Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-04-22

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:" What are you going to do with that
man?n
came from the top of the cliff opposite the
fire. There, clad in white and thrown by
the blaze in full relief against the dark back
ground of foliage, stood female figure
My own first thought was, A ghosti A
similar thought prevailed with the party.
Not word was spoken for some seconds.
They stood there silent and staring.
What are you going to do with that
man" again demanded the apparition.
forgNttsn Sis are youa asked He had
Setter.
''No matter who l am, now, Mr.. Setter,
demand your release OF that man. was the
reply
Its the gal at Pratt'sl' said a voice,
which ! recognized as Long Macs.
The ghost was laid. The committee felt
somewhat easier. Still this was a serious in
terruption to business" :
Miss, we amt agoing to do the young
man any hurt" said one of the committee,
the readiest az recovering his wits. "Were
only here for sociable little time and
That's lie!" came from Blanches lips
with vigor which savored of her piratical
uncle
Miss, now you'd better go kome," said
Long Mac, i'll the tone he would have as
sumed toward child. 'This is no place for
you. / wonder you dare resk yourself in
these woods, where there's bears and Cali
forny Hons
Bears answered Blanche, contempt
uously. "All bears are not grizzliesi 1
know you mean that man some mischief
Now, release him"
''Shan't do it." roared gruff voice $50
home yourself. Eff you was my wife or
darter I'd start we blamed quick where We
belong Go about yer biznessl"
That's just what l am doing" replied
Blanche.
She had weapon from the folds of her
dress in a twinkling, its shining barrel flash
ing by the freight before the eyes of the as
tonished party below.
The first man of you that moves his hand
for his weapon and Ill fire into the crowd"
said she. Il think | can handle this pistol
well enough for that They called me good
shot at the gallery in New York, and had
smaller targets and much farther off than
those have now"
by - she's got the drop on us, an she'll
do as she says" muttered one of the COM
mittee, who now seemed to feel uncomfort-
able; 'its in her eye."
As the party stood with the fire burning
behind them, their figures were thrown in
bold relief against its light, and the least
movement was visible to Blanche
'Now, gentlemen" she continued, "busi-
ness, you know l suppose you think this is
all very wrong for woman But as there
seems no man here to take defenseless
mans part, why, a woman had to do it.
Whatever John Holder has done, whether he
be guilty or not of the charges against him,
is not to be found out by taking him from
his bed at night and carrying him into these
woods to maltreat and torture him. That's
neither justice, fairness, nor decency,
and you gentlemen know it now
that You take moment to think it
over Would you do what you propose
to do to him before his mothera
Would you do it before your own mothers9
You have forgotten yourselves, gentlemen.
Kick over that kettle of tar and go home,
and you will feel more like men tomorrow y
The committee were irresolute Blanche
stood there rigid, her eyeupon them and her
pistol ready
The tension was becoming painful. No
jury's verdict was ever more eagerly
awaited
sCome gentlemen you will take the gag
from that mans mouth and then leave him.
she said, in accents more winning than those
in which she had first spoken. You will, I'm
sure?'
Let the gal have her own way" said one
=. -
crack in the dam to be undermined.
Don't believe in bein' humbugged by a
woman was the remark from the commit
teeman, who had previously preached his
rigorous views as to marital and family dis
cipline.
won't she rouse the whole Bar whether
we go or not! Anyway, I've got enough for
one night" was the reply.
She did not stir from her post or uncock
her pistol Evidently she held herself in
readiness either for war or persuasion.
Some one pulled the gag from my mouth
low. One hastily returned, remarking as he
glanced up at Blanche, "'Scuse me, miss, but
we forgot this. He seized the demijohn
and bore it off
"Mr. Sefter Mr.. Sefterln called out
Blanche.
Setter forgot his disguise and stopped
''Why, it is really you, Mr.. Setter" said
Blanche Setter pulled himself up for an
other start as if he was anxious to get away
from the locality of so many laundering self
revelations. Mr. Setter, when next you
organize a conspiracy remember that the
walls of cloth houses near together have very
large ears-that is, when a woman's inside
one of them, was Blanche's parting remark.
"Yesm,n answered Setter, in the tone of q
corrected child, as he went stumbling off
with the demijohn.
They were gone. Blanche and myself stood
facing each other. The situation was embar-
RAISING. Perhaps some lingering fiend of like
spirit with the committee popped into my
head the thought: Should / now exclaim in
the gush of the old-fashioned novel, 'sMy pre-
server! How can | thank your etc. was
irritated now at being Saved" by Blanche
Seton.
But had soon to do something. noticed
that Blanche was unsteady on her feet She
caught at sapling stood there a moment,
and then sat down.
She was suffering from the ordeal she had
undergone and the nervous relaxation that
must follow such extreme tension.
| gained the cliff summit She was weak
almost unable to stand, and said on my proffer
of assistance: "You must see me home,
believe"
CHAPTER XVIII
FOLLY.