Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-04-09

hurried after her as far as the break
in the fence that opened into the fields
beyond, but no sight or sound of her
rewarded him. Miss Elwell." he call
ed hoarsely, Miss Elwellv' No reply,
and finally he retraced his steps slowly
and continued on toward the town.
Soon the train carried him back on his
return home from the last visit he
ever made to DIR. Elwell's house.
Out on the fiat prairie the girl ran
with oil speed. The office light was
her guiding beacon. There an intend
ed victim Of drunken mob sat alone
and unconscious of danger, and she
must save him.
The noise of the mems progress came
more fnintly to her ears as she d.
verged from their route. Farther up
tho canal the night shift was at work
and there was light in plenty, but
everywhere else was the gloom of
wet night. Somewhere near the
boarding camp quartet Of negro
voices and the tinkle Of string instru-
ments pointed out the location Of a
happy, careless crowd. Except for
that and the sound of working ma
chincry coming softly from the scene
Of the night shifts operations and the
mobs indlstinct growl all was still us
death. Not seeing danger to herself
she did not realize its presence. But
fortunately, this being pay night.
these places of abode were untennnted
just then, and she was not confronted
with the danger that their presence
would cause.
The unwonted exertion exhausted
her, and she had to stop for breath.
The memory of cruel words spoken in
a thoughtless moment required to her
again and again and caused n shifting
of her conscience out Of all proportion
to the enormity of the ofrense, and
each time 1t urged her on to renewed
frantic endeavor that she might not
be too late to ask his forgiveness.
Only that she might have strength to
take her to him in time SO she could
have an opportunity to let him know
she was sorry and repentant and hear
him say in reply that he forgave-that
was all she craved. II she We're too
late? A suggestion of his possible fate
floated over from the road Mt louder
spasm of snarllng from the men. and
she cried aloud In an agony Of despair.
The music sounded nearer. The
buildings of the boarding camp doomed
up ON one hand. She would have to
pass in close proximity to them and a
momentary spasm of fear for herself
attacked her. With beating heart she
sped by, hearing the humble of voices
close at hand. The light from the
clubhouse windows revealed her 70,
an instant to couple of lounging
workers, and one of them gave vent
to loud, meaningless whoop. Hel
heart was in her throat. All became
black, and she was overcome with 9
numbing weakness and stumbled ant
sank to the ground in a limp heaI
alongside of pile of machinery. Hel
ear caught the sound of maudlir
laughter. The thought that they
might follow and find her there gave
her strength, and she rose and ra1
AA1A0iy oh, AAOl hAOMlA6 MASluSl IL
the right direction or not.
Imrle was alone in the office, stand
ing behind a high desk, at work on his
reports when there burst through the
doorway moist and rather bedraggled
apparitlon in macintosh, with limp
tufts of brown tresses all awry beneath
the dripping hat and a face flushed
|-I-sAs----.-I
ed up collar. He dropped his work. al
the surprise it is possible to feel being
expressed on his countenance.
Miss Elwellw he exclaimed ant
went to her.
run! They're comingw she gaspet
and got no further for lack Of breath
She caught at his arm, and he assisted
her to chair. but she remained stand
ing.
"No. no. Run for your llfew SHE
said hurrledly. '"They are coming
down here to wreck everything, ant
they mean harm to you"
!. "Who?"
1.-THE men. A whole mob of them
and they are all-oh, all tipsyw
Our men? Coming down here t.
wreck everything? 1mpossiblew
"They are. Listen!' A low murmur
barely audible, could be heard through
the open windows, mingled with tn,
sounds from the working face Of til,
canal cutting. THAT'S them," she con
tinued. "They are all crazy mad abou
some grievance against you and tn,
company. Oh, Mr.. Imrie, hurry! They
will soon be here"
"Our men" repeated Imrie, not a
oil comprehending. and added, "HoW
do you know this?"
THAT little Cusack told me, and
ran down here to tell you"
"Alone?" he asked in amazement.
eyes; hurry
alone across the toughest half milk
OF country in the state of Illinois? YOU
you did this for me" he cried, end
Ing In almost shout Of exultation and
looking down into the depths of hel
eyes, which for second, at his words
lost their feared look and became sui.
fused with soft light Of newly realiz
ed affection. He forgot completely the
exigency of the moment.
"oh, dear, can't you hurryY" she
said. Don't stand here while every
minute puts you in greater danger"
Instead of acqulesclng he prolonged
the moment of sweet triumph, until
she yelled her eyes from his steady
gaze. Then he leisurely went to
M'Keon's desk and pulled down the
top, shut the door and locked it and
fumbled in his pocket for bunch OF
keys, with exasperatlng slowness Sc.
Letting one for drawer of the desk.
She stood consumed with impatlence
the while, and finally asked. aren't
you going?"
mo. l guess not" lie replied calmly.
"Why? Oh, please, please. 1 won't
stay here another minute. Why don't
you go?"
well, in the first place." he said, 81
think there Is some mistake: but IL that