The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-05
rgotten his assumed voice. It was Bill

forgotten his assumed voice. IL was l}il
Setter.
"No matter who am. now, Mr.. Setter,
demand your release of That man, was thu
reply.
'lls the gal at Pratts!H said voice
which recognized as Long Macs.
Tho ghost was laid The committee fell
somewhat easier. Still this was "A serious in
terTuption TO business"
"MsS, we amt agoing TO do the young
man any hurt said one of the committee
the rcadiest at recovering his wits Were
only here for n sociable little time and"
That's a lie" came from Blanches lip,
with vigor which savored Of her piratica
uncle.
Miss, now you'd better go home said
Long Mac, in the tone he would have as
sumed toward a 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 "Al bears are not grizzlies! |
know you mean that man some mischief,
Now, release him"
"Shan't do it," roared a grufY voice. Go
home yourself III You was my wife or
darter III start we blamed quick where ye
! belong Go about yer bizness"
That's just what | am doing replied
Blanche.
She had weapon from the folds Of her
dress in n twinklmg, its shining barrel flash
| ing by he freight before the eyes Of the as
tonished party below
"Thc first man Of you that moves hi, hand
for his weapon and I'll fire into the crowd"
! said she. II think can handle this pistol
we'll enough for that. They called me a good
shot AZ the gallery in New York, and ! had
smaller targets and much farther OFT than
those have now
by --- she's got the drop on MS an she'll
do as She says multered one OF the com
mittee. who now seemed to feel uucomfort-
able; cts in her eve
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 | suppose you think this is
all very wrong for a woman But as there
seems no man here to take defcnsees,
mans part why, q woman had to do it.
Whatever john Holder has done, whether he
b. guilty or not Of the charges against him.
is not to be found out by taking him from
his bel at night AMI carrying him into these
woods to maltreat and torture him. That's
neither justice, fairness, nor dccency,
aud You gentlemen know it now
that you take IA moment to think it
over Would you do what You propos!
to do to him before his mother'
Would you do it before your own mothers'
You have forgotten yourselves, gentlemen
Kick over that kettle Of tar and 30 home,
and you viii feel more like men tomorrow.
The committee were irreSolute. Blanche
stood there rigid, her eye upon them and he;
pistol ready,
The tension was becoming painful Nc
jury's verdict was ever more eagerly
awaited
Come, 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!n
Let the gal have her own way said one
This expression of opinion was as the first
crack in the dam To- be undermine !.
Don't believe in bein' hun'ugged by a
woman was the remark from the commit
teeman, who had previously preached his
rigorous views as to marital and family dis
cipline.
Wont 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
ner pistol Evidently she held herself in
readiness either for war or persuasion.
Some one pulled the gag from my mouth.
The committee filed slowly out of the hol
low. One hastily returned, remarking as he
glanced up at Blanche, Scuse me, miss, but
We forgot this" He seized the dem john
aud bore it off.
"Nlr sefterl Mr. Setter" 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
organiza a conspiracy remember that the
walls of cloth houses near together have very
large ears hat is, when "a woman, inside
one of them was Branches parting remark. !
"Yes'm," answered Setter in the tone Of
corrected child, as he went stumbling of
With the delnijohn.
Ihey were gone. Bllnch' ana myself StoO1
facing each other The situation wa, enbar- |
raising. Perhaps some lingering tiend of like
spirit with the committee popped into my
head the thought Should now eXclam in
the gllsh of the old fashioned novel, My pre-
server! How can | thank YOU etc | was
irrtated now at being saved by Blanche
Seton.
But had soon to do something ! noticed
that Blanche wa, unsteady on her feet. She |,
caught at a saplius, stood there moment !
and then sat down.
She was suffering from the ordeal she had
undergone aud the nervous relaxation that
must follow such extreme tension
gained the cliff summit. She was weak
almost unable to stand, and said on my protfer +
of assistance: you must see me home, |
believe"
ITO BE- Continued
o -