The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-12

the gang of twenty met at the set
time that night he told them of the
defiance of Dave Seers. They got
more cartridges and went with a
stronger determination to wipe this
noted blind tiger" out of existence
When near the shack they tied their
horses and slowly and quietly went
up and stopped within a few yards
OF the building. Almost before they
matted the pow" of a rifle, followed
by the 'sizZ" of a bullet, came from
the house. a leaden shower replied
TO this shot, and when their smoke
all drifted up and away light could be
seen through many little holes in the
building. Another shot and another
came from within, and then the firing
quit-now no sound at all came from
there. The twenty men, fearing that
this stiffness meant danger, made a
rush, knocked down the door and
crowded into the house. 1t was va
cant. The men laughed. Dave had
lost his bravery and fled the back
way, and thSy were kindly glad of It.
The poor lgAt coming from the lamp
on the wall was unsteady and came in
jerks, from the mob's- heavy tread; ;
and when the grayish rifle smoke
passed out the door the old lamp gave
better light.
AS the leader Bill Adkins, a big,
good-looking fellow, who had once
been deputy sheriff, passed into the
rear room he heard a piteous moan
in. a human voice-from somewhere.
He stopped, and a second noise came.
He looked into a dark corner and
saw a stairway; with a lamp and
pistol he assembled it.
On the floor at the top of the
steps, lay girl. Before he could
speak she feebly waved her hand and
begged: Don't shoot me any more"
Are you shot? Where? Are you
alone?
out and left me yesterday. He was
skeered.'
Yes" she continued, pap got 'fraid
and left for Illinois. But 1 wasn't
skeered. 1 stayed, for l wanted to
kill you all. l put that notice out so
you'd come She looked down at
the little patch of blood on her
bosom. Yes, I'm shot, but that don't
matter Bob, the man 1 loved, was
in here with me. and had sworn he'd
hep me but when you all come he
| don't know what become of him.
l amt got any friends now. You all
go on down and let me die"
Several eyes glistened with tears in
the dim lamplight, and expressions OF
regret came from all.
The wounded girl was removed to a
house not far off. and the members
of the posse employed the best medi-
cal service. And finally, but after a
hard struggle. she passed danger and
began recovering. Bill Adkins, the
leader of the gang of twenty, had
given his whole attention to the fair
victim of their raid. During all her
1ainfI1l STRUGGLES he no
her and gave her the care he would
have given his mother or sister One
day he sat close by her bed. Lot
tie, what are you going to do when
you get well?"
81 don't know, Mr.. Adkins" she re-
piled.
II know. You are going to be my
wife. You may be forsaken by youl
worthless father and Bob, but 1 love
you more than they ever did. and IL
never leave YOU
Bits home was in the country a
few miles. and was a beautiful one;
the rich land in one direction, as far
as the eye could see, belonged to Bill
Their wedding time had been set. She
and Bill had started out to see his
rich acres and their future happy
home. AS they passed along by the
old Red Shack" a rough red face of
a man was seen through a dirty win
dow light. The girl, quick as she saw
this. pulled on the reins Bill held.
leaped from the buggy and hurried to
the shanty, telling him she would re-
turn in a minute. In short time she
came to the door, accompanied by a
tall, rough, mistaken fellow-Bob.
She waved her hand to Bill with
these words:
Drive on, Mr.. Adkins Pap and
BOB nave opened up ag'in, and they
say they can't run without mel"
!. Bill drove on.