The Russellville Democrat., 1893-06-22
Copriyat, ISgg, BIZ Charles King }
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east distressing, Fanny aud Ruth
still chung to one another, the latter
at the sound Of the voice
from without. But Fanny had
quickly, eagerly raised her head to
listen. For a moment no reply was
made. Then came the impatient
query:
"Harvey, 90 you hear7 You
have no time to lose. You have but
a minute in which to answer"
Major" he burst forth at last
in an agony of doubt, you hear
what they say, you see how | am
fixed. If | were here alone you
would never need to ask my ser
vices. I'd fight with you to the
bitter end; but think of my father
my mother, if anything befall my
sisters. Can nothing be donei'
From the lips Of the stricken pay
master tbore came only groan in
reply.
II rear ne cannot hOlu Oul lung
Mr.. Harvey" muttered the clerk.
81 doubt if he heard or understood
you"
We'll, Why not let them have the
safe if they'll guarantee that that is
all they want7 How much have
you therel l feel sure my father
would make it good"
There's over twenty-five
thousand dollars, Mr.. Harvey"
"Well, if it was only twenty five
cents, Mr.. Ned Harvey, all I've got
to say is, devil wan of them would
they get 50 long as could load a
shot or pull trigger Go you if
YOU will take the leddies by all
means if you think it safer; but
before I'd trust the wan sister |
ever had-God rest her soul-to the
promise of any such BLACKBOARD
party as this, I'd bury my knife in
her throat. "
An awful stiffness followed Feeny's
words. For an instant there was no
sound but quick beating hearts, the
mntterings and complainings of poor
Mullan, staggering about in search
Of his carbine, the quickened breath
and low moaning of poor old
Plummer. Then again came the
loud hail from without.
"Once more, Ned Harvey, will
you come out and be saved, or stay
there and roast7 Surrender now
and you re all right; but, by the
God oe heaven, if you refuse, it's
the last chance for you or those you
we're fool enough to bring here.
Think for your sisters, man. There's
no hope for one Of you if you delay
another minute. "
And then it was woman's voice
tremulous, but clear.
"Ned, wasn't it to save us that
Mai. Plummer seut his menu Wasn't
it for our sake be gave up all his
escortf"
sit was, Fan, yes; at least he
thought so.
"And now you would desert him,
would you3-leave him TO be muir
dered by these robbers, the worst
gang we ever had or heard of. |
say you shall not. for one will not
20 into their hands. Ruth cannot
go without me. Stay and fight it
out, Ned, or you're not your fathers
son."
"Fan! Fan! you're trump God
bless your brave heart ~ cried Har
yey. "It seemed cowardly to go,
yet the responsibility was more than
l could bear"
"May the saints in Heaven smile
on your purity face for all eternity !"
Feeny, in a rapture of de-
light. "The young Teddy is right,
MIR. Harvey, though it wasn't for
me to say it. Shure you can't trust
those scoundrels, they'd stab ye in
the back, sir, and rob you of your
pretty sisters and drag them away
before your dying eyes. That man
Pasqual is a devil, sir; nothing less.
ohure Wen fight till rescue comes,
for come it will l tell you the boys
are squirting toward us, hell TO split,
from every side now, and we'll whale
.hese scoundrels yet. +"
Then from without came the final
nail:
"What answer, Harvey Now
n never"
$50 to thunder, you son of an
lpe and worse than q Greaser ~
'elled Feeny. off you had a dhrop
If Irish blood in your veins ye'd
never ask the question. Now if you
hink you can take this money, here's
our chance. No Harvey ever went
Jack on his friends"
Even brain-muddled Mullan felt a
impulse to cheer at Feeny's
answer. Even poor old
'lummer gave a half-stiAed cry.
POSSIBLY he dreamed that rescue was
t hand; but there was little time
or rejoicing Sprineing back
whence he came, the unseen ennis
airy was heard shouting some order
o his fellows. The next instant the
lies began their cracking on both !
ides, and the bullets with furious
pat drove deep into the adobe or
7hizzed through the gunny-sacks
nto the barley The unseen foe was
nee more investing them ON every
ide, and not shot could be wasted !
n return. Once more the furious