Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-11-12

Here and there. I'm soft ground. the
iudenfa;iOns Of the horses hOofs: o.
cgsionaliy a gan made X; hedge.
through which Gfidley and his purstI-
or had forced their way.
.One advantage the baroaet had was.
that the animal which bore him so
brayeIy was fresh and spirited. while
those ridden by the two In advance
were jadei ard tired with their pTevi-
ous journey.
Whenever a slight cminence offered
the chance OF "a view. the baronct per-
ceived with delight that he was gain
ing on his son: though. unfortunately.
the distance between Ernest and John
Grilley was gradually increasing.
Gridley had. by good luck. made the
selection Of the better horse; and Er-
nest CRASHED his teeth with rage as he
became conscious that the stTengfs Of
the beast which had 30 far borne him
so we'll was rapidly failing.
He did not know that his father was
behind him: but believed that ln TIE
event OF Gridley escaping him. he
would be able TO get clear altogether.
And so thought John Gridley. as he
urged his horse 10 It's utmost speed.
lie laughed aloud. q mocking. ieering
laugh, as he increased the distance be-
tween himself and his foremost pursu-
er at every stride; but his triumph was
but short-liyed.
A few minutes afierward. In at
tempting 10 jump "A brook. which d.
yided two large fields. his horse STUN
bled and fell, throwing him over his
head.
Uninjured. John Gridsey was In a
moment on his feet and lo,king around
10 see his chance OF escape.
Ernest was close up 10 him. but his
hersc was weli-nigiI exhausted. aud
could only be- induced TO proceed az a
slowi. IuaberinG tot.
John Gridley. finging of his coat.
plunged into the stream. and. with Il
lit;le exerti0n, reached the opposite
bank.
His only chance was that Ernest's
horse might refuse the leap.
He hoped and suspected such might
be the case. and fortune seemed to IA
vor him. for he was right.
Ernest knew IL was useless TO at
tc.glpt to urge his beast to a greater
speed. and had no choice but 80 seek
q gaallowcr part, where the brook
could be forded.
This gave John Gridley a chance. Of
which he was not slow to avail him.
self.
and made towards a partly-ruincd
barn. which stood in the field at no
great distance.
This he reached before Ernest had
succeeded In crossing the water.
ltvflInx-f- ..n1rnno. I.AI 49,. a.. 49,
him; and now, while waiting the COM
ing up OF his pursEer. he drew from
his pocket the pistol with which he
had committed the dreadful deed. and,
with steady hand. deliberately reload
ed 1t.
He felt that 1t was useless to at
tempt further flight, and in that old
barn he resolved to stand at bay. con-
fident THAI he could rid himself OF his
ptIrster by means OF an ounce Of clad.
Ernest Hartrey had been able 10 e
all the others movements, for the
country was fiat. and no friendly trees
offered Gridley the opportunity Of con-
cealing himself.
AS Ernest drew close TO the barn
Gridiey entered IL, and mounting by
means Of "A crazy ladder to the plat
form above. he pushed away the
means by which he had gained access
To ii, and waited there. with COM
pressed lips and frowning brow, the
pistol clutci,ed tightly i'm his hand.
Surrender cried Ernest, entering
the bar and seeing his dark face
glariHg ferociously at him.
Never l will die sooner
Surrender" repeated Ernest. "or 1t
VIII be the worse for your
Listen TO me, Ernest Hartrey," said
John Gridley. II have no desire 10
add to my last deed; but. as there is a
heaven above us, | will shoot the first
man that m near to me.''
ID you think l am terrified by your
threats!'
Beware Remember, / have warned
YOU"
Just then the sound Of horses hoofs
was heard outside.
Help! Help.-he Is here.' shouted
Ernest, ut the same time that he
planted the ladder against one Of the
beanIs. meaning by its aid to mount to
the loft where Gridley lay in fancied
security.
As Ernest assembled. his opponent.
by q great exertiOn Of strength, pushed
back the ladder. For a moment IL
stood balanced. and then fell crashing
down upon the floor Of the barn just rs
Sir Harold and the servants entered.
My boy! my boy.." cried the baron
ct, ARE you hurt!'
"Nothipg-it IS nothing answered
Ernest, speaking with difficulty, and
pressing his hand to his side. Il shall
be better directly. Follow the villain
lie Is there"
Sir Harold. following with his eyes
the direction in which his son pointed,
saw above him the face of John Grid
ley, looking down upon what he had
done with a grin OF fiendish satisfac-
ton.
He cannot escape!' he replied.
There is no exit by the roof. He is
fairly trapped"
Then. by the baronet's directions.
Ernest was laid carefully upon a heap
OF straw, Of which there was a great
quantity in every part of the barn.
He was too much hurt 10 attempt to
rise; but 1t eemed TO him hard to lie
inactive, and take no part In the capt
ureo at a man who had Q cruelty
VrOnppd him NJ