The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-20
ASubstituted Hero.
LorIgInal.l-


i foriglnal.l
Alec Rowe had saved money as a
cowboy and had started sheep ranch
Or bis own. he was attentive to Belle
Clark, but was waiting for more prop
erty before asking her to be his wife,
Belle was poor and wished he would
hurry up.
One morning while Alec was out
looking after his sheep he saw In tho
distance something far more exciting,
An Indian was galloping across the
plains carrying a woman. Alec could
not recognize her at such distance ex
cept BY her dress, which was red. Red
was the color OF the only dress Belle
Clark possessed. What would have
puzzled Alec had he not been too horri-
fed to think dispasslonately was that
there were no hostile Indians In the
Observation-Disclosures. no Indians at
all--there being no reservation within
200 miles.
The Indian was taking his captive
from north to south. Alec looking al.
rectly east. As Alec was about to
start In pursuit he saw far In rear Of
the abductor dozen mounted men.
evidently in pursuit. One OF their num-
Der was gaining on the rest and soon
put considerable space between him
and them. 1t was not long before
Alec recognized In this person Bill
Kearney, the only man he feared
might take Belle Clark away from him.
Alec was riding the best horse he
owned and had q shorter distance to
60 to reach the flying Indian than
Bill-that Is, II either Of them could
overtake him. Alec had the advantage
of looking at the chase from compare
lively high ground. He saw how the
Indian must make detour about bit
Of swamp which would shorten the
distance between him and Alec. Alec
therefore shaped bis course according
". hoping to overtake them before they
entered wood toward which they
were moving. He was spurred not
only by desire to save the girl he
loved, but by dread OF her being res
cued by Bill, and so bitter Is the spirit
Of rivalry between men In such cases
that it is questionable whether the lat
ter impulse was not as strong In Alec
as the former.
Alec was not In time to head of the
Indian He could only follow In bis
wake. But Alec was pleased to find
himself some distance ahead OF any
other pursuers, including Bill. He was
now within range and had his rifle
with him, but be would be obliged to
halt to fire, and even halt would not
prevent the likelihood OF his killing
the girl instead Of her abductor. Once
he turned bis head to look behind and
saw the other horsemen frantically
beckoning to him. But he would not
stop. feeling that the life OF the girl
depended upon his losing not a mo
ment OF time. He fired d shot over the |
heads Of the fugitives In hopes Of dis
the Indian. Hearing shout |
behind, he turned again and saw the /
men wildly beckonlng. He concluded /
hat they were warning him against
IN ambush; but, ambush or no am
bush, he would not leave bis girl In the
,lutches of savage.
The couple ahead were now about to
enter the wood, and Alec decided to
make an attempt to shoot the abduct-
,r. He fired, but dared not aim below
he Indians head, and doubtless aimed
90 high, for he evidently produced no
'ffect After firing he heard COM
,ined yell from behind, but paid no
attention to it. The fugitives dashed
nto the timber, and Alec darted after
hem
AT the entrance of the wood he was
urprised to see on temporary Mat
orm bog set up, and beside the box
TODD man. Alec also heard faint
uzzing. The man looked at him as
e passed, but without any Of the cx-
itement incident to such narrowing
ccasion. He seemed to be unaware
t the frightful features Of the scene
nacted, though the Indian and his cap
I've must have passed very near him.
Alec had ridden but a short distance
1to the wood when he came upon the
indian dismounted and Belle standing,
vildly agitated, near by. The Indian
vas pointing rife at his apursuer
eady to fire. Indeed, he 'firedlas Alec
anne In sight Alec slid off Ills horse
ehind for protection and, taking de-
berate aim, fred. The Indian fell.
'elle gave shout Of Joy, but a mo-
lent later, seeing blood oozing from a
ole In her abductor's shoulder, 1t be-
anne shrek. At that moment Bill
Learney came crashing through the
rush. \,
"You stupid assv' he shouted.
you've killed him!' cried Belle.
what does 1t all meanp asked Alec,
stonished.
We've been acting scene for NOV
lg pictures" roared Bill, cor tried to
II you interfered."
"By thunderr' exclaimed Alec.
"The whole thing is spoiledw called
new voice. TITS dead lossv' T.
Alec turned and saw mar
!. B. PARKER, E.p. pApREp