g but not barring the door.

Allie put her hand to her lips. They were bleeding. She tasted her own
warm and salty blood. Then there was born in her something that burned
and throbbed and swelled and drove out all her vacillations. That blow
was what she had needed. There was a certainty now as to her peril, just
as there was imperious call for her to help herself and save herself.

"Neale or Larry will visit Durade's," she soliloquized, with her pulses
beating fast. "And if they do not come--some one else will... some man I
can trust."

Therefore she welcomed Durade's ultimatum. She paid more heed to the
brushing and arranging of her hair, and to her appearance, than ever
before in her life. The white of her throat and neck mantled red as she
exposed them, intentionally, for the gaze of men. Her beauty was to be
used as had been her mother's. But there would be some one who would
understand, some one to pity and help her.

She had not long to meditate and wait. She heard the heavy steps and
voices of men entering the room next hers.

Presently Durade called her. With a beating heart Allie rose and pushed
open the door. From that moment there never would be any more monotony
for her--nor peace--nor safety. Yet she was glad, and faced the room
bravely, for Neale or Larry might be there.

Durade had furnished this larger place luxuriously, and evidently
intended to use it for a private gambling-den, where he would bring
picked gamesters. Allie saw about eight or ten men who resembled miners
or laborers.

Durade led her to a table that had been placed under some shelves which
were littered with bottles and glasses. He gave her instructions what
to do when called upon, saying that Stitt would help her; then motioning
her to a chair, he went back to the men. It was difficult for her to
raise her eyes, and she could not at once do so.

"Durade, who's the girl?" asked a man.

The gambler vouchsafed for reply only a mysterious smile.

"Bet she's from California," said another. "They bloom like that out
there."

"Now, ain't she your daughter?" queried a third.

But Durade chose to be mysterious. In that he left his guests license
for covert glances without the certainty which would permit of brutal
boldness.

They gathered around a table to play faro. Then Durade called for
drinks. This startled Allie and she hastened to comply with his demand.
When she lifted her eyes and met the glances of these men--she had a