Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-05-10

twining her arms around his neck. rs
to interpose her slight, form between
him and any danger. ''They are watch
ing for you and will kid you. heard
them swear to do it"
.'Themp Is there more than one bent
upon murderp'
"Yes, yes; half dozen. saw them
hiding behind the trees. Oh. heaven.
if they should kill you," and she burs,
into torrent of tears.
"softly, my poor child" he replied.
AS he smoothed the blood-damp hair.
1--WE will battle them yet. Which way
shall we go?'
"Givc me your hand, sir. I know
every inch of the woods and (still
sobbing) 1 will die before they shall do
you any harm"
Turning aside from the road the girl
led him swiftly along winding and
brush-tanglod path until an opening
was reached, one so unexpected. so un-
pleasantly suggestive. that Manton in
voluntarily paused and cxclaimed:
This is a grave yard! Why did you
bring me here?'
at is the safest place and-and
often come here to I,ide-somelmes to
sleep when | cant bear abuse and
blows any longer"
"Merciful heaven!" was answered in
establishment. sleep in grave yard!
My dear child this is terrible
30. sir, there is nothing to harm
me-" she answered with flashing eyes,
as the word ''dcar" was substituted for
poor" bad men never come here,
and lay my head on the grave of my
mother and dream about the angels.
Strong, resolute and interpretations
as he was. Charles Manton felt that he
would have dared very much before he
would have passed the night there. and
said:
"You do not intend to remain here?"
mot unless you wish, sir. We are
not far from the quarry, and by going
around can reach the tavern that wa"
Then let us 90 ut once. 1t is not
pleasant to be wandering in The
woods
He was thinking of what scandal
loving world would say to the situation;
she only of his safety. Again she led
him rapidly forward aud without
pause. until they stood upon the brink
of the quarry. stripped of trees. Upon
it were built the shantieS of many OF
the men, and the girl urged caution.
"The ones who would murder you
live here" she whispered. with sup
| pressed sobs. "If we can pass without
being discovered there will be little to
| fear"
AS though themselves guilty the
stole silently along. and the grl
breathcd audible thanks when the last
of the rude dwellings, were passed.
"Now." she said. cheerily, all is
well. and"
The sound of hoarse voices and
shufllng. unsteady feet came to their
ears-came both from the front and
rear-then with triumphant, brutal
laugh:
80, my lass. you thought you would
fool us and help your lover to escape.
But knew your old tricks. Close up.
on him, mates. and Wen teach the up.
start his place"
Half Il dozen reckless men stagger-
ed forward armed with bars. picks and
hammers. All of reason, all fear of
consequences was banished by strong
drink. Their minds contained but one
idea, and that was revenge. Each en-
couraged the other to some desperate
deed. With the first weapon she could
find the girl sprang before Manton and
fairly Kissed in the violence of her
anger.
''Darc to touch him and l will kill
you, Tom Armstrong"
A brutal laugh was the only answer,
and she would have been seized and
thrown aside or worse had not Manton
shielded her with his body, and draw
ing his revolvcrs commanded halt
Then no said in firm tones and with
out the least culver of nerves:
eff any OF YOU count death. come
on. A bullet in tn brain is what you
all de serve, but | do not wish to stain
my hands in the blood of towards
Out of the way and let me pass or take
the consequences.
Members of the same order--one
formed for the most base and deadly
purposes, a peculiar whistle and mo-
ton of the hand was all that was nee
essary to make them act in concert
| Drawing nearer and nearer as wolves
to simultaneously spring upon some
/ noble game. the men circled around
their destined victim. He saw his dan.
ger. but could not avoid it; feared the
, consequences more for the brave,
warm-hearted girl than himself and de
termined to sell his life dearly.
Beware how you come step near.
, er." he Numbered, aiming his weapon
< at the leader. for you will be the first
= to fall"
= Alas! he could not defend himself
against all. A heavy bar of iron was
D hurled at him from behind. 1t struck
, the arm with which the pistol was
s extended, and it dropped to his side.
1 broken and useless; dropped. leaving
, him at the mercy of those whose hearts
. knew no such feeling. In another
. breath the villainous gang had rushed
: upon him, had pinioned his arm anc
were dragging him toward the quarry
h With all her strength the girl fought
v for him. fought as wildcat with tho
s weapons given her by nature. will
!, teeth and nails. She was again ant
d again dashed aside. and when she saw
d Manton held by inhuman hands. where
single foot would precipitate hin
: down hundreds of yards upon ragge,
o stones. she sank faint;ng. and her hear
C almost ceased its beating.