"This woman - I needn't tell you her name now, for she has several," he went on to Minnie."This woman and I were once engaged to be married.She was younger then - and - different.But she began drinking and - well, she became impossible.Believe me," he said, turning to the figure beside him, "I don't want to tell this, but I've got to square myself.""Yes," and the other's voice was broken."I may as well give up now as later.If anything can be saved out of the wreck - my wreck - go to it! Shoot, kid! Tell the worst! I'll stand the gaff!""Well, that makes it easier," resumed Blossom."We were going to be married, but she got in with a fast crowd, and I couldn't stand the pace.I admit, I wasn't sport enough.""I'm glad you weren't," murmured Minnie, her breast heaving.
"The result was," went on Blossom, "that she and I separated.It was as much her wish as mine - toward the end.And she married a Frenchman with whom she seemed to be fascinated.""Yes, he sure had me hypnotized," agreed the blonde woman."It was more my fault than yours, Lee.Perhaps if you'd taken a whip to me, and made me behave - Some of us women need a beating now and then.But it's too late now." Of a sudden she seemed strangely subdued.
LeGrand Blossom went on with the sordid tale.
"Well, the marriage didn't turn out happily.It was - ""It was hell! I'm not afraid to use the word!" interrupted the blonde."It was just plain, unadulterated hell! And I went into it with my eyes open.That's what it was - hell! I've had such a lot here on earth that maybe they'll give me a discount when I get - well, when I get where I'm going!" and she laughed, but there was no mirth in it.
Minnie shuddered, and drew nearer to LeGrand.And it did not seem to be because of the chill night wind, either.
"It was the same old story," went on the clerk."No need of going over that, Minnie.It doesn't concern the question now.In the end the Frenchman cast her off, and she had to live, somehow.She came to me, and I, for the sake of old times, agreed to help her.I didn't think I was doing anything wrong; but it seems I was.I thought the rare and expensive book publishing business she said she was in was legitimate.Instead it was - ""Yes, it was a blackmailing scheme!" interrupted Morocco Kate, not without some curious and perverted sense of pride."I admit that.I got you in wrong, LeGrand, but it wasn't because I hated you, for I didn't.I really loved you, and I was a fool to take up with Jean.But that's past andgone.Only I didn't really mean to make trouble for you.I thought you might be able to wiggle out, knowing business men as you did.""Instead," said the clerk, "I only became the more involved.It began to look as though I was a partner in the infernal schemes, and she and those she worked with held the threat over my head to extort money from me.""Believe me, LeGrand, I didn't do that willingly," interrupted Morocco Kate."The others had a hold over me, and they forced me to use you as their tool.They bled me, as I, in turn, bled you.Oh, it was all a rotten game, and I'm glad the end's at hand.I suppose it's all up now?" she asked Blossom.
"The end is, as far as it concerns you and me," he said."I'm going to confess, and take my medicine.Minnie, I've lied to give this woman money to prevent her exposing me.Now I'm through.I've told my last lie, and given my last dollar.Thank God - who has been better to me than I deserve - thank God! I'm still young enough to make good the money I've lost.The lies I can't undo, but I can tell the truth.I'm going to confess everything!""Oh, LeGrand!" cried Minnie, and she held out her hands to him."Not - not everything!""Yes, the whole rotten business.That's the only way to begin over again, and begin clean.I'll come through clean!""Oh !" murmured Minnie."It will be so - so hard!""Yes," and LeGrand gritted his teeth, "it isn't going to be easy; but it'll be a bed of roses compared to what I've been lying on the last year.This woman had such a hold on me that I couldn't clear myself before - that is, clear myself of grave charges.But now I can.This is the end.I can prove that I wasn't mixed up in the Roswell de luxe book case, and that's what she's been holding over me.""The Roswell case!" faltered Minnie.
"Yes, you don't know about it, but I'll tell you, later.Now I'm free.This is the end.I came here to-night to tell her so.How you happened to follow me I don't know.""I didn't follow, LeGrand.It was all an accident.""Then it's a lucky accident, Minnie.This is the end.From now on - ""Yes, it's the end!" bitterly cried the other woman."It's the end ofeverything.Oh, if I could only make it the end for Jean Carnot, I'd be satisfied.He made me what I am - an outcast from the world.If I could find Jean Carnot - "And then, with the suddenness of a bird wheeling in mid air, the blonde woman turned and rushed away in the darkness.
For an instant Colonel Ashley hesitated in his hiding place.And then he murmured:
"I guess you'll keep, LeGrand Blossom, and you, too, Minnie Webb.Morocco Kate needs watching.And I think, now, she'll lead me right where I've been wanting to go for a long time.The darkness is fast fading away," which was a strange thing to say, seeing that the night was blacker than ever.
Back on the desolate moor, near the bridge under which the black tide was now hurrying, murmuring and whispering to the rushes tales of the deep and distant sea, stood two figures.
"Do you believe in me, Minnie?" asked the man brokenly.
There was a pause.The murmuring of the tide grew louder, and it seemed to sing now, as it rose higher and higher.
"Do you?" he repeated, wistfully.
"Yes," was the whispered reply."And, Lee, I'll help you to come through - clean! I believe in you!"And the tide washed up the shores of the creek so that, even in the darkness, the white sands seemed to gleam.
