Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-08-30

farmer hurried to the gate, thinking
that help had arrived at last. At last,
when he saw five give way to four, and
that again to three, he lost heart, and
abal doned all hope IF escape.
Single-handed and with his limited
knowledge of the mountains which sur
rounded the settlement, he knew that
he was powerless. The more frequent
ed roads were strictly watched and
guarded. and none could pass along
them without an order from h coun-
ell. Turn which way he would there
appeared to be no avoiding the blow
which hung cyer him. Yet the old man
never wayered in his resolution to part
with life itself before he consented TO
what he regarded as his daughters
dis honor.
He var sitting alone Ole eveninS pom
dering deeply over his troubles and
searching vainly for some way out Of
them. That morning had shown the
figure 2 upon the wall of his house.
and the, next day would be the last Of
the allotted time. What vas to hap
pen them All manner Of vague and
terrible fancies filed his imagination.
And his daughter-what was to become
Of her when he was gone? Was there
nc escape from the inevitable network
which was drawn all around them? He
sank his head upon the table and
sobbed at the thought Of his WI i'm
pOtence.
What was that? In the silence he
heard n gentle scratching sound-low,
but very distinct. in the quiet OF the
night. IT anne from the door of the
house. Terrier crept into the hall and
listened intently. There was n pause
for a few moments and then he low,
ina:diouS sound was repeated. Some
one was evidently tapping very gently
upon one of the panels of the -oor.
Was it 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 anc
threw the door open.
Outside all was calm and quiet. The
night was fine, and he stars We're
twinkling brightly overhead. The lit
tie front garden lay before the
eyes, bounded by the fence n gate,
but neither there nor on the road was
any human being to be seen. with a
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 %unnerved was he at the sight,
that he leaned up against the wall,
with his hand to his throat to stif1e 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 and into the hall with the
rapidity and noiselessnesS OF a serpent.
Once within the house, the man spraDg
to his feet, closed the door, and re-
vealed to the astonished farmer the
fierce face and resolute expression OF
Jefferson Hope.
Good Godr' gasped John Ferrier.
How you scared me! Whatever MADE
you come in like thatf"
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 were still lying upon the
table from his hosts supper, and de-
voured it voraciously. Does Lucy bear
I'D wellf" he asked, when he had sat
isfied his hunger.
Eyes. She does not know the dan
GER" her father answered.
THAT is well. The house is watched
on every side. That is why / crawled
my way up to it. They may be darned
sharp, but they're not quite Sharp
enough to catch a Washoe hunter"
John Ferrier felt a different man
now that he realized that he had a
devoted ally. He seized the young
mans leathery hand and wrung 1t cor
daily. You're a 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. II have a respect
for you, but If you were alone in this
business I'd think twice before l put
my head into such a hornets nest.
It's Lucy that brings me here, and
before harm comes on her I guess there
will be one less O. the Hope family in
Utah"
What are we to do?"
Tomorrow is your last day, and un-
less you act tonight you are lost. I
have a mule and two horses waiting In
the Eagle ravine. How much money
have your
Two thousand dollars in gold and
five in notes"
ITO Ra Continuedl .,