The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1903-11-12

n fellow, too tipsy to stand upright with
out support, leaned against the oaheil
gallery rail and nodded his head to
every observation. 1t looked as II thes
were coming in potvaliant mood to beat
up my quarters and arenge thelr shcea
polls. Their weapon testified to the
state of their wits. The n who was
haranguing carried q short sword, the
other held a heavy stick in his risht
hand and a great leathern jack IN MS
right.
Presently the jack went up to his
lips, back went his head, and ne TOOK
a hearty draught. Then he handed the
vessel to his companion with an m
phatic nod, and shook his stick at me
in turn. While the MAJ with the sword
drank. the fellow with the club pre-
serving an immoEable soiennity OF
face, began to strike ~Ihunderous blows
upon the stout rail and to below a
resounding stave. Almost with the nrst
words of his song, SIAM rushed up 10
i him and began to speak excttedlyt re
took not the least notice of her, and, IN
tanothcr moment, Enid stood before him,
pointing downstairs, and commanding
him to leave the gallery.
With a cry OF drunken fury he turned
short upon her and aimed a blow with
his fist SS:gsr: was hatuaesn them Ike
lightning and received the blow upon
! her shoulder. Its force was such, how
| ever, as to huri her violently against
her mistress and both Went he2oions
to the floor, Enid striking her head
| against one OF the heavy clumsy chairs
with which the gallery was furnished.
Choking with rage. | darte1 down b
stairs and few BOZ the rufaan, now
swinging up his club TO strike at sEs
PROSTATE ard defsnseless
The carbine was in my hand. but at
such close quarters / dare not use shot.
/ reversed it as I ran. gripped the bar
rel in my right hapd a few inches be-
low the trigger and dashed the stock
into the face OF my foe.
The crashing blow o him squarely
across the Jaw and cheek. and down
he went, the blood spouting from nose
and mouth and ears / turned upon
the second fellow, who was just rails
ing his sword in slow, tipsy fashion.
Him ! struck a butting blow which took
him in the chest and sent him spinning
the flags Of ne hall. Turning. / found
Siani already on her feet and half lift
ing her mistress.
l flung away the carbtne, sprang for.
ward, took the dear burden from her,
and hurried to my lair as a shouting,
furious crowd sprang on us from be-
low. I made two steps along the upper
gallery, laid Enid down in the shelter
of the wall. and jumped back to hold
the stair head siani had followed at
my heels and ran to her mistress.
A noisy moi was gathered in the gall
lery about the fallen a several reel
ing on theiT feet, all shouting one
thing OF another at the top of their
voices, wrangling, yelling, shaking fists
toward the darkness that hid me. full
of the rage of drink, yet none daring
TO set foot toward my hold. My anger
was such that I would hav slain the
whole batch of rogues at a blow had it
lain in my power. I poured into the
crowd every shot I could muster, the
swan shot and the bullets from the
second pistol.
They howled in alright at this sud-
den shower of lead and RAJ TO over,
two or three groaning dismally. as if
the bullets had found their billet. a
thing likely enough at SO short a
range. and the place was clear again.
How is she, Siafi?9 I whispered anx-
iously.
She is quite weH. answered the
sweetest voice in the world. II was
only gfddy for the moment. Have they
hurt you at ALP"
Not a scratch said I; II have had
the most wonderful fortune
And your fiead2" she asked.
1T srnarts d little" I replied. moth
ing more
back to do something's" asked Enid.
I laughed. and told the story Of the
two handfuls OF swan shot.
Il was sure os it, she said. T was
in the Kitchen giving some orders to
the ONE there. and Siani was with
me. when the doorWas suddenly
slammed to and held against us. i felt
sure IT was to prevent n warming be-
ing given to you of some plan, but
Siani screamed as loudly as she could,
and took Off her shoe and beat the
door with the heel
81 heard 1T plainly.'I replied; plain
". There was a distinct sound of warn
Ing inst, too, though I a already
seen them and was prepared.
81 think 1T was that. went on Enid,
n which made the strangers angry with
us
And 1T is. all my fault said i.
sOh. no, no, she cried, ut isl who
should beg your forgiveness tor leading
into all this Z
And pray said ], what would my
case be at this moment IL you had moi
Sexerted your Influence to save me? Had
have been shot or stabbed within a
minute of your back being turned.
Whitesock could not fend off bullets.
and 4 had been an instant target but
for your goodness tome.
She drew long breath and there
wasasilenGe for few moments. She
stood up and stepped forward.
e said I,sssyou do5not think Of
going down again
ought to dose, she began. Their
stopped.
Very good + returned; it . wish
HssSIs sssi,l@eeas With a,lsS@andMsee@tha
you@are unnlolested as tar asI car
compass III. 2ssss
Oh, no, She said hurriedly, Oh, no
no, you must notsdo so. Yousrnus nol
leave this secure post
%ssAnd Lam to sit here.then, In com
parative security and picture yot
somewhere below, e~xposedSto thesirl,
suits of drunken Tufflans?
sssYou could escape said he;;SgsI an
sureyou could escape There is NJ
watch posted about the houses;alI art
indoors. engaged too much tn theil
drink and duarreling to give any attens
tionssto what 8 on W%itfollt
ssASy returned escape easil1
enough present, 4 believe y WoulS
be gmr3e to slip down aWildov
landwIiistle lb%W hitesockssswho thank
isagain HI you, Is wandering sonaeWfeT'
FAT ham Observation-Disclosures"