Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-11-14

throw himself out OF the saddle and
clear OF the thrashing hoofs. It 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 Struve disappeared into
the outer room Helen darted to the
window. 1t was merely 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 1t
at him. She was very pale, and her
breast heayed as from a 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
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 commander:
Don't dare to stop mer' She NOV
retreat before her, and he obeyed. rec
ognizing the danger of her GOODNESS.
She did not note the calculating
treachery Of his glance. however, nor
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-
dark he would have resembled some
misshapen, creeping monster. for he
dragged himself reptile-1ike, close to
the ground. But as he came closer the
man heard a cry which the wind seem
ed guarding from his ear, and, hearing
It, he rose and rushed blindly forward,
staggering like wounded beast.
Helen watched her captive closely as
he backed through the door before her,
for she dared not lose sight of him I'M
til Free The middle room was lighted
by a glass lamp on the bar, and its
rays showed that the front door was
secured by large iron bolt. She
thanked heaven there was no lock and
key.
Strive had retreated until his back
was to the counter. offering 40 word,
making no move, but the darling
brightness of his eyes showed that he
was alert and planning But when the
door behind Helen. urged by the wind
through the broken easement, banged
to the man made his first lightning like
sign He dashed the lamp to the floor,
where it burst like an eggshell, and
darkness leaped into the room as an
animal pounces. Had she been calmer
or had time for an instant's thought
Helen would have fastened back to
the light, but she was midway to her
liberty and actuated by the sole desire
to break out into the open air, so
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, but
Strives arms closed about her. the
weapon was wrenched from her hand,
and she found herself fighting against
him, breast to breast, with the fury of
desperation. His wine burdened breath
beat into her face, and she felt herself
bound to him as though by hoops,
while the touch of his cheek against
hers turned her into a terrified, insen-
safe animal which fought with every
ounce of its strength and every nerve
of its body. She screamed once, but it
was not like the cry of woman. Then
the struggle went on in silence and
utter blackness, Struve holding her
like gorilla till she grew faint and
her head began to whirl, while darting
lights drove past her eyes, and there
was the roar of cataract in her ears
She was strong girl, and her ripe
young body. untried until this moment,
answered in every fiber, SO that she
wrestled with almost mans strength
and he had hard shift to hold her. But
so violent an encounter could not last
Helen felt herself drifting free from
the earth and losing grip of all things
tangible, when at last they tripped and
fell against the inner door. This gave
way, and at the same moment the
mans strength departed as though it
were thing Of darkness and dared
not face the light that streamed over
them. She tore herself from his clutch
and staggered into the supper room.
her loosened hair falling in a cleaning
torrent about her shoulders. while he
arose from his knees and came toward
her again, gasping:
"I'll show you who's master herer