hose harsh,
exposed springs she fell. Then he sprang on her a new surprise.

"How dare you wear them rings? They was your mother's rings. I bought
and paid for 'em. They're mine."

"Oh, don't take them off," she begged. "You can keep the money----"

"Sure I can keep the money," he grinned, wrenching from her fingers
the plain gold band he had given her mother as a wedding ring, as well
as another, bigger, broader, showier, and set with two infinitesimal
white points claiming to be diamonds.

Though he had released her hands, she now stretched them out toward
him pleadingly. "Aw, give 'em back to me. They'se all I've got in the
world to care about--just because she wore 'em. You can take anything
else I've got----"

"All right, then. I'll take this."

With a deftness which would have done credit to a professor of
legerdemain he unbuckled the strap of her little wrist-watch, putting
the thing into his pocket.

"I give that to your mother too. You don't need it, and it may be
useful to me. What else have you got?"

She struggled to her feet. He was growing more dangerous than she had
ever known him to be even when he had beaten her.

"I ain't got nothin' else."

"Oh, yes, you have. You gotta purse. I seen you with it. Where is
it?"

The fear in her eyes sent his toward her jacket, thrown on the chair
when she had come in. With an "Ah!" of satisfaction he pounced on it.
As he held it upside down and shook it, a little leather wallet
clattered to the floor. She sprang for it, but again he was too quick
for her.

"So!" he snarled, with his glittering grin. "You thought you'd get it,
did you?" He rattled the few coins, copper and silver, into the palm
of his hand, and unfolded a one-dollar bill. "You must owe me this
money. Who's give you bed and board for the last ten year, I'd like to
know? How much have you ever paid me?"

"Only all I ever earned--which you stole from me."

"Stole from you, did I? Well, you won't fling that in my face any
more." He handed her her coat. "Put that on," he commanded.

"What for?" She held it without obeying the order. "What's the good o'
goin' out and me without a cent?"

"Put it on."

Her lip quivered; she began to suspect his intention. "I do' wanta."

"Oh, very well! Please yourself. You got your hat on already."
Seizing her by the shoulders he steered her toward the door. "Now
march."

Though she refused to march, it was not difficult for him to force
her.

"Th