Gilpin observer., 1907-02-07

II think I'll get somebody OFT of
own tonight" Grafton said And
The boys will help me, too"
He was interrupted by distant
shouting at the far end of the street,
accompanied by loud laughter. Run
ming men appeared. and a mocking
cheer was raised.
Grafton started toward the trouble.
but Stanwood caught and whirled
him in the opposite direction.
"Look." he shouted, there's cloud
of smoke about Mrs. Cree's house.
It's riot! They've fired the house!
They're trying to kill Madge. They
may have dynamite there!"
Grafton gave one glance, jerlsed his
arm away. and raced up the street. A
few women and children were gath
ering at the gate. and a man was
running with a pail But most of the
male population was evidently at the
disturbance at the other end of town,
for the distant laughter and cheering
fioated up the narrow valley. Mrs.
Cree stood on the porch, wringing her
hands.
Where is she?" Grafton roarad.
Upstairs Mrs. Cree sobbed ''in
the chimbley. Oh, do something, Jim
mie. 1t may get dangerous"
Grafton dashed past, went up the
stairway three steps at time, and
ran down the hall to Madge's room.
The door was shut but blow from
his foot sent it back with a crash,
and he tumbled into the room. Madge
eto hot oil Zoe
bureau. She turned with a cry of
alarm, which shrank into an embar-
rassed silence when she recognized
the intruder.
go away" she said, quickly re-
gaining her composure. What do
you mean"
Grafton did not stop to explain. He
caught the girl in his arms, and lifted
her from the floor. She screamed
loudly and struggled to escape, but
he turned and ran into the hall
Let me be-" Madge cried Put
me down oh, help. help! He's
crazy"
Grafton half jumped and half fell
down the stairway, and ran out upon,
the lawn with his burden. Madge
oSiCtiieu dSdiu
Help, help" she cried
You're safe" Grafton murmured,
as he set her on her feet.
Stanwood came up. putting and
breathless, and gave his daughter a
enraptured hug. One hand came free
over her shoulder, and he caught
Grafton's arm.
Il can-never thank you enough"
he gasped. you've saved her life.
Daughter, the house-fre-dy
no doubt. The strikers -assassina-
ton. Grafton saved your life,"
Madge turned, round-eyed YOU"
she exclaimed. Il was in danger?
Oh. Mr.. Grafton-Jim l thought you
were insane. A fire? Dynamite?
Oh, Jim"
Grafton felt a lightning shock
strike him; she was in his arms.
Looking up in an ecstasy of wonder
ing joy he met Mrs. Cree's eye. The
widow stood staring, and on the in
stand burst into loud laughter. Some
how the smoke overhead had dimin-
ished. and the noise of the distant
mob had stopped.
A grimy-faced man came out of
Mrs. Cree's boarding house. "She was
a pretty neat blaze" he remarked,
''and made a most amazin' smoke for
just chimney"
What" Stanwood cried; "a chin
ney? Wasn't the house on FREE
But Red Cassidy and Dago
George?" Grafton gasped. Didn't
they set it?"
A newcomer advanced from the
gathering crowd. We've just got
done runnin' 'em out O. town" he
said. They're hikin' for the plains
by now"
Il thought they were trying to kill
you," Grafton said brokeniy. to
Madge. Il thought you were in dan
ger"
q was" she whispered. as she took
his arm and looked up with a trem-
bling smile. 81 was in danger of
losing YOU =.