Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-15


"oh, you rest easy bout all tibet.
Bill" chimed in Sandy Vim, his
black eyes dancing in anticipation Of
coming fun. Well git up the orn-
arrest outfit whut ever hit the pike
The long shadows Of the late after
noon were already falling across the
gloomy Carter, woods, while the red
sun sank lower behind old Bull noun
tain. Rev. Howard Wynkoop, who for
more than an hour past had been vain
ly dangling a fishing line above the
dancing waters of Clear creeks, now
reclined dreamily on the soft turf Of
the high bank, his eyes fixed upon
the distant sky line. His thoughts
were on the fossy hair and animated
face of the fair Miss Spencer, who he
momentarily expected would round
the edge of the hill, and so deeply did
he become sunk in blissful reflection
as to be totally oblivious to every
thing but her approach.
Just above his secret resting place.
where the great woods deepen, and
the gloomy shadows lie darkly all
through the long afternoons, q small
party OF hideously painted savages
skulked silently in ambush. Sudden
ly to their strained ears was borne
the sound Of horses hoofs; and then,
all at once, woman's voice rang out
in single shrill. startled cry.
Whit is up?" questioned the lead.
ing savage, hoarsely. ''1s he a-doin'
this little job all by hisself?"
Dunno" answered the fellow next
him, Tipping his quirt uneasily; but !
reckon as how it's her as squealed, an
we'd better be Citing in ter hev our
share o. the fun"
The Chief" with an oath Of disgust,
dashed forward and his band surged
after. Just below them, and scarcely
SO feet away, half-score Of roughly
clad, heavily bearded men were clus-
tered in the center Of the trail, two Of
their number lifting the unconscious
form OF a fainting woman upon
horse.
"Cervera's gang, by gosh!" painted
the leading savage. How did they
git yere?"
'You bet! She's up agin the real
thing" calculated a voice beside him.
Lets ride 'em OF the earth! Whoop!"
With wild yells to awaken fresh
courage the whole band plunged head
long down tho sharp decline, striking;
the surprised road agents" with a.
force and suddenness which sent halt
Of them sprawling. Revolvers flashed,
oaths and shouts rang out flercely, men
clinched each other striking savage
blows. Lumley grasped the leader OF
the other party by the hair, and en-
deavored to beat him over the head
with his revolver butt. Even as h's
uplifted his hand to strike the mans
beard fell OF and the two fierce COM
batants paused as though thunder
struck
Hold on yere. boy!" yelled Lumley.
This yere is some blame joke. These
fellers is Bill McNeils gang"
"By thunder! II it amt Pete Lum.
ley" calculated the other Whit did
ye hit me fer, ye long-legged mimi
jackass?"
The explanation was never uttered.
Out from the surrounding gloom OF
underbrush hatless, disheveled indi-
vidual ON foot suddenly dashed into
the center of that hesitating ring OF
horsemen. With skillful twist of hit
foot he sent dismounted road agent
spinning over backward and managed
to wrench a revolver from his hand.
There was blaze Of red fame, Q
cloud of smoke, six sharp reports, AID
q wild stampede of frantic horsemen.
Then Rev. Howard Wynkoop flung
the empty gun disdainfully down into
the dirt. stepped directly across the
motionless outstretched body, ard
knelt hunbly beside slender, white
robed figure lying close against the
fringe Of bushes. Tenderly he lifted |
the fair head to his throbbing bosom
and gazed directly down into the
white, unconscious face. Even as lie
looked her eyes Enclosed, her body
trembling within his arms.
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