The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-09-15

Dor. She picked 1t up hastily and put
it in her pocket. As she did 90, her hand
touched something hard. What was it9
Involuntarily her hand closed about it.
All! yes; now she remembered-it was
the little revolver that Hugh had given
her, the one with which he had killed
the serpent. Keep it," he had said,
land remember, though I'm Ill it be,
it has saved your life once, and
may, for all we know, in course of
human events, be the @ OF saving
it again." Sac had laughed, taken it
and put it in her pocket, considering it
more a toy-a souvenir-than a weapon
of defence, and here, within the folds
of her dress, for over two months, it
had lain unthought of and forgotten.
Did she see in this the hand of Pow
dence7 Her heart beat fast. Her
bosom OF and fell with a newborn
hope. Forgetting all else but that
Hugh-the one she loved-was in dan
ger; that even noW-at this moment,
perhaps-men we're in ambush wait
ing tor-yes waiting to kill him-to
shoot him down in cold blood. For
getting all else, and remembering only
this, with a deadly purpose shining
in her eyes, she moved a step closer to
the moonshiner, who leaned, with
folded arms and a complacent smile,
against the door.
open that door," she demanded.
Her voice was quiet, but in it there
was a ring of determination that star
tied him. He regarded her a moment
in surprise, and then drawled:
"You don't say So"
But 1 do! Open that door! I say"
mo, I guess I won't"
"You refuse?"
"Well, I think I do"
AS quick as though, the exasperated
girl drew the revolver from her pocket
and leveled it at his head. So quick
and unexpected was the act, that Red
mond was taken completely by sur
prise. He ducked his head and sprang
to one side. He grasped the revolver
that hung at his hip. Rose saw the
act and discerning his intention, cried;
Drop your hand, Or 1 will kill you"
He hesitated for a moment only.
One glance at her and the determine
ton written upon her every feature,
c ,nvinced him il language palmer than
words that she-this dainty, little crea-
ture-was not to be trif9d with. He
reluctantly obeyed. His hand fell to
his side.
"Come! put up that plaything," he
said, feignIng a careless Indifference
that his looks belied.
Not until you have opened that door
and sat me at liberty, she answered.
"That l will never do" he answered.
His eyes still fastened upon her face
he moved cautiously toward her.
stand backt you william" she cried
-"another step and I will kill your
He halts; then advances again. She
backward; he 0 v forward.
H9 advances; she retreats. The wall
behind her is reached. She al retreat
no further.
Back! Back you UiUjan-Back!'
she cried.
But he heeds not her warning He
attempts to seiz9 her. With despera-
ton born of despair, she raises the re-
volver and fires point blank at his face.
He staggers back, drops upon his
hands and knees My God!" he
cries then springing to his feet, with
a blood curdling oath, he darts toward
her. She fires again, but the shot fails
to stop him, and the next moment he
SEXES her in his hard, muscular arms.
Wrenching the smoking revolver from
her grasp, he hurts it to the further
side of the room; then-villian that he
raises his clenched fist and deals
her a stunning blow. With a moan
a piteous cry-she sinks to the flor
unc onscious. Fl Astily tying her hands
behind her, he drags her to the opposite
side of the room, and by an ingenious
contraption, the manipulation of which
is only known to himself, he opens a
trap door and lifting her in his arms
casts her down in the dark pit below.
(TO BE CONTINUED
A TERROR OF THE EAST.
He Would not Drink and had a Great