Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-10
then he groaned.

Dl0ts materlaiizing ont of the shadows
.'There they come, whispered Glen
lister, forcing her back from tie aper
ture; but she would not be denied. and
returned to his side.
AS the foremost figure reached the
gate Roy leaned forth and spoke, not
loudly, but in tones that sliced through
the silence, sharp, clean and without
warning.
Haiti Don't come inside the fence. "
There was an instants confusion; then,
before the men beneath had time to
answer or take action, he continued
This Is Roy Glenister talking. I told
you DOT to molest these people. and I
warn you again. We're ready for
you
The leader spoke. You're traitor,
Glenisters
He WINGED. Perhaps I am. You
betrayed me first though; and, traitor
or not, you can't come into this house. :"
There was murmur at this. and
some one said
Miss Chester is safe. All we want
Is the Judge We won't hang him,
not il he'll wear this suit we brough
along He needn't be afraid Tar is
good for the skim
"Oh. my Godr' groaned the limb Of
the law
Suddenly man came running down
the planked pavement and into the
group.
"MeNamara's gone aud SOS the mar
shal and the rest" he painted. There
was a moments silence. and then the
leader growled to bis men. Scatter out
and rush the house, boys" He raised
his voice to the man In the window
This is your work. you damned turn
coat" His followers melted away to
right and left yaulted the fence and
lodged into the shelter Of the walls.
The click, click of Glenister's Winches.
ter sounded through the room, while
the sweat stood out on him. He won
dered if he could do this deed, If he
could really fire on these people He
wondered if his muscles would not
wither and paralyze before they obey
ed bis command
Helen crowded past him and. lean
ing half out of the opening, called
loudly. her voice ringing clear and
true:
wait! Wait moment! have
something to say. Mr. Glanister did
not warn them. They thought you
were going to attack the mines. and
so they rode out there before mid
night. am telling you the truth,
really They left hours ago" 1t was
the first sign she had made. and they
recognized her to man.
There were uncertain mutterings be
low till new man raised his voice
Both Roy and Helen recognized Dex-
try.
Boys, we've oyerplayed. We don't
want these people-McNamara's our
meat. Old bald face up yonder has to
do what he's told, and I'm ag'in this
twenty to one midnight work. I'm
goin' home" There were some whis.
perings. then the original spokesman
called for Judge Stillman. The old
man tottered to the window, palsied
terror stricken object The girl was
glad he could not be seen from below
I'VE won't hurt you this time, Judge
but you've gone far enough. Well
give you another chance; then. if you
don't make good, we'll stretch you to
a lamp post. Take this as a warning
II s-shali do my d-d-duty," said the
Judge
The men disappeared into the dark
ness. and when they had gone Gienis
ter closed the window, pulled down the
shades and lighted lamp. He knew
by how narrow a margin tragedy
had been averted If he had fred or
these men, his shot would have kindled
feud which would have consumed
every vestige of the court crowd and
himself among them He would have
fallen under a false banner, and his
life would not have reached to the
next sunset Perhaps it was forfeit
now. He could not tell The vigilantes
would probably look upon bis part as
traitorous. and at the very least he
had cut himself of from their support
the only support the nOrthland offered
him. Henceforth he was renegade
pafiah, hated alike by both factions
He purposely avoided sight Of StilImar
and turned his back when the Judge
extended his hand with expressions of
gratitude. His work was done, and he
wished to leave this house. Helen fol-
lowed him down to the door and as he
opened it laid her hand upon bis sleeve.
Words are feeble things, and can
never make amends for all you've done
for us"
"For us!'' cried Roy, with break IN
his voice. do you think | sacrificed
my honor betrayed my friends. killed
my last hope, ostracized myself, for
.us?' This is the last time I'll trouble
you. perhaps the last time I'll see you.
No matter what else you've done, how.
ever, you've taught me lesson, and /
fho rlx vct7 for. II hava faiIad f11VSalf r