Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-01
CHAPTER V.
For Life or Death.

Midway tiny tOlInOuSe and n1gn
red-painted tollgate bar the road.
This gate, stretching the full width
Of the highway, was nearly six feet in
height and was never closed except at
night.
The duties of tollgate keeper were
light, for there was little traffic along
that road.
Bill Loucks was tollman.
He was standing moodily in front OF
his gate. Things had gone awry.
In the first place, Bob Blessing had
utterly cut him out with Ora. In the
second, she might at any moment tell
| Bob of Bills attempt to murder him.
! III the third place, Loucks had been
bullied by Gladys Middleton into steal
! ing Ora's album which held the letter
and photograph of Ora's father. Bill
| had met Gladys in the woods as she
| had planned. She had destroyed the
photograph and letter and refused to
pay him a cent for his trouble, even
| threatening him with arrest.
So he had returned moody and dis
appointed to his post at the tollgate.
| He was in little humor for CONVEX
sation and scowled forbiddingly as
! Ezra Coolus hove in sight.
What the matter. Bill" inquired
| Ezra, persuasively. Look kinder sour
Got dime about YEP"
No" growled Loucks. Them
dime-borrering days is past, The Mid
dleton girls got my secret, and she
says she is going to tell. So what'd
| l be givin' you a dime for?''
oh. nothin'. Only I heard some
thin that maybe you'd like to know"
Bill hesitated. Then his curiosity
conquered. He held out a dime, and
said
well, what did you hear
We'll, | was-I happened, jest by
chance. to be lookin' through the fence
at Gatess this mOrnin,' and"
The thought that Ezra had witnessed
the theft of the auburn flashed across
Bills mind. Selling Cookus by the
throat, he shouted:
You saw me. did ye? Well, you'll
II didn't see yer at all Was you
there?"
Mo-" snaried Loucks, relieved.
Il know why you grabbed my throat
like that Just now went on Coolus.
'Why?"
Cause you don't like me-" whined
the aggrieyed Ezra,
Never mind that. What was it you
saw through the fence at Gatos's?"
i saw Blessin' ktestn' cry. An I
saw bIa ffon . mcHr, Jeit and she
picked it IL. g.. he ,oid her to take it
to the foreman, Bard, an he said it
was the dagoes' wages, an he rode off
another way 70 draw off them two
Writ boys that was follerin' him. So
/ went and told the Writ boys what
Id heard and give 'em tip to foIIer
her instead of him if they wanted to
swipe the money just then she rode
out of the Gates barn on that old
horse of hers, and they started after
her. l came over here by the short
cut to tell you about it. Why, what's
the matter?"
For Loucks had sprung to his feet in
wild excitement.
DO you know that there's $4,000
in that money belt?" he screamed.
An she'll hev to pass along here with
it. It's ten thousand for each of us
if you've got the sand to help. me
out"
why, how's that?'
Wen shut the tougate and catch
! her horse and take the money before
/ the Writes catch up"
But that's highway robb'ry, amt
/ it?"
It's $4,000 apiece. That's what
it is An We'll make a rush to git out
! Of the county safe with it and then
change our names an live like lords.
| Are ye with me, Ezra?"
There she comes now" cried Ezra
by way of reply pointing to a cloud
of dust half a mile up the road. She's
comm along like Hghtnin' on that old
hess of hers. And there's the Writ
boys after her. But she seems to be
gainin' on en-
Lend a hand here an help me shet
this tollgate," ordered Bill
'rhe massive gate swung shut.
The two men calmly watched the
gallant girl flying toward them
straight into a death trap.
Nearer and nearer she came, till
now they could see her white, set face
and glowing eyes.
Behind her Numbered the two
Writes.
She raised her eyes and a look OF
horror Ieaped into them as he saw
the toIgate closed.
open the toIIgate," she cried, as
she. galIoped forward.
open the tollgate!" echoed {
deeper voice in stern command.
Bill and Ezra whirled about, to SEE
l Bob Blessing vault over the gate an(
rush toward them.
3 Cant open it." growled Bill; ct:
= locked"
t It's your business to see it's KEEP
e open" began Blessing. Then he say
y the approaching figures of Ora and he
two pursuers.
d In an instant the whole truth fiashet
upon him.
e You'd rob her" he gas ped.
t We'll, We'll collect toll from he
:. anyhow" was the reply