Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-10-31

i ing CAbiC iCL1o oduSCks WHICH, u AOW BEOWA
from Hector called her back to thoughts
of real life. Rising to her feet without
awakening her mother, Pauline proceed.
ed to the end Of the wagon, and draw
ing the canvas aside saw that covered
vehicle was passing along the road from
which their camp was several hundred
feet distant. She heard 1t halt, although
it had passed quite out Of sight.
In q few moments Hector's excited
manner, accompanied by angry growing
and barking, aroused Madam Morel, and
the two women became convinced that
some one must be approaching their
wagon.
"Who goes therei Halt, or IN frei"
cried Pauline, thrusting her head out Of
the wagon.
IA FRIEND" was the answer that came
quickly back. I'VE need help. Call of
the dog. Have you any spirits, one Of
our men is dying?"
Stand where you are" cried Pauline.
"T'll get you some in few moments."
The brave girl hastily wrapped shawl
about her shoulders, and seizing the bottle
which her mother had taken from q
locker began to unite the canvas at the
end Of the wagon.
LET me go, Pauline" cried Madam
Morel, 'it's better"
mo, no, little mamma" returned
Pauline, "you could do nothing with
Hector. He wouldn't mind you; stay
back"
Pauline sprang lightly down and ad-
vanced to meet the man whose figure
was dimly outlined in the moonlight
She noticed that Hector was strangely
quiet and that he staggered about In q
dazed away. When within q few feet
Of the man. who had until that moment
been standing behind clump Of bushes,
he bounded forward, and throwing his
arms around the girls waist muttered
between his teeth:
"Ah. my pretty one. you must go with
me! Don't be afraid: no harm viii come
to you"
For the first time Pauline now saw
that the man was masked Quivering
with rage at the foul deception which
had been played upon her, the girl felt
her muscles grow strong as iron.
Quick, mother, bring me . pistolT
she called out, and seizing the man by the
throat she gave him such convincing
proof oAher strength that he was forced
to let 60 her waist and lay hold Of her
wrist. Madam Morel. at sight Of her
daughter struggling with the masked
ruffian, made several attempts to reach
I her side. but her limbs bent under her,
Il AAAk
fell in heap.
Come, come. my pretty one" coaxed
the ruffian. whats the user We won't
hurt you. You shall be treated like .
lady and have the very best the land af-
! tords."
/ Pauline felt her strength gradually
failing. She realized that in a moment
more she would be completely at tho
mans mercy. The thought maddened
her; already her voice was gone. Her
few agonizing screams had destroyed its
force. She still kept up faint show Of
resistance, but slowly and gradually the
ruffian was dragging her toward the
vehicle. All seemed lost. Mother, faith
er, brother, even the handsome stranger,
fitted through her mind. The covered
vehicle was reached. and the ruffian
stopped to lift the hfeless girl into the
wagon, when the sharp report OF pistol
rang out She felt the mans hold relax,
and the next instant sank ifeless into =
pair of stout arms, which, gently en-
circling her, bore her back to her moth
er's side. She could not see the face Of
her rescuer, but instinctively she felt that
the handsome stranger was near her and
had now q double claim upon her heart.
Madam Morel was easily persuaded to
lie down again. but Pauline preferred to
sit beside "Mr Timely" and not until
the dawn showed him the soft CLEAN OF
her dark eyes did he spring lightly into
the saddle and ride away, promising that
q guard should be set upon the little
camp while 1t was without its defenders