The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-01

minutes. All ca 90 is to try to reach
my cabin
That viii not save YOU she expos
tulated.
No" griInly, Il know it will not.
EUt it viii help me to even up the
score little
Tie girl threw out her hands i'm
pea oUS!y.
ia shall not be that wayr' she cried.
her eyes flashing. "YoH shall he sawed
and Senior Steve punished. And vet
do not understand. Why should he
For plenty Of reasons. Luisita. Yor
promised to marry me after refusing
him, and then, only two hours before
he left, We found Il vein OF silver, how
rich l do not dare 10 say, but it made
Steve try to kill me and falling to run
away. lie came back with tie sheriff
and his posse. What story he told l
can only guess. But where are you 60
ing. Luisita:"
TO the bend round the clifI'-over
her shoulder. 1T is the only way into
the valley, ar l shall hold the men
until you can get away DO not go to
your cabin, but straight on over the
mountain. Hurry, The men Will not
harm me. When you get TO the wilder
ravines, hide. l will see that the truth
is known"
With a shout Of remonsuance he
hobbled in pursuit, but Luisita did not
even hear. She was already rods away.
plunsing through the bushes with the
one thought of being at the bend in
advance of the shcritf's posse.
They were edging cautiously across
a narrow shelf only a few rods below
when she reached the desired point and
threw her rifle in position. It was too
good a chance to be lost.
Hands up" she ordered sternly.
Ten pairs of eyes flashed at her in
CONSERVATION as the same number of
hands rose into the air, but as they
saw the face beyond the rifle barrel the
hands went down with simultaneous
relief. They had thought it Sells. Some
of the men began to laugh.
Il said Hands up" Luisita repeat
ed slowly. Il am not making words.
and most of YOU know how l can
shoot Senior Sells is escaping from
you now, and shall keep you here I'M
til he is safe. stop" as a rifle barrel
rose a little, 'or [ shall fire. You may
kill me, but | can send half of you
from that ledge before you do it. and
l Will. Now, up! Quick"
All the hands rose except Steve's.
With bitter curse he threw his rifle
into quick position, but before he could
fire it slipped from his nervelcss fin
gers, and he sank upon the shelf, only
saving himself from falling over the
precipice by a desperate effort.
THAT is only one" called the girl
coldly.
But look here, Luisita," expostulat-
ed the sheriff angrily you can't
thwart the law like this"
You are not unfolding the law"
contemptuously You are merely
helping a criminal. If Senior Sells were
here
He Is here" said a quiet voice at her
side, and another rifle barrel Joined
hers in menacing the whitening faces
on the ledge below. Now, sheriff"
the voice suddenly ringing out clear
and stern, you will take your men and
hurry back to town. And I would adj
wise you to take Steve Finter along.
The truth is known there now. rs you
will find, and it may be that you and
your men will have to explain 4 few
things. Hereafter, when you seek
man, hear his story as well as his ac-
cusor's. l have proof of my innocence
and StCve's guilt. You and your men
will turn and retrace your steps. tax
ing Steve along. You will find proof
of everything l say in town. Now go!"
They stood side by side watching the
posse down the mountain. Then Sells
lowered his rife
Il think you'll have to help me to
the cabin, dear" he said weakly. I'm
"a little used up"