Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-21
The Spoilers.
By REX E. BEACH.
:. Copyright. 1905. by Rex E. Beach. =
By e E. BEACH.

grow wilder and then stiffen into the
stuhbornness Of a man at bay. The
posse was ut the door now. knocking.
The three inside stood rigid aud strain
ed. Then Glenister tossed his burden
on the bed.
Go into the back room, Cherry;
there's going to be trouble"
who's there?'' inquired Dextry
through the door. to 2uin time. Sud
denly, without n word. the girl glided
to the hot blast heater. nov cold and
empty, which stood in II corner Of the
room. These stoves. used widely In
the north, are vertical iron cylinders
Into which coal is poured from above.
She lifted the lid AMI peered In TO
find II n quarter full OF dead ashes,
then turned with shining eyes and
parted lips to Glenister. He caught
the hint. and In an instant the four
sacks were dropped softly into the
feathery bottom and the ashes raked
over. The daring was al
most as quick as the tlnsh of woman's
wit that prompted 1t and was carried
through while the answer to DeXtry's
question was still %unspoken.
Then Glenister opened the door care
,essly and admitted the group Of men
We've got a search warrant to look
through your house." said voorhees,.
What are you looking forT
Gold dust from Anvil creek
"All right search away"
They rapidly secured the premises,
covering every inch, paying no heed
to the girl, who watched them with
Indifferent eyes, nor to the old man,
who glared at their every movement.
Gienister was carelessly sarcastic. al
though he kept his right arm free.
while beneath his sangfroid was q
thoroughly trained alertness.
Mcnamara directed the search with
a manner wholly lacking in his former
mock courtesy. It was as though he
had been soured by the gall Of defeat.
The mask had fallen off now. and his
character showed-insistent. overbear-
Ing, cruel. Toward the partners he
preserved a contemptuous silence.
The invaders ransacked thoroughly.
while a dozen times the hearts of
Cherry Malotte and her two compan-
ions stopped, then lunged onward, as
Mcnamara or Voorhees, approached,
then passed the stove. At last Voorhees,
lifted the lid and peered into it's dark
interior. At the same instant the girl
cried out sharply. finging herself from
her position while the marshal jerked
his head back in time to see her dash
upon Dextry.
Don't! DON'T. She cried her ap
peal to the old man. Keep cool
You'll be sorry. Dex-they're almost
through"
The officer had not seen any move.
ment on Dextry's part, but doubtless
her quick eye had detected signs OF
violence. Mcnamara emerged. glover
Ing. from the back room at that mo.
ment.
LET them hunt" the girl was saying,
while Dextry stared dazedly over her
head. They won't find anything
Keep cool and don't act rash"
Voorhees, duties sat uncomfortably
upon him at the best, and. looking al
the smoldering eyes Of the two men
he became averse to further search
In n powdery household whose mem
bers itched to shoot him in the back.
cit isn't here" he reported, but the
politician only scowled, then spoke for
the first time directly to the partners
i've got warrants for both of you,
and I'm tempted to take you in, but
won't. I'm not through yet-not by
any means. I'll get you-get you
both" He turned out of the door, fol.
lowed by the marshal, who called off
his guards, and the group filed back
along the walk.
Say, you're a jewel, Cherry. You've
saved us twice. You caught VOORHEES,
just in time. My heart hit my palate
when he looked into that stove, but
the next instant 1 wanted to laugh at
Dextry's expression"
Impulsively Glenister laid his hands
upon her shoulders. At his look and
touch her throat sweIled, her bosom
heaved and the sllken lids fluttered
until she seemed choked by a very
food Of sweet womanliness. She
blushed like a little maid and laughed
a timid, broken laugh. Then, pulling
herself together, the merry careless
tone came into her voice, and her
cheeks grew cool and clear.
you wouldn't trust me at first, eh:
Some day you'll find that your old
friends are the best after ALL"
And as she left them she added
mockingly:
Say. you're a pair of shine des-
no.nlnn. Xo, nond a nnuarna.sN