Page:MacGrath--The luck of the Irish.djvu/301

 By this time he believes you've eloped with Camden."

"Camden?"

"Why, yes. Camden's the cleverest man in his way I know. When you ran away I sent him after you. I gave him your photograph. And here you are!"

"Camden!" she repeated, dully.

"Yes. Can't you see that you've eloped with him?"

"With my luggage on board and all my money with Mr. Grogan? Nobody will believe that."

"Sometimes women run away without their hats. You were coming to me with little else. Your Irishman will prove a human being like the rest. I shouldn't wait too long for him. Good night."

Her hell now became a definite one. Some night he would come in wine, and then God help her!

On the tenth night he did come in wine. He walked toward her without parley, and she saw what lay in his eyes. She prayed silently and ran around behind the bed. He ran after her, laughing. She drew out a hatpin and struck at him blindly. It bit deeply into his arm, but he was too deep in wine to feel the pain. He caught her by the wrist and wrenched the pin from her grasp, and tossed it out of the window. The second hatpin was not long in following.

She fought him like a tigress. She buried her teeth in his hand, scratched and kicked him. She