Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-11-28

nevertheless, and stood near by while
her brother examined his victim.
Strive was breathing, aud, discover.
Ing this, the others lifted him with diff.
hculty to the couch.
Something cracked in here-ribs,
guess the Kid remarked. easpng and
feeling his own side. He was weak
and pale, and the girl led him into thu
bunkroom where he could lie down.
only his wonderful determination had
sustained him thus far and now thu
knowledge Of his hciplessncss served
TO prevent IIcleu's collapse
The Kid would not hear Of her go
ing for help till the storm abated or
daylight came insisting that the trails
were too treachcrous ana that no time
could be saved by doing so Thus they
waited for the dawn. At last they
heard the wounded man family call
ing He spoke TO Helen hoarscly.
There was 10 malice. only fear, in b..
tones
Il said this was my nndness-and I
got what | deserved, but I'm going 70
die. O Goblin going to die and I'm
afraid He moaned till the Bronco
Kid hohbled in glariug with unquench-
ed hatred
"Ycs, you're going to die, and did
it. BE game. can't youf | ehan't let
her 20 for help until daylight"
Helen forced hers br other back to biz
couch, and returned to help the wound.
cd man, who grew incohcrent and be.
gan to babbc.
A little later, when the Kid seemed
stronger and his head clearer, Helen
yenturcd to tell him OF their uncle's
villalny and OF the proof she held, with
her hope Of restoring Justice. She told
him OF the attack planned that very
night and OF the danger which threat.
encd the miners. He questioned her
closely and. realizing the bearing Of
her story. crcpt 10 the door, casting
the wind Ike a hound.
Wei have to risk It." said be.
The wind is almost gone and it's not
long till daylight"
She pleaded TO 90 alone, but he was
firm, "Ill never leave you again. AMI
moreover. l know the lower trail
quite well. Well go down the guch
to the valley and reach town tina,
way. It's farther, but its not 50
dangerous"
You can't ride she insisted.
Il can if you'l tie me into the sad
die. Come, get the horses"
1t was still ptchy dark and the rain
was pouring, but the wind only sighed
weakly, as though tired by its viO-
lcnce when she helped the Bronco into
his saddle. The effort wrenched a
groan from him, but he insisted upon
her tying his feet beneath the horses
belly, saying that the trail was rough
and he could take no chance of fall.
ing again; so, having performed the
last services she might for Strive, sha
/ mounted her own animal and allowed
/ IT to pick its way down the steep de-
scent behind her brother, who swayed
and lurched drunkeny IN his seat,
gripping the horn before him with
/ both hands.
They had been gone perhaps a halt
hour when another horse plunged furi.
ously out OF the darkness and halted
! before the roadhouse door. Its rider,
mud stained and disheveled. 1unc
! himself in mad haste to the ground
and bolted in through the door, ffa
saw the signs of confusion in the out
or room. chairs upset and broken. the
| table Wedged against the stove and be-
! fore the counter shattered lamp in
| a pool of Oil. He called loudly hut
receiving no answer. snatched lich,
| which he found burning and ran II
the door at his left. Nothing greeted
| him but the empty tiers Of hunks
! Turning, he crossed to the other side
and burst through. Another lamp vas
, lighted beside the couch where Struya
( lay. breathing heavily. his Ids halt
closed over mis- staring eyes. Roy
noted the pool Of blood at his feet and
the broken window; then setting down
his lamp. he leaned over the man ana
spoke to him.
When he received no answer La
spoke again loudly. Then, in a frenzy,
Glenister shook the wounded mas
cruelty, so that he cried out in terror:
I'm dying oh. I'm dying" Roy
raised the sick man up and thrust his
own face before his eyes,
This is Glenlster. I've come foi
Helen-whare is she?" 4 spark Of
recognition hickered into the dull stare
You're too !ate-Tm dying-aud In
afraid"
His questloner shook Strive again
"Where IS shnf" he repeated. time
after time till by very force OF his
own insstence he compelled realiza-
ton in the sufferer