Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/67

 that was as private as a railroad terminal and that had almost as much traffic."

"Jesus!" he cried. "And I thought you were a decent woman!" There was no denying his utter amazement.

"What decent woman would want you," she asked, "smelling as you do of the stable? Yet you shudder because you believe I am soiled."

"Get out of my house!" he cried.

"That is the pleasantest speech you have ever made," said she. "I cannot leave too soon."

He moaned: "And I have done everything for you."

"You tried to make an earth-worm of me," she declared bitterly. "Had I been able to burrow into the ground I might have been happy."

"I wonder if your brother knows the kind of a woman you are," he reflected.

"If you write and tell him," said she, "I will kill you."

"She won't have to bother," broke in Monty Camp. "I'll see that it is done professionally. I have several acquaintances who are always willing to carve for a friend. They are very efficient, but unfortunately they have a leaning toward torture. One little squawk from Mr. Meigs may prove to be his death rattle."

Yekial licked his dry lips. His face had taken on an ashen hue. He had no great bodily bravery. He dreaded death. He was as fond of his life as if it amounted to something.

"I won't speak," he managed to assure them finally. "And I am glad you are going away. I shall be well rid of you."

Impulsively Mary sprang forward. She threw her arms about his neck. "Kiss, me good-bye," she whispered. "There isn't any reason for us to part enemies."

As he reluctantly obeyed, her soft lips pressed against his with such ardor that he trembled. Again and again she kissed him.

"Now are you glad I am leaving you?" she asked finally.

"No! No!" he cried frantically. "My God, don't go! Stay! I don't care if you have a thousand lovers."

But she was possessed of a devil at that moment. She was utterly wanton, utterly without feeling.

"If I had a thousand lovers," she told him, "there wouldn't