Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-07-14

she said. AT this hour it seems not I'M
like the moan of a distressed spirit lost
upon these desolate wastes"
Philips reply was Il reaSsuring pres
sure of his arms. Mrs. Tolliver was
waiting patiently, with her hand upon
the doorknob. She had not forgotten
her own counting experiences. A. that
moment dim form passed before the
window so swiftly that Stella's unearthly
smile appeared to have suddenly mate
rallied. She turned and looked at
Stirling. He, too. seemed to be puzzled.
Then clamor of the dogs arose without
and other forms farther out upon the
prairie appeared as if from nothing and
seemed to scatter rapidly.
While Stirling still hesitated. hardly
knowing what to make of it all, an outer
door was heard to open and close softly.
Then the bolts were violently shot. Philip
started toward the Office door, when it
was suddenly opened. and Arizony. pale,
disheveled. staggered into the room. her
dark hair glistening with dew and i'll her
eyes wild. unnatural light. She came
at once to Stirling. noticing the other
two, and seized his hand.
Thank Goblin here!' she ex-
claimed in u suppressed, quivering tone.
But they're a-comin. they're a-comin!
You saved my mother once. leftenant,
and haven't forgot. Call your men up;
there's trouble a-comin. tell you! They
come all round ketchin me-"
While she paused, struggling for
breath. Stirling pressed button upon
the wall sharply and repeatedly.
THAT alarm will bring my men here
But what does this mean. Arizony? VIII
are you here3
-its eo,ae Of our own people," sail
the girl hurriedly. They've heard
about some money here-a-a-h-hr she
interrupted herself with q faint scream
as voices and footsteps suddenly sound
ed without. They're here; they mean
to rob, and they're ready for murder!
Her voice sank to q whisper that, how
ever, thrilled the three who heard. The
girl seemed nearly beside herself with
nervous excitement and dread. The two
ladies looked alarmed, yet said nothing
The steps and voices were close at hand.
Directly q window was smashed in mys-
teriously by unseen hands. At the same
time the door was burst open, and mot
ley crowd of seeming savages rushed in,
all armed and filed with hostile designs.
Arizony shrank behind Stirling. The
lieutenant fixed his eyes at once upon a
burly looking Indian who seemed to act
as the leader. Meanwhile the invaders
evinced signs Of establishment at the
sight of Arizony. But now there came
in through another door file of half
dressed soldiers, who gathered about the
lieutenant and the three women.
Don't FIRE until I give the word" said
Stirling to his men in low tone. "They
evidently thought to find the Office un-
guarded. and they are not Indians"
Meanwhile the disguised boomers con-
suited together in whispers. They had
expected little resistance, and that the
Office guard, if there was any, could be
overpowered without alarming the SOL
diers. or at least before they could get to
the spot. Instead. owing to Arizony's
warning. the entire little garrison were
present and ready for defense. Desperate
rs they were they were hardly prepared
to assault those who showed so deter.
mined front.
What is the meaning Of this masque-
rade?" demanded Stirling. facing them
pistol in hand. his head thrown back and
his blue eyes cleaning. II think already
know some Of you. YOU" pointing to
each In turn-''you are Wichita Dick,
you Chickasaw John. you Burl Yates
by -. men-he's rightw exclaimed
the last named. recklessly throwing his
fantastic headdress upon the floor. II
never more'n half believed in this rig any
way. 'speshly if there was any lights
about They've had warnin too. Else
what Is she doin hereY'
Hepointed to the girl. who shrank back
under his fierce gaze.
II thought you was In bed at home,
Arizony." said Chickasaw John reproach-
fully.
How could lay there" she whim-
pered. land let you all perhaps do muir
der?"
"This Is little rough, men," said Burl
mildly, yet with a lurking devil in his
eye. "for a mans own sweetheart to 60
back on him and his friends in any such
way. It's little rough and'-his tone
suddenly hardened-"there amt but one
way TO get even"
He suddenly leveled his pistol. but
Chickasaw John struck mp the weapon
Don't be brash, old man." he ex-
claimed. i've got q intruss in this girl
as well as you. Besides. what are we all
here for? We're two to ono US it is. and
there is where the money lies" He
pointed to tho safe. "Give up the COM
bination. leftenant. or we'll blow the
ID thing to pieces afore your eyes. and
that" with wave of the hand and a
sarcastic smile. that might scare the
ladies'"
A collision seemed to be inevitable.
The boomers gathered menacingly
around the knot of half armed soldiers.
In one corner crouched the two ladies of
the garrison. Arizony. with her eyes
fixed piteously upon her old lover. stood
at Strings elbow. The latter. ut this
crisis. was surprised to SEQ Miss Oberly
suddenly rise. trembling in every limb.
and point to Burl Yates.
II remember him now" she exclaimed.
He is the very man who led the gang
that robbed the stage. cannot DO mis-
taken. though at first was puzzled"
An oath from Yates and an agonizing
cry from Arizony were heard. The last
straw had been added to the poor girls
burden Of despair.
There came another uproar Of dogs
and a clatter Of horses hoofs outside at
this juncture. Then a dozen or more
men in citizens clothing ran into the
Office with pistols drawn. At their head
was Parson Tilney. his gray hairs flying.
his lean face sternly set and in his eyes
an unusual fire. He alone was unarmed
save for thick walking stick. but he
laid his hand boldly upon the naked
shoulder of Burl Yates.
81 arrest your he exclaimed, "for the
murder Of George Eakins in Virginny
IL years ago come next Aprile." Then
turning to the other boomers, drop
your we'pons. every mothers son Of
you!" he shouted.
Truly. the parson was developing some
very unministerial traits. A scene of
confusion ensued. Taken front and rear
the boomers became panic stricken.
yielding up their arms as two Of the
later corners made the rounds. demand
ing Of each an unconditional surrender.