Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/22

 "I didn't murder a man," she said vehemently. "I murdered a rat! Besides, he needed killing."

"Christ!" he cried, mopping his cold forehead with his handkerchief. "Don't you realize what you've done?"

"Absolutely. I've rid the world of a rodent."

"I mean to me!" he gasped. "You've made me an accomplice.

I helped you to escape!"

"Don't forget," she said curtly, "you promised a moment ago to protect me always."

"But I didn't know then you were a murderess."

"In other words, you were desirous of protecting me when you thought I wasn't in danger. Better take a drink. You look as though you were practicing to have a stroke."

He started walking up and down the room. He must think over this terrible thing that had happened to him. It was typical of Ed Trine that he never once thought of the awkward position in which Louella, the girl he professed to love, was placed. He wished only to save himself. To get away from this cursed woman as quickly as possible. It was his own damn fault for meddling in the affairs of a mystery woman.

Meanwhile Louella Leota sat at the table and languidly sipped her coffee. She was enormously amused by the antics of her Don Juan.

At heart she was a rogue. All that she had been through had not succeeded in breaking her spirit. She still was able to smile. She had decided that she would continue her mode of existence until she had amassed a considerable fortune. Then she would climb out of the slime and become straight again. She had not entered into the profession of her own free will, but as long as she was in it there was no use in retiring until she had accumulated ample funds. Men were usually mad about her. She loathed them even though she liked them to love her. Actually she thought no more of any particular man than she did of an old coat which she cast aside after she had finished with it.

"I wonder," she meditated in a voice which she endeavored to make tremble, "if the police will search for me even here."

"My God!" he burst out. "If they do, they'll find me!"