The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-10-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
RETAKEN.

utuNN bool unu, oI'tllhE my tNtss
looked into the face of Tom Jay
cox. The expression of fiendish
Joy that shone through anxious caution
froze the very marrow of my bones.
The muzzle of his revolver was within
n few inches of my forehead, and his
look told me that n word of alarm or
motion for self defense would be a sig
nal for bullet to go crashing through
my brain.
"Git up" he whispered.
stood on my feet.
"Move on"
1t was the dawn of beautiful spring
morning The perfume of young ver-
dure. the twitter of birds, an occa-
sional cock crow In the distance. gave
me the thought that 1t is delightful to
live. But they threw over me as well
contrasting gloom, for 1t seemed GER
tain that this fair scene was the last
of those pictures drawn by the divinely
artistic hand of the Creator that l
should ever look upon. My companions
were all wrapt In heavy slumber.
induced by n long period Of unrest.
bade mute farewell to each as l
passed. breathing a blessing on little
Buck. whose arms were clasped about
his sister. his young face and figure
relaxed: on Jaqueline, her white face
resting In n profusion of tumbled black
hair: on Helen. her features strong
even In sleep. There was line be-
| tween the lids OF IIelen's eyes. but |
thought little of that for 1t IL not un-
usual for people TO show this line when
sleeping. thanked God TINT my pres
ence would no longer be menace to
these dear ones who had suffered so
much for me.
Jaycox marched me out Of the camp
toward the road. across 1t and into u
wood on the other side. where his horse
was pcketed to a tree. He was con-
stantly looking about and listening.
and | inferred this was for others OF
the gang. who had doubtless separated
In order to cover more ground In their
search for us. Finally the brute stood
still and, pointing his revolver straight
at me. fired two shots In rapid success
sion, the bullets singing close to my
ears. He did not intend to kill me.
though he was Indifferent whether he
did or not. He wished to serve dou-
BILE purpose of signaling the band and
intimidating me. Two similar shots
were fired far to the north, and then
my captor started Off with me in that
direction.
Entering the road, we proceeded, Jay.
cox, some ten yards behind me. anus
ing himself by firing occasional shots
at me. evidently trying to see how
near he could come to me without hit
ting me. One Of his bullets grazed my
ear. and ! felt blood trickling on my
collar. good evidence that he had miss
ed his imaginary mark on the wrong
side. He was doubtless firing for his
double purpose Of letting his compan.
torturing me. His signals and those OF
my other enemies were drawing nearer
and nearer together. I did not doubt
that the guerrillas would prevent any
further opportunity for escape by mur'
dering me at once. though they might
delay long enough to force me to sign
for a ransom which would have nc
effect In saving me. lost all care
whether Jaycox hit me or whether
was spared for more horrible death
by the gang. At last was face to face
with the inevitable.
was trudging on mechanically. my
eyes bent on the ground, Jaycox clost
behind swearing and shooting at me
when suddenly a shot rang out from
behind us both. ! turned and saw Jay
cox tumble from the saddle. Running
to where he lay. bent over him ant
knew at once that looked into thu
face Of dying man. He gave me on'
malignant look. shiver passed ovel
him. and his eyes were set In death.
looked up and saw Helen standing
in the road short distance back witt
carblne in her hands. There wa
something IN the expression OF be
face. holding as she did the weapon. I
light smoke curling from its muzxle
| kk.ot lvl1 49, n