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

twining her arms around his neck. as
to interpose her slight. form between
him and any danger. ''They are watch
ing for you and will kid you. l heard
them swear to do it,"
.'ThemP Is there more than one bent
upon murderP"
Eyes, 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.
ave will battle them yet. Which way
shall we go?"
"Give me your hand. sir. I know
every inch of the woods and (still
sobbing) | will die before they shall do
you any harm"
Turning aside from the road the girl
led him swiftly along winding and
brush-tangled path until an opening
was reached, one so unexpected so I'M
pleasantly suggestive. that Manton in
voluntarily paused and exclaimed:
This is grave yard! Why did you
bring me here?"
at is the safest place and-and
often come here to l,ide-sometmes 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"
80. sir, there is nothing TO harm
me-" she answered with flashing eyes,
as the word dear" 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 at 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 shantes 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 ther
stole silently along. and the grl
breathcd audible thanks when the last
of the rude dwellings, were passed.
Now" she said. cheerly, all is
well. and"
The sound of hoarse voices and
shutting. unsteady feet came to their
ears-came both from the front and
rear-then with a 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 a dozen reckless men stagger.
cd 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 anu
fairly Kissed in the violence of hel
, anger.
Dare to touch him and l will xii
{ you, Tom Armstrong"
A brutal laugh was the only answer
and she would have been seized ant
+ thrown aside or worse had not Mantor
shielded her with his body. and draw
i, ing his revolvers 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 yol
r all de serve, but do not wish to stair
my hands in the blood of towards
Out of the way and let me pass or tax,
the consequences.
Members of the same order--on,
formed for the most base and deadl,
purposes, a peculiar whistle and mo
: ton of the hand was all that was nee
n essary to make them act in concert
| Drawing nearer and nearer as wolves
; to simultaneously spring upon som,
It noble game, the men circled arounC
their destined victim. He saw his dan
ger, but could not avoid it; feared TIN
O consequences more for the brave
: warm-hearted girl than himself and de
: termined to sell his life dearly.
Beware how you come a step near
g err" he Numbered. aiming his weapon
k at the leader. for you will be The frs
J. to fall
l. Alas! he could not defend himsel
: against all. A heavy bar Of iron wa
o hurled at him from behind. 1t siruc
e the arm with which the pistol wa
IS extended. and it dropped to his side
d broken and useless; dropped. leaving
z him at the mercy of those whose heart
/. knew no such feeling. In anothe
n breath the vilIainous gang had rushe
+ upon him, had pinioncd his arm an
were dragging him toward the quarry
h With all her strength the girl tough
W for him. fought as wildcat with tn
rs weapons given her by nature. wit
c. teeth and nails. She was again an
I'd again dashed aside. and when she sa,
ID Manton held by inhuman hands. wher
single foot would precipitate hr
e. down hundreds of yards upon ragge
to stones. she sank faint.ng. and her heal
lc almost ceased its beating.