Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-12-27

ed roads were strictly watched and
guarded. and none could pass along
them without an order from the coun-
Gil. Turn which way he would there
appeared to be no avoiding thfS blow
which hung ever him. Yet the III man
never wavered in his resolutionk$o part
with life itself before he consented to
what he regarded as his daughter 8
dis horor. $
He was sitting alone one evening pom
dering deeply over his trout es and
searching vainly for some<Fa3 out Of
them. That morning had t6hown the
figure upon the wall d his house,
and the next day would be the last of
the allotted time. What was to hap.
pen then? All manner of vague and
terrible faDcies filed his imagination.
And his daughter-what was to become
Of her when he was gone? Was there
no escape from the inevitable network
which was drawn all around them? He
sank his head upon the table and
sobbed ut the thought Of his own i'm
pOtence.
What was that? In the silence he
heard gentle scratching sound-low.
but very distinct. in the quiet of the
night. 1t came from the door Of the
house Terrier crept into the hall and
istened intently. There was pause
for few, moments and then the low
ins:dious sound was repeated. Some
one was evidently tapping very gently
upon one Of the panels Of the door.
Was 1t some midnight assassin who
had come to carry out the orders Of the
secret tribunal? Or was it some agent
who was marking up that the last day
of grace had arrived? John Ferrier felt
that instant death would be better
than the suspense which shook his
nerves and chilled his heart. Spring
ing forward he drew the bolt and
threw the door open.
Outside all was calm and quiet. The
night was fine. and the stars were
twinkling brightly overhead. The lit
tie front garden lay before the farmers
ewes. bounded by the fence and gate,
but neither there nor on the road was
apy human being to be seen. With
sigh of relief, Terrier looked to right
and to left, until, happening to glance
straight down at his own feet, he saw
to his establishment a man lying nat
upon his face upon the ground, With
arms and legs all a-sprawl.
So unnerveu was he ut the sight,
that he leaned up against the wall.
with his hand to his throat to stifle his
inclination to call out. His first thought
was that the PROSTATE figure was that
of some wounded or dying man. but
as he watched it he saw it writhe along
the ground MI into the hall with the
rapidity anI roiselessness of serpent,
Orce within the house. the man spr,lIg
to his feet. closed the door. and re-
vealed to tine astonished farmer the
fierce face and resolute expression of
Jefferson Hope.
Good God!' gasped John Terrier.
How you scared me! Whatever made
you come i'll like that?'
"Give me food"' the other said.
hoarsely. Il have had no time for bite
or sup for eight-and-forty hours" He
flung himself upon the cold meat and
bread which We're still lying upon tho
table from his hosts supper. and de-
youred it vOraciously. docs Lucy bear
up well:" he asked, when he had sat-
is6ed his hunger.
Eyes. She does not know the dan
GER" her father answered.
THAT is we'll. The house is watched
on every side. That is why crawled
nv way up to it. They may be darned
sharp, but they're not quite sharp
ercugh to catch Washoe hunter"
John Terrier felt different man
now that he realized that he had a
devoted ally He seized the young
mans leathery hand and wrung it cor
daily. you're man to be proud of,
he said. 'There are not many who
would come to share our danger and
our troubles"
you've hit it there, pard," the young
hunter answered. Il have a respect
for you, but if you were alone in this
business I'd think twice before I put
my head into such hornets nest
It's Lucy that brings me here, and
before harm comes on her guess there
will be one less O. the Hope family in
Utah"
What are we to dog
TO BE CONTINUED.