The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-11-05
Five minutes later she was on Jen-
ny's back, tearing down the gravelly
drive like mad.

In the warm, rich glow Of the Sum
mer day, Phil Meredith was riding
toward Waltham with Brand'ts mon
ey hid away in his belt
1t was ten miles to the village
wild, lonely road with one long
stretch of wood where :he shadow:
always lay dark and deep
Perhaps he had the start Of Esti
/ by fifteen minutes. But he rode rap
idly. The banks were closed at four
Besides, he was anxious to get bach
to HOLLYWOOD as quickly as possible
He reached the lonely stretch oI
wood 1t shut him in For all the
sun Law in the heavans above like g
great red ball, dark, cool shadows fill.
ed the silent wood
The bushes grew close to the road
on either hand, almost meeting above
it. Suddenly a sharp, rustling, crash
ing sound in the underbrush, and a
man leaped into the narrow road, and
caught the bridle-rein in yice-like
grip.
Phil drew back in sharp recoil.
He sent a single sweeping glance
over at his horses head. 1t was a
big burly fellow whose entire face
was hidden under 4 mask of black
Grape
Pills purpose was taken in an
instant. He tore a pistol from his
pocket, and aimed straight at the vii
lain's heart.
Stand aside" he thundered, "or
III put bullet through your carcas. :"
TRY it," screamed the man, with
a loud, sneering laugh.
Phil's finger was on the trigger
He hesitated an instant, as if TO give
the mocking devil last chance
Then the hammer fell into its place.
There was sharp, cracking sound,
but no explosion.
He knew the truth in an instant
his pistol had been tampered with.
The man laughed louder than be-
fore. He leaned forward quickly A
sharp report rang on the air. Phil
realed dizzily in the saddle. Club
bing his weapon he made last fran
tic effort to deal the william crush
ing blow.
In vain-all in vain. \ sudden
mist swung before his eyes. He
staggered, groped blindly, and tnm-
bled headlong to the dirty road
He felt the williams grip on his
throat cruel fingers tore into the
quivering flesh tie thud of horses
hoofs sounded like thunder in his ear;
he gave long, long, gasping sigh,
and knew no more.
1t was Esta who tore up the road
like mad the next instont She took
the terrible scene at a glance. Phil
lay white and helpless in the dust,
and a masked william was bending
over him, his murderous fingers at
his throat.
She dropped from the saddle, and
ran forward.
Good God - she screamed. Dick
Hargraye have you killed him"
The villain turned. He sent one
flashing glance all over her ghastlv
face. A knife cleaned suddenly in
his hand.
You know me-" he Kissed. NO
matter you have come too late to
save your lover"
He said this with his hand shak-
ing wildly in the air. Another in
slant, and the knife would have de-
cended in the heart of bis would be
victim. But Esta was equal to the
emergency. Like flash she cover
ed Dick with a deadly rim of steel.
Hold ~ she screamed, This pis-
tol will not miss fire. | loaded it
with my own hands. You stir from
your tracks at your peril"
He paused and looked her straight
in the eyes / don't know what be
read there, but his hand dropped to
his side again. Even the wickedest
Of Gods creatures cling to life, 10th
to yield it up.
Put down that knife" said Esta,
in low, stern voice.
He flung it from him into the un-
derbush. Then he faced her sullen-
Iy.
Lower that Internal death-dealer, +"
be said, Il didn't want masters
don't want it now. But
that fellow" pointing to Phil. was
in my way. You loved him, and
would never have looked at me while
be lived"
and so you wrote that letter"
Esta broke out, eagerly. you knew
Phil would take the money to Wal
ham You meant TO waylay and |
murder him. and avert suspicion
rom yourself by stealing the money!''I
He did not answer. 4 devilish |
glitter was coming into his brigh |
black eyes. He glanced at Esta in a
way that sent the blood from her
leart.
She could not hold him at bay |
many minutes longer. In the nick
If time the lond roll of wheels echoed |
n the road. A wild, wild shrek
rose to her lips at the welcome
iound.
Help ! help.
A fearful curse broke from the baf-
led villain. He made 3 quick bound
oward her. She pulled the trigger.
Dicks right arm fell limp and useless
gainst his side.
Another curse, a moments hesita-
ion, and then, with a horrible baf-
led light in his ewes, he dashed into
hickest of the wood and disappear
d.
Deliverence was coming too near
Or him to do aught but make his es-
ape while escape was possible.
When carriage with two or three
talwart men in it.tore up to the spot
moment later, Esta was sobbing in
he road, with Pills head drawn up
nd resting upon her heart
He was not dead He had only
cen stunned and slightly wounded.
| brave woman's love and courage
ad been his safeguard.
Group.
Boil dozen stalks of lobeIia in one
int of water twenty minutes, then