The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-08-08
A Substituted Hero.
[orlginal.l

cowboy and had started sheep ranch
Of his own. He was attentive to Belle
Clark, but was waiting for more prop
erty before asking her to be his wife.
Belle was poor and wished he would
hurry up.
One morning while Alec was out
looking after his sheep he saw In the
distance something far more exciting
An Indian was gaD6ping across the
plains carrying woman. Alec could
not recognize her at such a distance ex'
cept by her dress, which was red. Red
was the color Of the only dress Belle
Clark possessed. What would have
puzzled Alec had he not been too horri-
fed to think dispassionately was that
there were no hostile Indians in the
neighborhood- indeed, no Indians at
all-there being no reservation within
200 miles
The Indian was taking his captive
from north to south. Alec looking di-
reetly east. AS Alec. was about to
start in pursuit he saw far in rear OF
the abductor dozen mounted men.
evidently in pursuit One of their num-
Der was gaining on the rest and soon
put considerable space between him
and them. 1t was not long before
Alec recognized in this person Bill
Kearney, the only man he feared
might take Belle Clark away from him.
Alec was riding the best horse he
owned and had shorter distance to
go to reach the flying Indian than
Bill-that is, If either of them could
oyertake him. Alec had the advantage
of looking at the chase from compare
lively high ground. He saw how the
Indian must make detour about bit
Of swamp which would shorten the
distance between him and Alec. Alec
therefore shaped his course according
ly, hoping to overtake them before they
entered wood toward which they
were moving. He was spurred not
only by d desire to save the girl he
loved, bNt by dread Of her being res
cued by Bill, and so bitter is the spirit
of rivalry between men in such cases
that 1t Is questionable whether the lat
ter impulse was not as strong In Alec
as the former.
Alec was not In time to head off the
Indian. He could only follow in his
wake. But Alec was pleased to find
himself some distance ahead of any
other pursuers, including Bill. He was
now within range md had his rifle
with him, but he would be Obliged to
halt to fire, and even halt would not
prevent the likelihood of his killing
the girl instead Of her abductor. Once
he turned his head to look behind and
saw the other horsemen frantically
beckoning to him. But he would not
stop, feeling that the life Of the girl
depended upon his losing not mo-
ment of time. He fired shot over the
heads of the fugitiyes In hopes of dis
eoncerting the Indian. Hearing shout
behind. he turned again and saw the
men wildly reckoning. He concluded
that they We're warning him against
an ambush; but, ambush or no am
bush, he would not leave his girl in the
clutches or savage.
The couple ahead were now about to
enter the wood, and Alec decided to
make an attempt to shoot the abduct-
or. He fired, but dared not aim below
the Indians head, and doubtless aimed
too high, for he evidently produced no
effect. After firing he heard COM
blned yell from behind, but paid no
attention to it. The fugitlves dashed
into the timber, and Alec darted after
them. ...
At the entrance of the wood he was
surprised to see on a temporary plat
form a box set up, and beside the box
stood a man. Alec also heard faint
buzzing. The man looked at him as
he passed, but without any of the ex-
element incident to such a narrowing
occasion. He seemed to be unaware
of the frightfu1 features of the scene
enacted, though the Indian and his cap
tive must have passed very near him.
Alec had ridden but a short distance
into the wood when he came upon the
Indian dismounted and Belle standing,
wildly agitated, near by. The Indian
was pointing rifle at his pursuer
ready to fire. Indeed, he fired as Alec
came In sight. Alec slid off his horse
behind for protection and, taking de-
liberate aim, fired, The Indian fell
Belle gave shout of JOY, but mo-
ment later, seeing blood oozing from a
hole In her add tors shoulder, 1t be-
came a shrek. At that moment Bill
Kearney came crashing through the
brush
you stupid ASST he shouted
you've killed him. cried Belle
What does it oil meanT asked Alec,
astonished.
We've been acting scene for NOV
Ing pictures" roared Bill. "or tried to
till you Interfered."
by thunderP' exclaimed Alec.
"The whole thing is spoiledp called
a new voice. ats dead loss"
Alec turned and saw a man standing
by box similar to the one he had
passed on the edge Of the wood.
The finale was to have shown the
rescue by Bill Kearney, who was to
have shot In pretense the Indiana