As she did so she heard a girl's voice
pleading in alarmed tones:
"Let me pass! You must let me pass!"
"Not until I get some money out of you--or somebody!" exclaimed the
rough voice of a man.
"I tell you I haven't any money!"
"Well, you know who has. Come on, I want it."
There was a sound of breaking sticks, as if the man had taken a step
nearer the girl. She retreated, and this brought her into view of
Cora.
It was Ida Giles!
Cora leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the man. She was startled
to see that he was that good-for-nothing Lem Gildy.
"Come on," growled Lem, "fork over some cash."
"I haven't any. Oh, please, Lem, let me pass!"
He took another step toward her with outstretched hands, and Ids
shrank back. She screamed, but Lem only sneered.
"No one'll hear you," he said. "Come on, I must have money, or I'll
tell some things I know."
Cora was hidden from the two by a screen of bushes, and on the dirt
of the road, with her car running at low speed, they had not heard
her.
Lem laid his hand on Ida's wrist.
"Let me alone!" she screamed. "Help! help!"
Cora saw a stout stick lying on the ground. With hardly a thought
of what she was doing she caught it up and stepped forward.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206