Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

50 THE GIRL WHO DARED. Guilt does not like to be seen; darkness suits it better, and the men look at one another in a kind of sudden alarm. ‘‘Apply the fire,’’ says one, gruffly. ‘‘Not just yet,’’ comes in a quiet voice. The match drops to the earth, and expires without accomplishing its purpose. Who has spoken? Bob need not ask the question, for he sees that cloaked figure advance. It is Gypsy. The two men appear dumfounded; they utter no word, nor is there an attempt made at flight. Bob chuckles as he imagines their feelings; she would not be in their shoes and face that indignant girl for worlds. ‘Ralph Rollins, I did not expect you to sting the hand that fed you. This is rank treachery—you are an ingrate!”’ The man cowers under her stinging words; it is like a lash applied. ‘Who is this miserable fellow, this wretch who has tempted you to betray your friends? I ought to know—I will know.”’ As quick as the words she speaks, Gypsy Gordon strikes a match and holds it so that the light flashes upon their faces; the action is so unexpectedly sudden that they do not have the sense to draw back. ‘‘Amos Peterman, and here! This is some more of the same work I unearthed last summer at Denver. You follow me even here. Once for all, tell me why this hatred—why this desire for revenge? I never wronged you—it is against my nature to wrong any CoOnnicoooks.(conn