She flushed, but continued, "It simply occurred to me that if you
aren't strong enough to handle your own throat, you're not strong
enough to beat a man who has mastered his."

Glenister looked at the whiskey a moment, then set it back on the
tray.

"Bring two lemonades," he said, and with a laugh which was half a
sob Cherry Malotte leaned forward and kissed him.

"You're too good a man to drink. Now, tell me all about it."

"Oh, it's too long! I've just learned that the girl is in, hand
and glove, with the Judge and McNamara--that's all. She's an
advance agent--their lookout. She brought in their instructions to
Struve and persuaded Dex and me to let them jump our claim. She
got us to trust in the law and in her uncle. Yes, she hypnotized
my property out of me and gave it to her lover, this ward
politician. Oh, she's smooth, with all her innocence! Why, when
she smiles she makes you glad and good and warm, and her eyes are
as honest and clear as a mountain pool, but she's wrong--she's
wrong--and--great God! how I love her!" He dropped his face into
his hands.

When she had pled with him for himself a moment before Cherry
Malotte was genuine and girlish but now as he spoke thus of the
other woman a change came over her which he was too disturbed to
note. She took on the subtleness that masked her as a rule, and
her eyes were not pleasant.