The Twins of Suffering Creek

so full of that allurement which ever claims all that is vital in man; the warm coloring of her delicately rounded cheeks, so soft, so downy; the perfect undulations of her strong young f

breathed hotly. "Y

hought of addressing her. He was almost powerless in his self-control before her beauty. And Jessie's conscience in its weakly life could not h

lf. Then, as his torrential kisses continued, sweeping her lips, her eyes, her cheeks, her hair, something like fear took hold of her.

to the higher spiritual side of the woman. The wonderful virility in her demanded life in the full flo

s such a refinement in the delicate chiseling of his well-molded features. His brows were widely expressive of a strong intellect. His nose possessed that wonderful aquilinity associated with the highest type of Indian. His cheeks were smooth, and of a delicacy which threw into relief the perfect model of the frame beneath them. His clean-shaven mouth and chin suggested

was something not yet for her to probe. He was one of Nature's anachronisms. She had covered a

s rarely equaled. But all that was almost forgotten, and this man, by reason of his manner, which was genial, open-hand

passed almost unobserved. Yet he was full of interest in the place, and contrived to learn much of its affairs and prospects. Having acquired all the information he desired, he suddenly set out to make himself popular. And his popularity was brought about by a free-handed dispensation of a liberal supply of money. Fur

Jessie and her husband, and it was astonishing how swiftl

such places, it ceased to wonder. It was too busy with its own affairs to concern itself to any great extent with the flotsam that drifted its way. Scipio wondered a little more than the rest, but his twin

h later, just as the monthly gold stage was preparing for the road, carrying with it a s

two weeks, staked out a claim for himself, and pursued hi

how it did not ring pleasantly. Besides, he showed a fresh side to his character. He drank heavily, and when under the influence of spirits abandoned his wel

But there was no regret when, finally, he vanished again from t

two guards were shot dead, and the driver mortally wounded. But fortunately the latter lived long enough to tell his story. He had been at

turned attention upon Lord James. Where was he? The question remained unanswered. Suspicions grew into swift conviction. Men asked each other who he was, and whence he came. There was no answer to any of their inquiries at first. Then, suddenly, news came to hand that the gang, no lo

tisfactory account of himself he had a poor chance with the furious citizens. The future dispatch of gold became a problem that exercised every mind, and for two months none left the place

. One man's name was in everybody's mind. His personality and doings concerned them almos

ilities. Yet he came again and again. His visits were paid in daylight, carefully calculated, even surreptitiously made. He sought the place secretly, b

d neither wish nor intention to resist. He reveled in the joy and excitement of pursuing this wife of another man, and had the camp bristled with an army of fighting men, and had the chances

She was only too ready to believe his denials of the accusations against him. She was only too ready to––love. The humility, devotion, the goodness of Scipio meant nothing to her. They were barren

hat composure necessary to carry out all that was in his mind. He checked a furt

Zip?" he

ted. The warm glow of her eye

claim," she sai

nodded app

oo

uresque. His glance satisfied him. There was not a living soul in view; not a sound except the prattle of the children who were still playing out

ess," the man went on, mak

It sounded suddenly terrible to her, and thrilled her with a rush of fear which set her shivering. And yet she knew that all

e. For the moment all that was best in her

s replaced by a fire of passion such as had always won its way with this girl. He moved towards her again with something subtly seductive in his manner, and his arms closed about her

at nothing else on earth counts. I ca

as homes go hereabouts. My ranch is a dandy place, and," with a curious laugh, "stocked with some of the best cattle in the country. You'll have horses to ride, and dresses––See! You can have all you want. What is there here? Nothing. Say, yo

e held her only at arms' length. Her swim

t. Those things don't count. It's––it's you. I––I don't

arted, terr

dn't you wait for me down in the bush at the river, as usual? O

"Let 'em try. But don't you worry, Jess. No one

, J

ng the embrace with all the fire with which he was consumed. And after that she spoke again. But

can't. I want my babies––my little boy and girl. You say you love me. I know you love me. Then take them with us, and––and I'll do as you wish. Oh, I'm wicked, I know. I'm wicked, and cruel, and vile to leave Scipio. And I don't want to, but––but––oh, Jim, say you'll take them, too. I can never be hap

he was waiting for his verdict, and, whatever it might be, she would have to abide by it. She knew she must do as he

ry impatience flash into his eyes, she saw this again replaced with a half-derisive smile. And each emotion she read in her own way, molding

nd a curious hardness set i

ide the creek––one for you, and one for me. We can't fetch those kiddies along with us now. It wouldn't be safe, anyhow. We've

will be up in arms when they know I've gone. You don't know

ghed cont

––shall stop me bringing 'em along to you." Then he chuckled in an unpleasant manner. "Say, it would tickle me to death to set these

han any other display could have done. It was this wonderful daring, this reckless, savage manhood that had originally won her. He was so different from all others, fro

dded joyously. "Yes, yes, you'll do it. I know i

upon her glowing face. Nature was rushing a strong flood tide.

lost to all those things which should have mattered to them. It was the fervid outpouring of two natures which had nothing th

glee. Two tiny mud-stained figures rushed at the doorway and fell sprawling into the hut. They were on their feet again in a mom

-up eyes were turned in their direction,

fi' 'p

two b

ly shrieked, to the accompaniment

ad held her. Just for one horrific moment she stood staring helplessly at the innocent picture of her four-ye

savage composition, he had a grain of humor; perhaps it was only the foo

color," piped Vada,

in agreement. "An'

nterruption had brought with it a realiz

s outside." Then he turned to Jessie. "Come on. We mu

ers. Something was gripping at her heart, and

ildish curiosity roused, and all her bea

n ominous silence. Then Jamie's treble blundered int

her' yo

tremulous lips, the yearning light in her eyes. In a moment he was an

r a dandy place where she can fetch you, so you can catch heaps an' heaps of bugs and spiders.

ging her exclamation gleefu

urmured her fa

the mother's face an

ng." Then he turned swiftly upon Jessie. "Where's y

a tone of almost hea

id, with a glance

need all his wits to combat. He passed into the inner room, and returned in a moment with the girl's bundle. And with his return one glance showed him how nearly his plans were upset. Jessie was clasping Jamie in her

could serve him, and he adopted the only course which his shrewd sense told h

'll carry him, and then I'll come back for Vada. It's not good. It's too hard on him, carrying him all that distan

ly. You're right––he––he couldn't make the journey with us. No, no, we––won't––take him now. Set him down, Jim. I'll go now, and you'll––you'll come back for them. Yes, ye

n spoke readily enough. It was so easy to

light could save her from breaking down altogether. And, thus impelled, she tore herself from the presence of the child

door he paused and glanced keenly around him. Then he breathed a sigh of relief. Not a

ayed round his young life, the child stretched out a chubby hand in

he observed

treasures, her tears already dried i

ed gleefully, squat

ad for

raiment. The girl was ahead, and, as she again came into his view, one thought, a

, had f

ay," cried Vada, p

iders," murmured

s began to run down the muddy channels on her downy chee

olled over and buried her wet face in the dusty ground and howled heart-brokenly. Then Jamie crawled