The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-06-26
A Substituted Hero.

TOrigfnaLl

cowboy and had started a 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 be saw in the
distance something far more exciting
An Indian was galloplng across tho
plains carrying a woman. Alec could
not recognize her at such a distance OK
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 horn
fled to think dispassionately was tina.
there were no hostile Indians in thu
neighborhocd -indeed. no Indians 81;
all-tbere being no reservation within
200 miles
The Indian was taking his captiv"
from north to south, Alec looking III
rectly east. As Alec was about L.
start in pursuit he saw far in rear o.
the abductor dozen mounted men
evidently in pursuit. One OF their mum
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 1911.
Kearney. the only man he feared
might take Belle Clark away from him
Alec was riding the best horse he
owned and had n shorter distance t.
go TO reach the flying Indian thln
Bill-that is, If either Of them couG
fsaf 4
of looking at the chase from compara
lively high ground. He saw how the
Indian must make a detour about a bit
of swamp which would shorten the
distance between him and Alec. Alec
therefore shaped his course according
~, hoping TO overtake them before they
entered n wood toward which they
were moving. lie was spurrcd not
only by a desire to save the girl he
loved but by dread of her being res
cued by BIZ, and so bitter is the spirit
of rivalry between men in such cases
that it 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 and had his rifle
with him, but he would be Obliged TO
halt to fire, and even a 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
reckoning 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 fugitives in hopes of dis
concerning the Indian. Hearing a shout
behind, he turned again and saw the
men wildly reckoning. He concluded
that they were warning him against
an ambush; but. ambush or no am
bush. he would not leave his girl in the
clutches of 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
bined yell from behind. but paid ne
attention to it. The fugitives dashed
into the timber, and Alec darted aftel
them.
At the entrance of the wood he was
surprised to see on q temporary plat
form a box set up. and beside the box
stood man. Alec also heard n faint
buzzing. The man looked at him as
he passed. but without any of the ex
element incident 70 such a narrowing
occasion. He seemed to be unaware
of the frightful features OF the scene
enacted, though tie Indian aud his cap
tive must have passed very near him
Alec had ridden but short distance
into the wood when he came upon the
Indian dismountcd and Belle standing
wildly agtated. near by The Indian
was pointing a rife Mt his pursuer
ready to fire. Indeed he fred as Alec
came in sight Alec slid or his horse
behind for protection and. taking de
lberate aim. fred. The Indian fell
Belle gave a shout Of joy. but a mo
ment later, seeing blood oozing from n
hole in her abductor's shoulder. il be
came a shrek. 1t that moment Bill.
Kearney came crashing through the
brush.
You stupid ass he shouted.
you've killed him. cried Belle.
what does it al mean?" asked Alec
astonished.
We've been acting scene for NOV
ing pictures roared Bill. ''or tried L
till you intcrfered"
-, ,