The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-24
-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY

l had beaten the blood into her face and left 1t rich with color when she pushed open the door of the shack | The gloom within the hut was st first | impenetrable to her eyes, fresh, from the light. so that she stood for a mo- ment uncertain in the doorway. I To the disheyeled young savage who i scrambled to his feet, rifle in hand from the bed of ferns. she seemed a very goddess, of the forest storm. In l his alert attitude was an ominous | stealth that sent a deadly paralysis of l fear over the girl. She wanted to cry out; but something clutched at her throat and stihed the scream. Come in, miss, and shut the door. " The voice was low and gentle. but not the less 1t compelled her to a fear full obedience. His glistening eyes had for her the srattlesnake's baleful fasci- nation
 Are you alone?"
 He had to ask the question twice be- fore she found a voice with which to answer.
 he stopped to tie the boat she fal-
 His eyes narrowed Browning. he considered for a moment. then ordered the girl to a wooden stool by the fire place. The man leaned against the table, facing the door .watchfully. with his rife held easily in both hands Minutes passed silently, and the girls hurrying heart beat the leaden mo- ments for her like the.tick of a. clock. 2
 Her pounding heart stood still as the door opened Hendricks, burdened with an armful of wood, hesitated in the dim light as she had done.
 Where away, EdieT he called chcerfully.
 If you drop that wood or move a hand, you're dead man." came crisp Fly from the outlaw.
 The eyes of the two men met and fastened like the grip of steel. Recog
 milton leaped to both their minds, Hendricks face was snuffe3 candle, | but though the light was eXtin guished not a shadow of hinchine crossed the blue eyes. His first thought was of the girl
 Are you here Edie?" he asked evenly.
 ''Yes. Tom "
 Good. Don't be afraid" Nor was she any longer Somehow a weight had lifted from her breast l The halfbreed took the trouble to make sure Hendricks had no weapon before he let him unburden himself You may sit down." he commanded and Edith observed a curious note of | triumphant hostility in his voice
 Thank you.'' answered the young lawyer, smiling whimsieally. and he moved over to a seat beside the girl Something in the ease with which Hendricks had accepted the situation perhaps his lazy lSdifference of man. ner, stirred the outlaws vanity and re- sentiment.
 handed, snllenly
 Hendricks looked quietly at him.
 oh. yes, know you You are | Spence Sharkey.
 | The desperado swore a vile oath | "Yol'n know me better before long I Invent forgotten you. either, MT l Prosecuting Attorney Hendricks swore I'd remember you. and have I'm in great luck to get a chance to l get even so soon.
 | Well. you had better make the mos' | of it. I rather think they'll hang you when they take you. 1 The half breed moistened his dry lips The eyes in his furtive face narrowed to little slits where vanity and coward ice struggled together.
 They won't take me- he ooasted though a snarling whine ran throdgf his bragEadocio "Ill get away 10 th' head of the lake in your boat Three posses have been\efter me week ana