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"Kells," began Cleve, in low, hoarse tones, as he stepped forward

with a gun "I' to kill you--and Joan--and myself!"

Kells stared at Cleve "Go ahead Kill irl, too

That'll be better for her now But why kill yourself?"

"I love her She's ed Joan flung herself before

him

"Kells--listen," she whispered in swift, broken passion "Jim Cleve

was--my sweetheart--back in Hoadley We quarreled I taunted hih--even to be bad He left ed Next day I trailed him I wanted to fetch him backYou

remember--how you met me with Robert--how you killed Roberts? And

all the rest?When Jim and I met out here--I was afraid to tell

you I tried to influence hiot to Alder

Creek There he ild Ito steady hi--ere separated fro took the stage Gulden

and his gang held up the stage They thought you had put us there

We fooled the

to tell--that you'd let us goAnd no--"

Joan had not strength to go on The thought of Gulden made her

faint

"It's true, Kells," added Cleve, passionately, as he faced the

incredulous bandit "I swear it Why, you ought to see now!"

"My God, boy, I DO see!" gasped Kells That dark, sodden thickness