Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-07

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dogs!"
Later stiIl Jasper Pulling called his
mother:
Say, ma, let pa be ready to get in the
buggy with me. I'll see TO him all right.
Wen neither OF us ever get a chance to
see anything like this ~again-please,
nanny"
Mrs. Pulling chuckled. "Ljah." she
said. you get your sack coat. You Amt
going out in the night air with Jasper in
your shirt sleeves"
For some time they sat in silence on
the porch. Now and then, ever nearer, the
deep and horrid bay Of the hounds came to
them. Presently the thud OF hooves and
roll OF wheels could be heard in the inter
walls. The Pulllngs and Mrs. Ballantyne
Joined the other members OF the household
at the front gate and stood waiting with
them in silence. Suddenly two long, dark,
gliding figures appeared in the moon-lit
road. Steadily they zane on. one slightly
In advance of the other. neither swift nor
slow, but moving with a horrid rhythm.
Nearer the beastly outlines defined them
selves and as they swept past the gate
their painting breaths, their low-hung
heads. their hanging tongues. the CLEAN
Of their white fangs and fiery eyes sent a
strange terror to the hearts OF the on
lockers.
God help the poor creaturei" Aunt
Charlotte whispered.
A few PAGES behind the dogs came the
deputy sheriff and his posse. followed at a
distance by a long procession Of men. in
buggies or wagons, on horseback OF on
bicycles. Behind these struggled a lot OF
hot, dusty and excited boys from town and
country.
UrrVRaon TYaEgaAA 49, a,@Y,ku h.-g0
stopped to talk with Mrs. Ba~llantyne:
81 wish to goodness Steve was here!" he
said. 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 the
scent all right. amt never changed that
trot since we left Philipson's."
Jasper Pulling took his father into his
buggy. The two hired men came out of the
, barnyard on horseback in time to Join the
procession, the young people strolled over
TO q neighbours. When Mrs. Ballantyne
was alone with Aunt Charlotte, she an
nounced her intention of going to Blufftown
and begged for q horse and buggy. Finally
her hostess said:
well. l guess the road is as safe tonight
as IL will ever be in this world, only, I
wish you'd let me go with you. Wen have
u ullCu up Olu JOG Ourselves, 1 guess
With little Stephen lying asleep on her
lap Mrs. Ballantyne drove along to Blu'f-
town. Arriving at the sherin's residence
she had no dih1culty 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
lawlessness. 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 / should have thought" Mrs. Bal
lantyne began.
Eyes, / guess most anybody would think
I'd be more likely TO help a mob than to
guard prisoners-unless It was your hus-
band; he always thinks the best OF a fellow
and I guess he'd trust me-"
"And so do l." she answered simply.
81 wish / weren't here, Mrs. Ballantyne.
or that Steve was-not that anybody will
hurt you. but you may see a sight you will
never forget"
But there must be no such sight! My
husbands honor is at stake. We must hold
the Jail until he comes at midnight! They
81H1 NAS AA9 AA1A - 80
Yes. and are trying to get i'm TO con-
fess 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 vent 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 a 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 soeiabls
quiet which always characterized the
] groups to be found there of summer even
ings-
But presently she became conscious of an
2 ominous stir outside. From the river and
the side streets groups Of men appeared
E and Joined others who must have been
waiting under the trees in the court house
yard. In a few moments the street waE
filled with them.
5 She sprung the shades to the top Of the
t windows. turned on all the lights. and
drawing a mall table to the center Of the
. room. sat down beside Il 10 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 tbs
r citizens and farmers who had followed the
man hunt came directly down Main street
TO distract attention. But she heard tbs
angry murmurs OF disappointment from tbs
crowd In front and realized that they were
bent on some awful deed.
, The shern's wife was a delicate. sensi.
tive girl. As she bent over her work the
= not blood surged into her face and hel
blue eyes brimmed with tears Of shame
8 what might not these men think or say o.
o herr" She held herself In her chair b.
sheer viii force.
The voice Of someone speaking from The
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