Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-14
CHAPTER XIV.
OUT OF srzzUN's NET.

S&
We mounted aud pere Of.
Another rush Of horses feet behind rs
WHAT
Elder Sizzumi
And that pale, gray shadow Of man,
whose pony the elder drags by the bri.
die, and lashes cruelty forward-whoi
Mr.. Clitheroe.
Sizzum rode straight mp to Brent.
The two men faced each other-the
big. hulking, bullying saint; the slight,
graceful. self possessed gentle. Sizzum
quailed little when he saw the nther
did not quail. He seemed to change his
intended form Of address.
Brother Clitheroe wants his daugh.
ter" said Sizzum.
eyes, yes, gentlemen" said Mr.. Clith.
eroe In feeble echo. II want my daugh.
ter"
Brent ignored the Mormon. He turned
to the father and questioned eagerly.
"What Is this, dear siri Is Miss Ellen
missingl She Is not here. Speak. sir!
Tell Ms ut once how she was lost. We
must be on her track instantly. Wade,
shift the saddles to Fulsno and Pumps
while make up our packs. Speak. sir!
Speaki"
Brent's manner carried conviction,
even to Sizzum.
81 did not like to suspect you, gentle.
men," said Mr.. Clitheroe, latter our
pleasant evening and your kindness, but
Brother Sizzum said Ii could not be any
one else"
"Get the facts, Wade" said Brent; 81
cannot trust myself to ask"
Sizzum smiled a base, triumphant
smile over the agony OF my friend.
"Tell rs quick" said I, taking Mr..
Clitheroe firmly by the arm and fixing
his eye.
"In the night, an hour or more after
you left US, I was walked mp by two men
creeping into the wagon. They whis-
pered they would shoot II I breathed.
They passed behind the curtain. Ny
daughter had sunk on the floor. tired
out, poor child, without undressing.
They threw blanket over her head and
stiHed her 80 that she could not utter a
sound. They tied me- and gagged me.
Then they dragged her of. God forgive
me, gentlemen, for suspecting you Of
such brutalityi I lay In the wagon al.
most strangled to death until the team.
ster came to put to the oxen for our
journey. That Is all know"
"The two gamblers, nurderers, have
carried her off," said I; "but we'll save
her yet, please God!"
"Oh," said Sizzum, "ef them devils
has got her that's the end Of her.
hain't got no more interest In her case.
believe I'll 90. I've wasted too much
time now from the Lords business"
He moved to 60.
"what am TO dor said Mr.. Clithe.
roe.
Forlorn, bereaved. perplexed old man!
Any but brute would have hesitated
to strike him another blow. Sizzum
did not hesitate.
"You may 30 to the devil across lots
on that runt pony Of yourn, with your
new friends, for all I care. I've had
enough Of your daughters airs, Is II she
was too good to be teched by one OF the
Lords chosen. But she'll get the Lords
vengeance now, because she wouldn't
see what was her place and privileges.
And you're no better than backslider.
You've been grumblin and settin your.
self up for somebody. would cusa
You now with the wrath TO come II
such poor spirited granny was with
cussin."
The base wretch lashed his horse and
galloped of.
Even his own people Of the mail party
| looked and muttered contempt.
Mr.. Clitheroe seemed utterly stunned.
Guide, faith, daughter, all gonel What
was he to do, indeed!
"Never mind, Mr.. Clitheroe," said
Brent tenderly, IL hope you have not
lost daughter. know you have gained
. son-yes. two OF them. Here, Jake
Shamberlain!"
"Here, siri Up to timei Ready to
pull my poundr
"Wads and are going after the lady.
Do you take this gentleman and deliver
him safe and sound to Captain Ruby st
Fort Laramie. Tell Ruby to keep him
till we come. and treat him as he would
General Scott. Drive our mules and the
mustangs to Laramie and leave them
there. We trust the whole to You,
There's no time to talk. Tell me what
money you want for the work, and III
pay you now In advance Whatever yor
ask."
"rll be switched round creation ei
you do. Not the frat redi You think
bekase I'm Mormon, - you call II,
hain't got no nat'ral feelin's. Why, boys
I'd 70 with you myself after the gal and
let Uncle Sans mail Ne there and wall
till every letter answered itself ef ] had
Q kettrypid what could range with
youru. No, no, Jake Shsmberlain AIM
hog and his mail boys amt Of the porl
Kind. I'll take keer Of the old gentle
man and put him through Jest 3 - !
be was my own father and with . mil
lion slugs. And Of that amt talkin fall
dunno what H."
We both griped Jaks shsmberlain'
friendly hst.
Mr.. Clithsros, weary with his morn
ing's ride, faint and sick after his bond
Of the night, and now crushed In sptri
and utterly bswildsred with thess sud
den changes, was handed over TO hisnsv
protector.
The emancipsting force had fount
him. Hs was frss OF his xorInonism
His dsludon had discarded him. A rougl
and cruel termination of his hopes' Hov