Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-20
CHAPTER XXI.
Plucked from the Rurnino,

NsNSu iIOHH inc 6uFnln0,
That Miss Spencer was deeply agi.
lated was evident at a glance, while
the nervous manner In which she
glanced In the direction of those dis.
tant gunshots, led Brant to Jump to
the conclusion that they we're in some
way connected with her appearance.
oh, Lieutenant Brant," she cried
excitedly, they are going to kill him
down there, and he never did it at ALL
know he didn't, and so does Mr..
Wynkoop. Oh, please hurry. No.
BODY knew where you were, until |
saw your horse tied here, and Mr..
Wynkoop has been hunting for you ev.
SryWnere. He is nearly frantic, poor
man, and | cannot learn where either
Mr.. Mohat or Mr.. Mcneil is, and |
Just know those dreadful creatures
Will kill him before we can get help"
"a XIII whom?" burst in Brant, spring.
Ing down the bank fully awakened to
me realization Of some unknown
emergency. my dear Miss Spencer,
tell me your story quickly If you wish
me. to act Who is in danger. and
from WHAT"
The girl burst into tears, but strug.
gied bravely through with her mas.
sage.
ITS those awful men, the roughs
and rowdies down in Glencaid. They
say he murdered Red Slavin, that big
gambler who spoke to me this morn
ing, but he didn't for saw the man
Who did, and SO did Mr.. Wynkoop. He
jumped out Of the saloon window, his
hand all bloody, and ran away. But
they've got him and the town marshal
~ behind the Shasta dump, and swear
sAey're going to hang him if they can
only take him alive Oh, Just hear
those awful guns!"
Yes, but who is it?"
Bob Hampton, and-and he never
. I'D 1t at all"
Before Brant could either move or
. speak, MAZDA swept past him, down
ne steep bank, and her voice rang
out clear, insistent. Bob Hampton
attacked by a mob? Is that true
Phoebe? They are fighting at the
Shasta dump, you say? Lieut.. Brant,
you must act--you must act now, for
my sake!"
She sprang toward the horse, nerv.
ed by Brant's apparent slowness to re-
spond, and loosened the rein from the
scrub oak. Then I will go to him,
even If they kill me also, the
cowards!"
But Brant had got his head now.
Grasping her arm and the rein of the
plunging horse, you will go home"
he commanded with the tone of mill.
tary authority. 60 home with Miss
Spencer. All that can possibly be
done to aid Hampton I shall do-will
you go?"
She looked helplessly into his face.
"You-you don't like him." she falter-
ed; II know you don't. But-but you
viii help him, won't you, for nv
sake?"
He crushed back an oath. Like
! him or not like him, will save him if
9 be in the power of man. Now will
you go?"
Yes" she answered, and suddenly
extended her arms. kiss me first"
With the magical pressure of her
lips upon his, he swung into the sad
die and spurred down the road. 1t
was a principle of his military train
ing never to temporize with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. He
,reined up before the seemingly desert
cd camp, his horse flung back upon its
launches, white foam f1ecking its
quivering tanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap Of his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. Where are the men,?
"Playin' ball, most Of 'em, sir, Just
beyond the ridge"
Are the horses out in the herd?"
"Yes, sir"
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man; bring them into Glencaid
On the gallop. Do you know the old
SHASTA mine!" " . y
no, sir"
Halfway up the hill back Of the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front Of Il. This is matter Of Life or
Death. % jump lively now.i"
He drove In his spurs, and was of
me the wind. A number of men were
N the street, all hurrying forward in
me. same direction, but be dashed past
them. These were minors mostly
eager to have hand in the man.hunt
Here and there a rider skurried along
ana Joined in the chase. Just beyond
the hotel, halfway up the hill, rifles
were speaking irregularly, the white
puffs Of smoke blown quickly away BY
the stih breeze. Near the center of
this line Of. skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise in spirals.
Brant perceiving the largest group Of
men gathered just before him, rode
straight toward them. The crowd
. scattered slightly at his approach, but
promptly closed in again as he drew
up his horse with taut rein. He look.
ed down into rough, bearded faces.
Clearly enough these men were In no
ut spirit for peace making.
You damn fool" roared one.