The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1900-12-21
cIIAPTER N.-lcontInuedl

f|+NNNAh VII AAf NAAn NfNbNs bh1N'hNaf
as Bluebell looked. horseman shot
into vlow-a horse riding straight up
towards the house Even as Bluobell
with a sudden little gasping cry drew
back. she saw the rltsr pause. He
turned his horse round and waved
something-lt looked like pistol
"a the air. as n TO some one behind
him; then. turning agala. rode straight
up the avenue
Bluebell only waited 20 sec another
and yet another horBeman shoot into
view, then. turning quickly to her
door. she opened It and few along the
passage 20 her fathers room.
She knocked furlously. In a mom,n Mt
her fathers voice demanded slecplly,
who IS there?"
Father. fathcr!" she cried. her voice
ringing out clear and strong. though
her heart seemed almost bursting aud
her tongue parchod and dry. Rise
quickly and get your revolver! The
Beers, they are coming MP the avcauc'
Thoy IRE almost on usl"
She could hear her father muttcr n
wild oath. At that moment II sent a
shudder through her.
There were only women in the
house. Besides her aunt and horlClf
there was Marie. tho girl they had
had as servant for two years. and two
half-caste Zulu Girls. who slept down
stairs. The native boys" slept In an
outside shed. Adam Leslie and Blue
bell herself were tho only two who
could defend Themselves against an
attacking party. for Bluebcll had long
since learned TO use firearms.
II am ready" cried her father in n
moment. Let the villains come on!
I'm more than a match for score Of
Boer dogs!"
Father. father. oh. don't speak like
that" cried the Girl us Leslie nung
open tho room door Lot us speak
pleasantly to them. Perhaps. after all.
they have no unfrlendly intentions.
Why should they7 We have never
done them any harm. We have al
ways"
Hist" exclaimed her father. A
horrible spasm had passed over his
face; but at that moment the scuiiie q
what seemed n score OF horses hoofa
sounded under the stoop outside.
and a loud exclamation was uttered.
''Keecp back. glrl shall go TO the
window myself" said Leslie In low
voice.
Bluoboll stood back n little. Al tho
same moment a sound OF shrloks be-
hind told her that the servants had
been reused from their slumbers. She
turned and saw Miss Elizabeth. pale
and horror-strickon. In her blue dune
dresalng- gown. her head covered with
the ugly white cap which she always
wore during the night. hurryinG
towards her followed by the shrlclS'
ing Marie and the bowling native girls
Keep them quiet. II will be alI
right. auntle They can't mean NJ
harm, II Ia the Beers" Bluebell said
in short whispers. for she was listen.
Ing at the same time to what went or
ut the window.
Her father had flung II open. A
voice from below called out;
open the door to us. Adam Leslle
and surrender yourself as our prisoner
or wo shall burn your house abou
your earsl"
Bluebell did not recognize the voice
which. though Dutch in accent. SPOKE
excellent English. Her father an
swered. In q voice that trembled will
passion:
81 will not open the door to you. yoi
Boer dogsl What do you want with
me?"
Better speak clvlly. for the SAX
OF your own liie!" retortod the vote
In answer. You're a base informer
and. but for the kindness OF Almlgth!
God. We should have been without on
leaders through youl Surrender your
self prisoner. or wen hang you TO tn
nearest treee and burn your house an,
all II containsl That's the best cours
with villains like youl"
II refuse TO surrender" shoute
Leslie, beside himself with rage.
lie turned 20 Bluebell. Bring m
my royolver-loaded!" he cried. be
tween his teeth.
But. instead OF obeylng. Bluebel
sprang forward, and. pushing he
father aside, intcrposed herself be
tween him and the window. Wit
eyes that hardly seemed to see sh
looked down on tho men below-a
army they seemed TO her excited min
tall. stalwart fellows In Khaki m
wide Boer hats. each man armed. an
each with stern and relentless gaze o
the window. In front, on a fine, high
stepping horse. set the man who wa
evidently the lCader-a young maj
dressed Hike the others; but with
face--not unhandsome though It was
whose merclless determination struc
n cold chill through Buebell.
"You make a mistake" she said, on
her voice rang ont clear and swe'
after tho mems hoarso, angry voice
my father Is no lnformor, Some on
has been telling you a wicked lle W
were always friendly with any nool
that we know"
The young man looked behind hin
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