Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-25
get ready to meet these towards. You
had better go or they will find you

had better go or they will find you
here"
She moved up the stairs, and, taking
the Judge by the arm, led him with
her. OF sudden she had assumed
control Of the situation unfalteringly.
and both men felt the impossibtlity Of
her. Pausing at the top, she
turned and looked down.
1--WE are grateful for your efforts
just the same. Good night"
ooh. I'm not going" said the young
man. "If you stick I'll do the same"
He made the rounds OF the first floor
rooms, locking doors and windows. AS
a place Of defense It was hopeless, ana
he saw that he would have to make his
stand upstairs. When sufficient time
had elapsed he called Up to Helen:
May come?"s
"Yes," she replied. So he assembled,
to find Stillman In the hall, half
clothed and covering, while by the
light from the front chamber he saw
her finishing her toilet.
Wont you come with me--its our
last chance?' She only shook her
head. 'Well, then, put out the light.
I'll stand at that front window, and
when my eyes get used to the dark
ness I'll be able to see them before
they reach the gate"
She did as directed, taking her place
beside him at the opening, while the
Judge crept in and sat upon the bed.
his heavy breathing the only sound
In the room. The two young people
efr nj oh ~ ~
the sweet scent of her person awoke
in him an almost irresistible longing
He forget her treachery again, forgot
that she was another's. forgot all save
that he loved her truly and purely,
with love that was like agony to
him. Her shoulder brushed his arm;
lie heard the soft rustic Of her gar
ment at her breast as she breathed.
Some one was passing In the street,
and she laid her hand upon him fear
fully. 1t was very cold, very tiny, and
very soft, but he made no move TO
take it. The moment dragged along,
still, tense, interminable. Occasionally
she leaned towards him. and he stoop-
ed to catch her whispered words. At
such times her breath beat warm
against his cheek, and he closed his
teeth stubbornly. Out in the night a
wolf-dog saddened the air. then came a
sound Of others wrangling and snarl-
ing In nearby corral. This is chick
less land and no cock-crow breaks the
midnight peace. The suspense en-
HANGED the judges perturbation till
his chattering teeth sounded like cas-
tanets. Now and then he groaned.
The watchers had lost track OF time
when their strained eyes detected dark
blots materializing out OF the shad-
ows.
There they come" whispered Glen
lister, forcing her back from the aper-
ture; but she would not be denied, and
returned to his side.
AS the foremost figures reached the
gate, Roy leaned forth and spoke. not
loudly, but in tones that sliced through
the silence, sharp, clean, and without
warning.
Halt! Don't come inside the fence
There was on 1nstant's confusion;
then. before the men beneath had time
to answer or take action. he contin.
ued: This is Roy Glenister talking
II told you not to modest these people
and Iwarn you again. We're ready for
you"
The leader spoke. you're traitor
Glenister."
He WINGED. Perhaps am. You be
trayed 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 went
Is the Judge. We won't hang him, no,
If he'll wear this suit we brought
along. He needn't be afraid. Tar is
good for the skin"
"Oh, my God!" groaned the limb Of
the law
Suddenly man came running down
the planked pavement and into the
group.
"McNamara's gone, and SOS the
marshal and the rest" he painted
There was moments silence, and
then the leader growled to his men
Scatter out and rush the house, boys
He raised his voice to the man In the
window. "This Is your work-yo,
damned turncoat" His followers melt
ed away to the right and left. vaulted
the fence, and lodged into the shelte,
OF the walls. The click click OF Glen
ister's Winchester sounded throughou,
the room while the sweat stood out 81
him. He wondered II he could do this
deed. If he could really fire on these
people. He wondered II his muscle;
would not wither and paralyze before
they obeyed his command.
Helen crowded past him and. lean
ing half out Of the opening, calico
loudly, her voice ringing clear ane
true:
Wait! Wait moment. hav.
something to say. Mr.. Glenister didn'
warn them. They thought you wer,
going to attack the mines and so the,
rode out there before midnight. an
telling you the truth, really. They lef
hours ago." It was the first sign sh,
had made, and they recognized her *
a man.
There were uncertain mutterings be
low till new man raised his voice
Both Roy and Helen recognized Dex
try.
Boys. we've overplayed. We dom
want these people McNamaras OF,
meat. Old bald-face up yonder has /,