Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-01-21
CHAPTER xxII,-(cOn,Inued.,

CHAPTER XXII.-(Continuedl
All at once the hounds took up new
cry. and no longer gave vent TO the long.
drawn bay, but this had been supplanted
by short, eager barks Of fierce satisfac'
ti0n.
Jacks face turned tritle pale, and he
shut his teeth hard together, but his eyes
flashed, and his frame seemed to become
firm az rock.
Either the hounds had been suffered 20
go free, or else they had slipped the iensh;
at any rate they were untrammeled by
masters. aud were racing along after the
fugItlycs, rapidly coming mp with them
He had had much experience With
bloodhounds In the South, and know
there was but one remedy for II. Per
haps after all II would be for the best,
for, the hounds once out OF the way, their
pursuers would have no means OF BINDING
out where they had gone. not being Sklli-
ed in following q trail, yet II was far
from a pleasant task the young man had
before him.
Nora speedily comprehended the truth,
for she saw that something had occurred
10 give her lover start, and soon rccog-
nlEed the difference In the sounds BACK OK
them,
Nearer and nearer came the dread
sounds, and It was evident that the
hounds, knowing they were fast oyertak-
ing the fugItiyes, were anxious for the
carnival OF blood,
At last the ferocious hounds were 70
near that their sharp barks seemed to
hIl the wood full OF echoes, and Jack
could even hear them dashing through the
undcrgrowth.
The time for action had come. Quickly
he put Nora among the lower branches OF
a tree, and took up his station beside IT,
Not second too soon was this done, for
ont from the bushes sprang an enormous
dun n-colored hound.
The beast crouched at sight Of him, and
uttered low, terribly fierce growl. Even
In the moonlight II could be seen that the
hound was feroclous brute, black about
fhe muzzle, and with two rows OF sug'
gestlye white teeth showing behind us he
curled his lips.
His blazing eyes were fastened upon
Jack, and Il was evident that, Ike a pan
ther, he was crouching In order to make
fatal leap. Knowing the nature OF the
hrutes so well, the young man was wei
aware OF the fact that the time for &C
tlon had come. and that II he delayed now
all might indeed be lost.
Taking a keen aim, he fred. There
was a sharp yelp, and, as the little cloud
OF white smoke was swept away by th'
wind. the hound was seen writhing II
the agonies Of death.
The bullet had done It's work. Agar
the hammer was raised, and just In time
for once more the bushes were parted
and the form of another dog sprang int
view.
Like the first one, at sight OF the 10,
be came to sudden halt, and, crouchini
for a spring, gnashed his teeth In fury.
That pause, short though II was. provet
fatal to the terrible hound.
Again Jacks weapon sounded. Hi
nerves were Of steel, and nothing coul,
have exceeded his coolness, for he real
lied all there was at stake.
When a few seconds later this littl
cloud OF smoke was blown aside II re
vealed the second hound lying across tn,
body OF the first, and yet a third terri
BILE animal In the act of flying through tn,
bushes.
Once more the bloody tragedy had to b.
repeated. but this time, for some cause o
other, he failed to deal out death shot
and, wounded as the brute was, II mad
the leap.
Even while the animal was passinI
! through midalr the young man fred again
and when the animal struck it was with
| In two feet of him, so that he actuall
poured his third charge down the ami
mails red throat as II distended its jaw
ready to seize upon him.
That was enough. Flesh and bloc
could stand no more, and the terribl
looking animal sank back even at hi
feet, dead.
Leaving the dead hounds wheR the
lay the two once more hastened on, JAG
with his arm thrown protectingly aroun
his companion. His love for her was O
that deep, chivalrous nature that VOL
ships Its object.
Once they heard q chorus of savag
cries, and knew that their pursuers ha
discovered the dead hounds, but afte
that all was wrapped in the most lmpeI
etrable silence. They were safe.
There still remained the mission (
which both Jack and she were ready I
devote their lives, and after this terribl
experience at the hands of Doctor Gril
1t may be readily imagined that the
were even more earnest In their wor
than ever before.
Jack and Nora Warner finally reache
the house they had been aiming for. Hel
he had formed his arrangements befol
going to the asylum, and his gold ha
made stanch friends Of the cottager an
his old crone Of wife.
They were warmly welcomed, as SOC
as the old pair could get up and dres
, and Nora was given an extra room the
CHANGED to have, while Jack, having r
loaded the empty chambers of his revol
err laid down In the main room.
When morning came they partook of
hearty breakfast and then bade adle
to the old couple. Their hearts were no
fred with desire for vengeance, an
Jack wished to see the fury of an outrd
ed heaven descend upon the man wi
stood between him and happiness-a We
liable dog In the manger, as 1t were Il
J husband of Nora Warner.
CHAPTER XXIII.
When Roger Darrell tore himself aws
from the presence of the girl in who
his whole life was wrapt up, he did so
IAa n. - - Id tNNnR