The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-16

Now. don't let's fight about this
It's no use, for I've played TO win
You have your proof-now I'll have my
price-or else I'll take it, Think over
which it will be while | lock up
Far down the mountain side a man
was urging a broken pony recklessly
along the trail. The beast was blown
and spent. its knees weak and bend
ing. yet the rider forced it as though
behind him yelled a thousand devils.
squirting headlong through gully and
ford. up steep slopes and down invisi-
bic ravTnes. Sometimes the animal
stumbled and fell with its master.
sometimes they arose together, but
the man was Needless of all except his
haste, insensibIe TO the rain. which
smote him blindingly. and to the wind,
which seized him savagely upon the
ridges or gasped at him in the gull
lies with exhausted malice. At last he
gained the plateau and saw the road
house light beneath, so drove his heels
into the tanks of the wind broken
creature, which lunged forward game
". He felt the pony rear and drop
away beneath him. paving aud scram-
bling, and instinctively kicked his feet
free from the stirrups, striving to
throw himself out of the saddle and
clear of the thrashing hoofs. 1t seem
ed that he turned over In the air be-
fore something smote him, and he lay
still, his gaunt, dark face upturned to
the rain, while about him the storm
screamed exultantly.
The moment Strive disappeared into
the outer room Helen darted to the
window. 1t was merely a single sash
nailed fast and immovable, but seizing
one Of the little stools beside the stove
she thrust it through the glass, letting
in smother Of wind and water. Be
fore she could escape Strive bounded
into the room, his face livid with an
ger, his voice hOarse and furious.
But as he began to denounce her he
paused in amazement, for the girl had
drawn Cherry's weapon and leveled it
at him. She was very pale, and her
breast heaved as from q swift run
while her wondrous gray eyes were
lit with light no man had ever seen
there before, glowing like two jewels
whose hearts contained the pent up
passion of centuries She had altered
as though under the deft hand of d
master sculptor, her nostrils growing
thin and arched, her lips tight pressed
and pitiless, her head poised proudly.
The rain drove in through the shat
tered window, over and past her, while
the cheap red curtain dashed and whip
ped her as though in gleeful applause
Her bitter adherence Of the man made
her voice sound strangely unnatural
as she commanded:
Don't dare to stop mer She NOV
ed toward the door, motiOning him to
retreat before her, and he obeyed, rec
ognizing the danger of her GOODNESS
She did not note the calculating
treachery of his glance however, mol
fathom the purposes he had in mind
Out on the rain swept mountain the
PROSTATE rider had regained his senses
and now was crawling painfully to
ward the roadhouse. Seen through the
dark he would have resembled some
misshapen, creeping monster, for he
dragged himself, reptile-lIke, close tt
the ground. But as he came closer the
! man heard a cry which the wind seem
ed guarding from his ear, and, hearing
1t, he rose and rushed blindly forward
! staggering like a wounded beast
Helen watched her captive closely as
] 10. h...o
for she dared not lose sight of him I'm
| til free. The middle room was Lighted
/ by glass lamp on the bar, and Its
rays showed that the front door was
secured by a large iron bolt. She
thanked heaven there was no lock anC
key
Strive had retreated until his bacl
was TO the counter, offering no word
making no move, but the darling
brightness of his eyes showed that h,
was alert and planning. But when tn,
door behind Helen, urged by the wine
through the broken easement, banget
to the man made his first lightning-lik,
sign. He dashed the lamp to the floor
where 1t burst like an eggSheu, ant
darkness leaped into the room as al
animal pounces. Had she been calme
or had time for an instant'S though
Helen would have FASTENED back +
the light, but she was midway to he
liberty and actuated by the sole desir
to break out into the open air, S
plunged forward. Without warning
she was hurled from her feet by
body which came out of the darkness
upon her She fred the little gun, bu
Strives arms closed about her, tn
weapon was wrenched from her hanG
and she found herself fighting agains
him, breast to breast, with the fury O
desperation. His wine burdened breat
beat into her face, and she felt herSel
bound to him as though by hoop:
while the touch of his cheek agains
hers turned her into a terrified, inser
safe animal which fought with ever
ounce of It's strength and every nerv