The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

! al once. I've a revolver" he said: I'VE
\ kin barricade the room and hold 'em off
/ There are two windows here. opening
I out on the snow, but they are so high
/ they can hardly reach en- with their
/ hands. We kin make a good hight OF
/ it,
I've a pistol. too" said Mr.. PIummer.
and we must make 1t a fight 10 the
4 death"
He spoke quietly. but with determine
/ ton and a full knowledge Of all the dan
I ger that threatened. He glanced az Svl-
/ via, who, coming back from her half
/ dream, had risen TO her feet. Then he
/ walked to the door, because the King
was ever alert in the face Of danger.
What is it," Sylvia asked Of Harley.
| she knew by their manner that some
/ thing strange and terrifying had happen
! ed, and in such situation It was now an
/ involuntary act with her 10 turn TO Har-
| ley.
sylvia" he said-the others had fol-
/ lowed King Plummer to the door
! you ought TO know"
/ He noticed that, though pale, she was
/ quiet and firm
II ii is danger. / have faced It be-
/ fore" she said. proudly
AS you will face IL now, like the brav-
/ est woman in the West. Red Perkins
gang Of outlaws are out there. and they
mean to take Mr. Grayson to hold for
ransom, and you
Her eyes looked straight into his. and
suddenly they sh0ne with all the fulness
Of love and confidence.
They VIII not take me while your are
here she said
Not If We have TO die together. Sylvia
{ 7 f..Tfe
in this moment of danger know it,
He spoke truly. In the crisis their souls
were bare 10 each other He seized her
hands. and the brilliant color famed into
her cheeks.
Sylvia" he exclaimed. in a thrilling
whisper.
'Hush." she said "The others are about
10 come back
She gently withdrew her hands from his
and when king Plummer turned away
from the door he saw nothing.
There's not a shot to be fired" said
Jimmy GraysOn, because I've a better
plan. How long DO you think it viii be
before they come for me. Harley2''
About fifteen minutes, 7 should say; at
least that is what 1 gathered from their
talk
And they have not examined the build
or the town."
mo; they merely came down the trail
behind Us and slipped into that room,
waiting their chance"
VERY good. Jim, you told me a while
ago that the governor of Montana once
spoke TO 200 people in this room; It was a
fortunate remark of yours, because I shall
speak to as many people tonight in this
same room. Shut the door there. put the
saddles before it. and then build the fire
as high as possible
The candidates voice was sharp, de-
cisive, and full Of command The born
leader Of men was asserting himself. and
the guide, without pausing TO reason, has
tened TO obey. He shut the door. put the
saddles before it, and heaped upon the
fire all the remaining wood except a
stump reserved by Jimmy GraysOn's eX-
press command. The fire leaped higher
and the room was brilliantly lighted.
Jimmy Grayson stood by, erect, calm,
and grave.
Now. gentlemen" he said. you are
crowd come from Crows Wing to meet
me here. and to hear what have to say.
l trust that you viii Ike II, and indicate
your liking by your applause
The stump was placed in the middle of
the floor, and Jimmy Grayson stepped
upon It. His face at that height was visi-
side, although the others would be hidden
Just as he took his place Harley thought
he heard the soft crunch of a footstep on
the snow beneath the window He felt a
burning curiosity to rise and look out. but
he restrained il and did not move. The
guide was staring at the candidate in
open-mouthed amazement, but he, too, did
not speak. A few big white fakes drove
in at the open window, but they did not
reach the men before the fire that blazed
so brightly. Harley again thought he
heard the soft shuttle of footsteps on the
snow outside, but then the burning wood
cracked merrily. and Jimmy Grayson was
about to speak.
Sylvia stood erect against the wall, her
glowing eyes full of admiration. Her
quick mind had grasped the whole plan
Gentlemen of Crows Wing" said the
candidate, IN his full, penetrating voice
which the empty old building gave back
in many an echo, 1T is, indeed, a pleasure
to me to meet you here. The circum-
stances, the situation, are such as to in
spire any one who has been so honored.
I should like to have seen your little town
the home Of brave and honest men,
nesting as it does among these mighty
mountains. and far from the rest of the
world, but strong and self-rellant 1 ap-
preciate, too, your kindness and your
thought for me- Seeing the advance of
the storm, and knowing its dangers, YOU
have come TO meet me in this place. once
so full of life. find something singular
ly appealing and pathetic in this. Once