The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-06-15

Was there no escape from the inv;s
BILE network which was drawn al
round them? He sank his head upol
the table and sobbed at the thought o
his own impotence.
What was that? In the silence h.
heard gentle scratching sound-low
but very distinct, in the quiet of tn,
night. 1t came from the door of tn,
house. Terrier crept into the hall anC
listened intently. There was pause
for few moments, and then the low
! insidious sound was repeated. Some
one was evidently tapping very gently
upon one of the panels of the door
Was it some midnight assassin who
had come to carry out the murderOus
order of the secret tribunal? Or was
it some agent who was marking ur
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. Springing 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
little. front garden lay before the
farmers eyes, bounded by the fence
and gate; but neither there nor on the
road was any human being to be seen.
With a sigh of relief Ferrier looked to
right and to left, until happening to
glance straight down at his own feet
he saw to his establishment a man lying
fiat upon his face upon the ground.
with arms and legs all asprawl.
So unnerved was he at the sight
that he leaned up against the wall with
his hand to his throat to stifie his in
clination 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 1t writhe along
the ground and into the hall with the
rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent.
Once within the house the man sprang
to his feet, closed the door and re-
vealed to the astonished farmer the
fierce and resolute expression of Jetfer-
son Hope.
Good God!" gasped John Ferrier.
GLOW you scared me! Whatever made
you core in like that?"
''G:vc 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 r,eat and
bread which were still lyinC upon the
table from his hosts supper, and de-
voured it voraciously. Does Lucy
bear up well?' he asked. when he had
his hunger.
''Yes. 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 Terrier felt a different man
now that he realized that he had de- |
voted ally. He seized the young mans |
hand and wrung it cordially.
You're man to be proud of, he said.
There are not many who would come
% share our danger and our troubles"
you've hit it there, pard, the young
lunter answered. Il have a respect
or you. but if you were alone in this
business I'd think twice before put
ny head into such a hornets nest.
It's Lucy that brings me here, and be-
ore harm comes on her guess there
will be one less O. the Hope family in
Jtah."
''What are we to do?"
Tomorrow is your last day. and I'M
ess you act tonight you are lost.
ave mule and two horses waiting in
he Eagle ravine. How much money
ave you?"
1.-Two thousand dollars in gold, and
i've in notes.
That will do. Ihave as much more to
id to it. We must push for Carson City
trough the mountains. You had best
rake Lucy. 1t is as we'll that the serv-
nts do not sleep in the house.
While Terrier was absent preparing
is daughter for the approaching jour
ey, jefferson Hope packed all the eat
bles that he could find into a small
arcel, and filed a stoneware jar with
alter, for he knew by experience that
ne mountain wells were few and far
etween. He had hardly completed
is arrangements before the farmer re-
lrned with his daughter all dressed
nd ready for. start. The greeting
etween the lovers was warm but brief.
n minutes were precious, and there
as much to be done. {
1--WE must make our start at once"
lid jefferson Hope, speaking in low
ut resolute voice, like one who
allies the greatness of the peril, but
as steeled his heart to meet it. 1.-THE
ont and back entrances are watched.
ut with caution we may get away !!
trough the side window and across
le fields. Once on the road, we are
1ly two miles from the ravine where
le horses are waiting. BY daybreak
e should be half way through the
"What if we are stopped?" asked
errier.
Hope slapped the revolver butt which :
from the front of his tunic
# they are too many for us we shall