Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-24

Its no use. Green. We might as well
be Off and trust to luck. We can't ask
what we want to know without arous-
ing suspicion and we'd better give it up.
The horses seem to be in pretty good
shape now and / move we start off in
the morning"
Before his friend had time to reply
woman's voice sounded clear and dis
tinct through the darkness:
Help! Help!"
The two men sprang to their feet.
Tom was little in advance as they
dashed off in the direction of the cries
and was first to arrive at little OPEN
ing, where red-shirted figure was
holding struggling form in his arms.
As he was nearly within striking dis
lance the female managed to free her
self, but instead of running away she
dealt the man a resounding slap on the
cheek and painted:
"You big brutei You-you-"
What she would have added was lost.
for the ruffian, maddened by the sting
ing blow, raised his hand to strike her
He was too late, however, for Just as
his fist was raised Tom dealt him a
straight right-hander that stretched
him on the ground at full length.
He made an effort and scrambled to
his feet, but it was apparent that he
was half dazed BY the blow and the
liquor he had bq6n drinking. He at
tempted to draw a revolver from his
! belt, but by this time he was surround
ed by angry men who had been at
! tracted to the spot by the outcry.
L Inv
hands and his weapons removed. At
first he attempted to struggle, but the
muzzle of n revolver pressed close to
his temple and a few cries of Lynch
him!" completely sobered him, and he
now looked fearfully about him at the
stern faces which beset him on every
eide.
"Whatn we do with him, boys?"
shouted broad7shoul giant who
appeared to be a leading spirit
Hang the scamp!" cried a voice near
| by.
"Nonseuse!" returned the big fellow.
What tenderfoot is talking now, It's
no hanging matter to kiss girl. Let's
| duck him in the salt water,"
A wild yell of delight greeted this
proposition, and the trembling wretch
was dragged off toward the beach with
| out ceremony.
Tom and his friend were about to re-
turn to their tent when a hand was
| laid timidly on his arm, and he turned
10 md himself confronted by the inno-
| cent cause of the trouble, who said.
| frankly:
| Il thank you. sir, for your help. The
| man seized me from behind so suddenly
that i screamed before / knew what
was doing. My fathers tent is close
| oy, and l just came out after some
| water"
Tom gazed with admiration at the
girl before him. Some one had thrown
an armful of wood on a fire a short dis
lance away, and by the pickering light
he could see her distinctly. She was D.
parently about IS years old, with low,
| broad forehead, large blue eyes, which
met his freely, cheeks flushed with the
4! excitement and mouth which, while
too large perhaps for classic beauty,
looked none the less bewitching. She
was dressed in tight-ftting waist and
short skirt, her ankles protected by
leggings, while pair of stout shoes
covered her feet.
The young man took all this in at a
| glance as he replied:
That's nothing. i happened to get
here first. Would you like to have me
see you safe TO your tent?"
The girl laughed and said. quickly:
"Oh, there's no danger! / was care
| less. I've got a revolver, and 1 know
how TO use it. 1 shall look out after
this. The man was drunk, anyway.
I'm safe here"
AS she spoke she nodded brightly at
Tom and turned to go, but at that in
slant a middle-aged man hurried for
ward and exclaimed:
CLARA! What is this 1 hear? Who
has"
Its all right, father" interrupted
the young girl, laying her hand afrec-
tionately on his arm. There's nothing
the matter at all. A man had been
drinking and tried to interfere with me,
but this gentleman knocked him down.
Then the rest came and took the rascal
| off 10 duck him; that's ALL"
That's enough, 1 should say" was
the reply, and turning to Tom, the man
extended ms hand, saying:
Il thank you, young man. It's the
first time I've known n woman TO be in
suited here, and I'm glad you came 10
my girls aid so promptly. I'm obliged
to you. Perhaps i can do you a good
turn some day. I'm an old miner, and
you are probably new at this sort of
life. Where are you from?''
"Pm from New Hampshire" replied
Tom, who could not keep his eyes from
the girls face. My name is Scott, and
this is my partner Mr.. Green"
my name is Avery" said the strang-
er, land I'm from the east, too. Drop in
and see me tomorrow. That's my tent
over there. Good night. Come, Clara"
There had been something strangely
familiar in the mans tones TO Tom, and
when he announced his name the truth
burst upon the young man all at once.
watt" he cried. Avery! Surely
you must be John Avery's brother!"
The elder man turned with an excla-
nation of amazement, while the girl
cried: