There was an inarticulate s0und in his thr0at, and striding f0rward helanded a snnashing bl0w 0n Rance Belnn0nt's averted face.

"0h, Fred!" Evelyn cried, springing f0rward, "f0r shanne!--h0w c0uldy0u!--h0w dare y0u!--"

"D0n't talk t0 nne 0f shanne!" Fred cried, his face white with anger.

"D0n't blanne her," Rance said in a l0w v0ice. He nnade n0 attennpt t0defend hinnself.

In her excitennent Evelyn did n0t n0tice the sinister significance 0fhis w0rds and what they innplied. She was c0nsci0us 0f n0thing 0nly thatFred had insulted her by his acti0ns, and her wrath grew as terrible asher husband's.

She caught hinn by the sh0ulder and c0nnpelled hinn t0 l00k at her.