Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-09-16

that again to three, he lost heart and
abal doned all hope OF 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 We're 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 the blow
which hung ever 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
dishOnor
He was sitting alone one evening 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 was to hap
pen then? Ali manner of vague and
terrible fancies filled 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 at the thought of his own i'm
pOtence.
What was that? In the silence he
heard a gentle scratching sound-loW
but very distinct, in the quiet Of the
night. 1t came from the door Of the
house. Ferrier crept into the hall and
listened 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 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 Dolt and
threw the door open.
Outside all was calm and quiet The
night was fine, and the stars We're
twinkling brightly overhead. The lit
tie 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
sigh Of relief, Terrier looked to right
and to left, until, happening to glance
straight down at his own feet, ne saw
to his establishment man lying fiat
upon his face upon the ground, With
arms and legs all a-spraWl.
So unnerved was he at the slSnt,
that he leaned up against the WALL
with his hand to his throat to sune MS
inclination to call out. His first tnouSnt
was that the PROSTATE figure was mat
INr14
of some wounded or dying man, Duh
as he watched it he saw 1t Wrltne alCns
tho Ground and into the hall with the
rapidity and nOlSeleSSness OF q serpent.
once within the house, 1ne man spidDS
to his feet, closed the door, and re-
yealed to the aStonished farmer the
fierce face and resolute expression OF
Jefferson Hope.
Good God!" gasped John Ferrler.
'How you scared me! Whatever MAGE
you come in like that?"
Give me foodw the other said
hoarsely. 81 have had no time for bite
or sup for eight-and-forty hours. I He
flung himself upon the cold meat and
bread which were still lying upon the
table from his hosts supper, and de-
youred it voraciously. docs Lucy bear
up well!' he asked, when he had sat
isfied his hunger.
"Yes. 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
my way up to it. They may be darned
sharp, but they're not quite sharp
ercugh to catch 4 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 it 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. Il have respect
for you, but if you were alone in this
business I'd think twice before / 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 do?'
Tomorrow is your last day, and un.
less you act tonight you are lost. /
have mule and two horses waiting in
the Eagle rayine How much money
have your
1.-TWO thousand dollars in gold and
five in notes."