Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-09-16

IuCeS WERE SET Ill IL SOIL Oh Steeiy Wulte-
ness. Instinctively Micklejohn under
stood and in understanding compre-
hended how much he had mistaken his
vocation. The elemental savage woke
in him. Love, religion, honor, ambi-
ton, We're as nothing by contrast with
this lust for n weapon, this mad desire
to fight to the death. He was wholly
unarmed in the face of tremendous
Odds He was better horsed than any
of the three and to the full as good n
rider. His one chance was to ride them
down and run for it. 1t was character
istic that the thought Of turning back
never once entered his mind.
He gathered up the reins, bent his
head whistled softly and spurred
straight ut the line. Jack swerved his
horse the least bit, let the other get
his head well past, then, leaning light
ly, tore the reins from Micklejohn's
grasp and threw his horse upon his
launches. The force Of impact swung
his own horse around. In an instant
both animals had fallen. The riders, at
hard grips, writhed free of the strug-
Cling beasts, staggered, swayed back
and forth through breathless heart
breaking minute, then fell prone in the
rocky road.
Micklejohn stood six feet, He had
brawny, broad shoulders and loose
jointed, long reaching arms; but, try as
he might he could not free himself.
jacks arms were locked about the big
chest like a steel band, momentarily
Tightening. Not word had been spo-
ken. None was needed. Micklejohn
knew he was paying for what they had
taken as an insult to Lassaphine. The
knowledge was mere feeling. He nei-
ther thought nor planned consciously.
Lille meant fighting-nothing more nor
less-fighting an antagonist he ought to
crush with one arm, who yet seemed
likely to best him.
| He shut his eyes, but opened them
instantly. he could see nothing but
rings of red and yellow and green melt
ing into blackness. Still Jacks grip
held, viselike, agonizing. His breath
went no lower than the throat. He
must break the grip or perish. With n
mighty plunging surge he got to his
knees, loosed one hand, clinched 1t and
struck Childers blow full in the face.
Blood followed 1t, red blood, warm and
sticky. 1t came in trickling jet, but
did not dim the fire in Jacks eyes. Still
he held hard, swaying back and forth,
foiling Micklejohns efforts to get upon
his feet. He saw the purple face, the
staring eyes. He knew the end was
only minute away.
Triumph was in his grasp. Mickle-
john had struck him again, feeble,
glancing blow. All at once whirlwind
seemed to rage behind him. His arms
We're torn loose. He was flung violently
aside. Lassaphine, her eyes blazing,
stamped her foot and cried Shame!
Shame! Shame on you! After this new
er call yourselves menH'
.You-don't- you can't tive set
OH him three to one7' Jack gasped.
She nodded coldly 81 can't think
anything else" she said. 81 know well
why-because he took 1t on himself tor
sass Sonny an me- A preachers same
as q woman-tt amt fitten fer him. ter
fight, no matter how much strength en-
will he may have. could mighty nigh
manage you, Jack, fair fist an skull
but You wouldn't lay the weight Of
your hand ON me, no. matter whnf
might do"
No" Jack said, "nor let anybody
else"
Wno piailneu thls robustness hrstT
en az. usheu, sun severe.
All of u.s." said Haskell laconically
nj ho tbr.s,oa Taa,. 80 -. ~ uii'lsiie Gu
tho orgvnant 49,, ~ 20 90. eoi.e tltei
Iossnnh;nn,s 49, -. 80 ,ne
/. ..you ~, 30 -, ~, - ., iit.ie
watt y sha sata ~ " . ,ne house an
snmatb,n. 1s,..' .l,e IS th l'e's
1 Rrother AItcL,a,tlhn "oAu 'ef say e'
"pm ,erata s' ~ " :.
c,oomi,v as .hnn DOC sue
AWAY .Ramami,o. "i,u roue
nm ~ Tho lost 20 10y. now sue Lnushee
othar wo,nan go S1a ~ .le uiii ilke NJ
nkaly tar No. 81, >. W W. even sae'f
nreachsrn W. osei . soou iooRln
"naas,,. ~,
with : ba,e A 60 49, y, hasken adfntsfed
".rwon,d Nv s s,,., ss
won ~ ,,,. hoWs eFs WEI
~ r,,n,s,,,, ~ .t,et Ier i'ths 1nstPat
Ho ,ntandod W. VI tass country a
n ~ Ians -. I" AHt DO you think abou
Is =.
W. nothlngs jack said. a
l AAOaeh QUE OIcls 0r(AaHll tsvgltfht