Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-05-08
CHAPTER vi.
To the Rescue.

The new aqueduct was decorated fol
the dedication exercises; but the meI
were sullen. They demanded their pay
Every moment of waiting lent strength
to the rumor that Middleton & Bless
ing were going to cheat them out OF
their back wages.
At length under the leadership Of
big Jake Wolf, the chief malcontent
the men had again turned into a
frenzied mob, and had hustled Bard
away, declaring there should be nc
dedication, and taking possession OF
the works.
Wolf jumped on a keg outside the
powder house and harangued the
crowd.
"Are we goin' to stand by and see
this dedication go on while we're beat
out of our pay?" he shouted. Shall
Middleton e. Blessing get wealth and
fame through their Lost River Aque-
duct while we, the builders. starve ?
Blessing promised to have the money
here by noon today. II amt here.
Neither is he. That shows he's robbed
us. Now, are we goin' to stand tamely
b yam see him do it?"
mo, No" howled the crowd
Then let's take the law into our
own hands and blow the whole aque-
duct into Lost River!"
A yell of delight followed the propo-
sition.
Break into the powder house some
of you" went on Wolf That's the
way Now, out with the kegs and
the dynamite, So! Now. lay the
train, and. in five minutes the work OF
Middleton e Blessing will lie in the
bottom OF Lost River I'll light the
fuse myself"
He stepped down from the keg and
striking match stopped over the fuse.
Stop"
The cry rang out in a clear, girlish
voice.
All turned. In the excitement
they had not heard the advancing hoof
beats of a hard ridden horse until
Ora gailoped into their midst and slid
exhausted from her painting horse.
"Stopl' she gasped once more.
'What'd we stop ror?" grumbled
Wolf.
"Because-because I've got the
money!"
A mighty roar OF joy rose from the
crowd and hats were thrown in air.
Wolf alone was doubtful.
How do we know she amt lyIn'?"
he muttered. II bet she hasn't a penny
of IT,"
Most of you know me-" retorted
Ora. Have you ever known me to tell
lie? All of you know Jake Wolf.
Have you ever known him to tell the
TRUTH"
A shout of laughter followed her
words.
III you've got the cash give it to
me- snarled the discounted Wolf.
Not on your life!!" laughed the
girl. IF did no one else'd get cent.
Mo- My orders was to give the money
to no one but Bard"
But Bard's gone away"
Find him them"
Despite VOLTS protests. the whole |
mob rushed of in search of the fore
man. leaving Ora alone.
The excitement over she sank list. |
lessly on the steps of the powder
house
I've saved Bobs honor. anyhow"
she thought, happily. He said twas
disgrace and ruin to him II the works
was destroyed I'm not educated nor
rich. nor anything like that, and | |
spose folks II sheer at him for mar,
Fyin' me. But | mean To get hooks
and teachers and study hard till I'm
clever and talk and write as good as
those city girls that laughed at me at |
the hop last night. He shant be
ashamed of me-"
A faint rustiing in the bushes !
aroused her from her happy reverie.
CHANGING around the corner of the
powder house she saw Bill I.oucks |
stealthily making his way toward that
building.
He mustn't see me-" she thought. |
There's murder in his eyes Hen
stop at nothin' now"
Noiselessly she slipped into the pow. |
der house, closing and barring the !
door behind her, but quite oblivious of
the fact that one of her bonnet strings !
was caught in the jamb aGd fluttered |
along the outside Of the Intel
She could hear Birs stealthy tread /
as he neared the space in front Of the |
powder house; then his growl of rage |
at finding no one there.
Urged by forlorn hope of getting |
the money before it could be handed F,
over TO the men. Loucks had followed
Ora from the tollgate.
He knew that his attempted robbery
would land him in state prison IL he |
were caught, aud he had determined |
on one inal struggle for the SEQ 1000
before he ded
Rage and despair had driven the
man nearly Insane. Ora could hear
him mutteripg curses and threats as
he stood irresolute near the aoueduct.
Then he spoke. unconsciously. his
thoughts as he moved nearer the
powder house.
TOO late," he grumbled. she's !
given Bard the money Yes. she got !
here just on time for here's the |;