Sunday Washington globe., 1901-12-29

loosen the terrible grip on her throat
Then everything grew black and she sank
limp to the ground.
"Deadp' gasped Loucks, leaning over the
motionless body.
For moment he stood irresolute
Then he heard the distant sound of foot
steps approaching on the run.
81 must get her body out Of the way, " he
muttered in terror IF Team get the money
belt and then dispose of the corpse no one1l
ever suspect me-
Snatching up short coil of rope he made
it fast about Ora's body and secured the
other end to a heavy, irregular stone.
The running feet we're nearer now
Putting forth his whole strength, I.oucks
gathered up girl rope and stone and stag
gered with them up the perilous track lead
ing to the summit of the aqueduct
The ascent taxed all his herculean MUSCLE
but he toiled on unainchingly.
As he neared the summit the girl stirred
uneasily and opened her eyes.
The same instant Bob Blessing spent with
running, appeared at the powder house
clearing
He had hurried across from the toll-gate
after Ora, had missed his path, and now ar
rived to find the spot deserted
"Why, where can the men be2" he Won
dered, and where is Ora2"
A distant cheer told him the men we're
returning, with Bard, to get their pay.
A piercing scream answered his second
question
Looking up he saw something that turned
him deathly pale with horror
There on the summit of the aqueduct,
over the rushing river, stood Bill Loucks,
holding the struggling girl aloft
In that brief instant Bob took IN every de-
tail-the deadly peril, the rope and stone,
Loucks demoniac laugh.
Then with one bound Bob was swarming
up the adueduct path
Seeing him coming Loucks whirled the
girl on high and hurled her into the river
below
Scarce had he done so when Bob Bless
ing's revolver spoke.
With a shrek Loucks clapped both hands
to his head and plunged headlong from the
aqueduct, to be dashed to pieces on the
rocks below.
Blessing, casting aside his useless re-
volver, caught up the sheathknife Loucks
had dropped, put it between his teeth and
dived from the great height into the turbu-
lent waters that had swallowed the woman
lac loved
There was but one chance in hundred
Of being able to locate her to cut the rope
and bring her safe to shore
Buster" Middleton had stopped at the
Gates cottage to take "Gramma" and Angie
Vollmer to the dedication.
There he found all in confusion.
Ora had disappeared, taking with her the
one horse the Gates family possessed.
Angie was sent to a neighbor's to borrow
auother steed; and Gramma went to her own
room to dress for the great occasion.
Buster, left alone in the sitting room, was
disturbed by knock at the outer door.
Come in'' he called
An elderly, well-dressed man entered.
"Fatherl" cried Buster what are you
doing here1"
81 came on the noon train, D." answered the
older man They told me at the hotel I'd
find you here. Besides, / wanted to come
for another reason"
But how did you find your way?"
II used to come here, sears ago. Long
before you we're born. Before | married
your mother"
Then maybe you met Thomas Jones, the
scoundrel that Gramma Gates is always
talking about It seems he married
Gramma's daughter and deserted her before
Ora was born"
"Yes, met him. He"-
Hn inner door opened and Gramma
Gates, gorgeously apparelled for the oc-
casion, came into the room
At sight of Mr. Middleton she stopped
short as though she had seen ghost
Thomas JonesW she gasped.
She's got that name on the brain,
father, " whispered Buster
No, no, Mrs Gates" he said aloud
This doesn't happen to be Thomas Jones'
This is Mr.. Middleton, my father"
Your father?" cried the old woman
Yes. Why not2 1t wasn't my fault, you
know Every ones got to have some sort
of a father"
He's Ora's father" declared Gramma.
But" -
Wait" commanded Mr. Middleton,
breaking in on his sons protest. What
she says is true l am Ora's father Her
mother was my wife. / married her under
the name of Thomas Jones. l am here to
make amends for my desertion."
''Whatl' shouted Buster, in amazement
1T is true And now, where is my child?"
cheer from outside the cottage was his
reply.
Bob Blessing hurried in.
Mr.. Middleton he exclaimed.
Yes" he's come back to make up to
Ora for desertin her mother, exclaimed
Cramma, ioyously.
Where is Ora?" asked Mr. Middleton,
eagerly.
She's being carried here on the should
ers of the grateful crowd" answered Bless
ing This day she has saved our reputa
tion at the risk of her own life"
Ora ran into the room as Bob spoke.
She was dressed in gay clothes borrowed
from the wives of some Of the Italian
laborers Save for a slight pallor and weak
ness she was little the worse for her narrow
escape.
"Oryp cried the old woman, Thomas
Jones has come back. Your fathers here"
The words we're caught up by the crowd
at the door.
''FatherW murmured Ora, rapturously.
Then she shrank back from the outstretched
arms, whispering But why did you desert
mep"
II was coward, said Mr. Middleton.