The Trail of Conflict

hree persons in the library at the Manor. Outside an ice-tipped vine struck with a ghostly tap! tap! tap! against the diamond-paned window. Geraldine sat beside Peter Courtlandt. Steph

throat with a force which sent a premonitory thrill down the spines

e possession and management of my ranch in the State of Wyoming not later than three months after my decease and live there one year with his wife Geraldine Glamorgan Courtlandt. And on the further condition that his said wife, during said year, shall refuse to receive inc

and looked over the edge of his

ntil I know your decision, Stephen. If your father will take me t

I refuse to accede to the condition

eyes were fixed on the interlacing fingers which lay passively on the lap of her black gown. "Talk with him, Jerry. Don

till a fountain of sparks sputtered up the chimney. Then he backed up against the mantel and with a face from wh

dition followed that I was to live on the ranch for a year-nothing but a mad sense of freedom thrilled me. I would be my own man once more,

ized for the first time the sacrifice of pride and happiness he

ve your marri

d at her

le thing by involving you? I wouldn't take you if you would go. You married me for

s, I shall g

nfession you would starve

ant this

anted anything-exce

ened at hi

all go with you. I shall fulfil my part of the conditions a

and pulled her to her feet beside him.

ghshares if you thought duty called; she's righ

o any more than you care to have me," bitterly, "but-but I promised. Uncle Nick knew what he was doing when he made me read that marriage service, 'and

l your fa

had her hands in his and drew her back

have what the miners use

er consent t

all that need concern you," with exasperated frankness. He flushed darkly at her tone, dropped her hands, and touch

ns Glamorgan was with them. His face was deeply

e, I tell you. Steve doesn't need that-that old mischief-maker's money," his voice bro

ghter with the fact that she need not take her marriage vows literally. I a

Courtlandt prot

of her face and throat. The only color about her was the viv

to please you. Now I shall interpret my marriage vows to please myself." She was most lovely as she defied him. His green eyes contracted to emerald sp

everything. Ask Steve for it? I can see you. Come, Jerry, gi

the Courtlandts Jerry looked like her father. There wa

? It is as though Steve and I had come up against an enormous sign-post bearing the startling information, Road Closed: Detour. The detour may be hard going

ghtly on her shoulders and looked

hat I have will be settled unreservedly on you. You w

you will consider yourself in a position to snap your fingers at the Glamorgans

te terms to one member of the family. Mr. Lawso