Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-15
CHAPTER XIV.
The Rescue Of Miss Spencer.


upon by both Nadia and Mrs Guffy,
Brant nursed his burns, far more Sc
rious than he had at first supposed,
within the sanctity OF his tent. Glen
caid meanwhile recovered from its
mania of lynch law, and even began
exhibiting some faint evidences OF
shame over what was so plainly a
mistake. And the populace were also
beginning to exhibit no small degree
of interest in the weighty matters
which concerned the discriminating
love affairs of Miss Spencer.
Almost from her earliest arrival the
extensive cattle and mining interests
OF the neighborhood became agrees
sively arrayed against each other; aud
now, as the fierce personal rivalry be-
tween Messrs. Moffat and Mcneil
grew more intense, the breach per-
ceptibly widened. While the infatua-
ton of Rev. Mr.. Wynkoop for this
same fascinating young lady was
plainly to be seen, hts chances in the
race were not seriously regarded by
the more active partisans upon either
side
The regular patrons Of the Miners
Retreat were backing Mr.. Moffat to a
man, while those claiming headquar-
tiers at the Occidental were equally
ardent in their support OF the pros
poets Of Mr.. Mcneil. 1t must be con-
fessed that Miss Spencer flirted out
rageously and enjoyed life as she
never had done In the effete east
The Rev. Mr.. Wynkoop always felt
serenely confident Of an uninterrupted
welcome upon Sunday evenings after
service, wkile the other nights Of the
week were evenly apportioned be-
tween the two more ardent aspirants.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday
evenings the Miners Retreat was a
scene of wild hilarity. for it was then
that Mr.. Moffat was known to be COM
fortably seated in the Herndon parlor,
relating gruesome tales Of wild noun
tain adventure which paled the cheeks
OF his fair and entranced listener. Then
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
nights, when Mr.. Mcneil rode gallant
ly in on his yellow bronco, bedecked
in all the picturesque paraphernalia OF
the boundless plains. revolver swing
ing at thigh, his wide sombrero shad-
owing his daredevil eyes, the front OF
the gay Occidental blazed with lights
and became crowded to the doors with
enthusiastic herders drinking deep to
the success of their representative.
IT is no more than simple Justice to
the fair Phoebe to state that she was,
as her aunt expressed 1t, 'in dread
full state of mind" Between these two
picturesque and typical knights OF
plain and mountain she vibrated, I'M
able to make deliberate choice. While
laboring In this state> OF tndecision
late one Wednesday night Moffat
tramped heavily into the Miners Re.
treat and called Long Pete Lumley
over into deserted corner of the bar
room.
We'll, Jack" the latter began ex.
pectantly, "hev We rally got the cinch
on that cowboy at last, hey?"
"Dern 1t all, Pete, I'm blamed II |
kuOW, lCdSl WloO, GIL 60b nv ouA'S
prove-up. tell we tibet girls just
about the toughest piece O. rock ever
had any special call to assay. Ye SEQ
it's this way. She's got some durrl
down east notion that she's got ter be-
rescued, an borne away in the arms
of her hero like they do in them pesky
novels the Kids alters readin, and so
! reckon I've got ter rescue her!"
Rescue her from whut, Jack?"
.'Well, We see, Pete, maybe I'm part
~ to blame. I've sorter been enter
tainin' her nights with some stories
regardin' road agents an things O
thet sort, while, SO fur. as l kin larn,
tibet blame chump Of Mcneil hes
been hllin' her up scandalous with In
juns, until she's plum got 'em on the
brain. And now, reckon as how it's
got ter be Injuns."
"Whut's got ter be Injuns?"
"Why thet outfit whut runs of with
her, of course reckon you fellers
will stand in all right ter help pull me
out O. this hole?"
Long Pete nodded.
ssWell, Pete, this Is bout whutas got
ter be done, es near es kin figger It
out You pick out maybe half a dozen
good fellers who kin keep their moutas
shet an make injuns out of 'em. Then
you lay fer her, say bout next Wedne.s-
day, out in them Carter woods, when
she's comm home from school. IN
kinder naturally happen long by acci-
dent bout the head O the gulch, an
jump in an rescue her. Sabe?"
Lumley gazed at his companion with
eyes expressive of admiration. ely
thunder, If you haven't got cocoanut
on We. Jack! Lord, but tibet ought to
get her fyin'! Any shootin'?"
"Sure!" Moffat's face exhibited
faint smile at these words of praise.
1T wouldn't be no great shucks of a
rescue without, an this hes got ter be
the real thing. Only, reckon, ye bet
ter shoot high, so thar won't be no
hurt done"
When the two gentlemen parted
few moments later the conspiracy WAS
fully Matched, all preliminaries per
fected and the gallant rescue of Miss
Spencer assured. Indeed, there is
some reason now to believe that this
desirable result was rendered doubty
certain, for as Mofat moved slowly
past the Occidental on his way home
Deraon ottjred in chang and som.