Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24

Steadily they came on, one slightly in ad-
vance of the other. neither swift nor slow.
but moving with horrid rhythm. Nearer
the beastly outlines defined themselves
and as they swept past the gate their pant
ing breaths, their loW-hung heads, their
hanging tongues, the CLEAN of their white
fangs and fiery eyes sent strange terror
to the hearts Of the onlookers.
God help the poor creature!' Aunt Char
lotte whispered.
A few PAGES behind the dogs came the
deputy sheriff and his posse, followed at a
little distance by long procession Of men,
in buggies or wagons, on horseback or on
bicycles. Behind these struggled lot Of
hot. dusty and excited boys from town and
country.
Truman Wallace, the deputy sheriff, stop
ped to talk with Mrs. Ballantyne:
II wish to goodness Steve was here!'' he
said. 1.-THE towns full of toughs. and II
we get the other 'un tonight they'll be a
mob sure!' He mopped his brow. Jest
look at them devilish dogs: they're on his
scent all right. amt never changed that
trot since we LETT Phflipson's."
Jasper Pulling took his father into his
buggy. Two hired men came out Of the
barnyard on horseback in time to join the
procession. the young people strolled over
to a neighbours When Mrs Ballantyne
nounced her intention of going to Bluff
town, and begged for horse and buggy.
Finally her hostess said:
"Well. guess the road Is as safe tonight
do IL WILL ever Dc III ILLS WOElU, OLly, /
wish you'd let me go with you. Well have
to hitch up old Joe ourselves, guess"
With little Stephen lying asleep on her
lap Mrs. Ballantyne drove alone to Bluff
town. Arriving at the SheriffS residence
she had TO difficulty in entering, although
the place was clearly in a state Of siege.
In the hall which separated the dwelling
from the Jail she came upon a man with a
gun. and was surprised to recognize Bar
nett Crane. a handsome. reckless young
scamp. whose reputation was built upon
fawiessness. He understood her surprise
at seeing him there and explained humbly:
Truman had trouble getting help. Seems
like most OF the boys would rather see this
thing from the outside"
But I should have thought" Mrs. Bal
lantyne began.
Yes. guess most anybody would think
I'd be more likely to help mob than to
guard prtsoners-unless 1t was your hus-
band; he always thinks the best Of fellow.
and guess he'd trust me-"
And SO do l." she answered simply.
Il wish you weren't here Mrs Ballantyne,
or that Steve was-not that anybody will
hurt you. but you may see sight you will
never forget
husbands honor Is at stake. We must hold
the Jail until he comes at midnight They
have the first man here safe?"
Yes and are trying to get him to confess
before they get here with the other"
They haven't caught him?"
Yes, asleep in a cabin on Noseworthy's
farm. The door wasn't fastened and the
dogs went straight to the bed where he
lay! Truman telephoned from Longs"
Tell Mr.. Wallace that he must hold the
jail until Mr. Ballantyne comes"
She carried little Stephen to her own
rooms. When she had put him to bed she
stood for moment at the front window Of
the parlor. which was in the second story
The summer night brooded as peacefully
here as In the country. The streets were
deserted save for shadowy figures that
emerged now and then from the black gulf
OF the street which dips between the bluffs
to the river. Men were sitting about the
doors Of the hotel opposite in that sociable
quiet which always characterized the
groups to be found there Of summer even
ings.
But presently she became conscious Of an
ominous stir outside From the river and
the side streets groups of men appeared
and joined others who must have been
waiting under the trees in the court house
yard. In a few moments the street was
filled with them.
She sprung the shades to the top of the
windows, turned on all the lights, and draw
Ing small table to the center Of the room
sat down beside 1t to sew. The sound OF
wheels told her that the deputy sheriff was
bringing the second murderer. She could
not know that he really came through back
streets and alleys while the citizens and
farmers who had followed the man-hunt
came directly down Main street to distract
attention. But she heard the angry muir
murs OF disappointment from the crowd Ia
front and realized that they were bent on
some awful deed.
The sheriffs wife was a delicate sensitive