The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-30


herself of the privilege. and FASTENED to
Join the stream of humanity setting in
toward the river and the shady grove. Ten
minutes later a gfrlish figure stole round
the Helmer house to the barn, mounted
a stout little pony, and started. not to-
ward the grove, but straight for Dave
Ewing's ranch.
And while she rode the exercises in the
grove commenced. The band played riot
oLsly. the children sang rapturously, the
master of ceremonies read his address of
welcome without single pause, and then
glanced gratefully toward the school
teacher, who had prepared the paper for
him. The orator of the day stood alter
nately now with one hand, now with the
other and oftimes with BOTH until his
hearers were convinced that the present
day statesmen might give few point
ers to Washington, Adams, Jefferson or
any other carver of American history.
But while the audience cheered the ora
tor of the day the master of ceremonies
felt strange chills creeping up and down
MS spine. MY Country, It's of Thee"
he would have to face the hour of trial.
1t was time for the Declaration, and Dave
Ewing was not in sight The children
subsidized with a rustic of paper muslin
sashes. Helmer slowly rose and faced
the audience.
Ladies and Gentlemen-The next
number on the programme is the Declar-
alton of Independence, read by Mr.. David
Ewing, in costume, but as Mr.. Ewing
was called out of town last night, I'M
expectedly and sudden, I'm afraid"
Just then the speakers voice was lost
in a murmuT, half derision, half merri-
ment, as a strange figure pulled rein
close to the ring of cowboys that fringed
the outer edge of the crowd. The horse
was Dave Ewing's Cyclone, hard pressed
md
Sam, from the red and white-striped trou-
'sers, to the white beaver browning the
gray hair and goatee. Painting, perspir-
ing, the quaint figure pushed its way to
the platform. Helmer held out his hand
Dave, you're the real thing. Shake"
But Dave was evidently nervous. He
clasped with trembling hands the paper
from which he was to read. At first the
master of ceremonies was puzzled Dawes
voice sounded hoarse and uncertain. He
stumbled over the words which the day
before he had known by heart, and then
Heimer felt sudden rush of sympathy
for the reader. 1t has been a hard ride
and a close shave. And where was Long
Pete?
AS the reader gained confidence and his
voice became firmer there was almost
ring of triumph-insolent trlumph-in the
tones.
I'VE mutually pledge to each other our
lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor"
AS the famous peroration rang out. the
audience rose and cheered. The children
waved their flags and sashes frantically,
and even the United States Senator,
catching the enthusiasm, started forward
and shook hands heartily with the flush
ed and perspiring reader. Some one offer
ed him chair at the Senator's elbow, but
he shook his head. and muttered hoarse-
ly:
Sorry, but can't stop. It's time I
was going"
With wave OF his hand to the amaz-
ed master of ceremonies, he sprang from
the platform and threaded his way rapid
ly to the trembling horse, which stood in
the center of an admiring group of cow
boys Something in this unexpected action
I'held Helmer spelibound, and he stood
stock still, watching the tall, lank figure
swing itself upon Cyclones back. The
first break in the programme occurred.
The master of ceremonies had fairly for
gotten that the next number was The
Star Spangled Banner by chorus and
band. The crowd around Cyclone broke.
| and the horse plunged forward. Then
above the murmur of voices. rose a clear
| call, in a girls voice:
stop himl Stop him"
| Helmer stihed a profane exclamation of
establishment as he saw his daughter
urging her pony through the crowd. The
| cowboys, seeming a sensation, wheeled in
the direction of the departing horseman,
but he dug his spurs, an dthe terrified
animal fairly sprang into the air.
Its Long Pete, and he's killed Dave
Ewing!'
The agonized words scarcely reached
| beyond the edge of the crowd, but people
| in the crush realized that something was
| happening out there in the hot July SUM-
| light One of the cowboys, gazing blank
| ly after the fleeing figure, shouted de-
| risively:
what you givin' US? That's Dave
Ewingr'
With a cry of baf1ed anger-almost de-
| spair-the girl dropped the reins, raised
the rife slung across her saddle and fired
upon the fugitive. howl rose from the
throng as Uncle Sam swayed in the sad
dle The shot seemed like an insult to
the flag. There was tumult in the grove,
and the master of ceremonies, shading
his eyes with one hand and protesting for
quiet with the other, saw something
which made his heart stand still, for
Lena lurched forward suddenly, and
would have fallen had not a man at her
side caught her. Forgetful of his position
as master of ceremonies, forgetful even
of the United States senator, Helmer
pushed through the crowd to Lena's side
|
said a burly miner. ramming his bully
right and left against the press of human
beings. "Plueky little girl and an all
fired good shot"
Out on the stretch of alkali dust beyond
the grove men were bending over form
in gaudy red white and blue raiment-
One arm hung limp and useless at his
SIDE and a thin streak of blood showed
against the blue coat. The hat had
fallen off. the gray wig and goatee were
snatched away by eager hands. and one
of the men straightend up suddenly with
an OATH
Lone Pete. by God! How'd the kid
know it?''
When Lena regained consciousness she
was hooking into her fathers face, his
lips twitched nervously as she fixed her
great solmen eyes on his face.
Daddy. l didn't kill him-tell me
didn't kill him!"
NO. no, Lena. Just winged him" Hell
, mer was still chatting her hands nervous
ly. where's Dave?'
The girls hips quivered pteously.
, 'Choked gagged and shot. out at his
cabin. You'd better send the doctor"
And sobs choked off further words.
An angry murmur rose from the ranch
men and cowboys gathered near the girl