Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-11-14

falling back against the wall. His
eyes filled with horror and shifted
down where his hand had clutched at
his breast. plucking at ono spot as if
tearing barb from his bosom He
| jerked his head toward the door at his
elbow In quest of retreat. shudder
ran over him, his knees buckled and
he plunged forward upon his face. his
arm still doubled under him.
1t had happened like dash of light,
and although Helen felt. rather than
heard, the shot and saw her assailant
fall, she did not realize the meaning Of
1t till drift of powder smoke assailed
her nostrils Even so, she experienced
no shock or horror of the sight. On
the contrary, savage joy at the spec
tacle seized her and she stood still.
leaning slightly forward, staring at it
almost gloatingly, stood so till she
heard her name called. Helen, little
sister, and turning, saw her brother
in the window.
That which he witnessed in her face
he had seen before in the faces Of men
locked close with hateful death and
from whom all but the most elemental
passions had departed, but be had
never seen a woman bear the marks
till now. No artifice nor falsity was
there. nothing but the crudest. inten-
sest feeling, which many people live
and die without knowing. There are
few who come to know the great
IN
this black night. fighting in defense of
her most sacred self. this girls nature
had been stripped to its purely savage
elements. As Glenister had predicted
Helen at last had felt and yielded to
irresistibly powerful impulse.
CHANGING backward at the creature
sprawIed by the door. Helen went to
her brother. put her arms about bis
neck, and kissed him.
Hes dead3" tie Kid asked her.
She nodded and tried to speak, but
began to shiver and sob instead.
Unlock the door," he begged her.
tI'm hurt, and must get in
When the Kid had hobbled into the
room she pressed him to her and strok-
ed his matted head regardless Of his
muddy. soaking garments
II must look at him. He may not be
badly hurt" said the Kid
Don't touch him." she followed.
nevertheless, and stood near by while
her brother examined bis victim.
Struve was breathing aKd. discover
Ing this. the others lifted him with diff.
fculty to the couch.
Something cracked In here-ribs, /
guess, the Kid remarked, gasping and
feeling his own side. He was weak
and pale. and the girl led him into the
bunkroom where he could lie down.
Only his wonderful determination had
sustained him thus far. and now the
knowledge of his .heiplessness served
to prevent Helen's collapse.
The Kid would not hear of her CO.
ing for help till the storm abated or
were too treacherous and that no time
could be saved by doing so. Thus they
waited for the dawn. At last they
heard the wounded man family call
ing. He spoke to Helen hoarsely.
There was no malice, only fear, in his
tones:
Il said this was my madness-and
got what deserved, but I'm going to
die. o God-I'm going to die, and I'm
afraid" He moaned till the Bronco
Kid hobbled in, glazing with unquench-
ed hatred.
srxyoe ,,o,,,ra sy/,,,,f, to~f7io opd dfd
it. Be game, can't you? sha'n't let
her go for help until daylight.
Helen forced her brother back to his
couch, and returned to help the wound
ed man, who grew incoherent and be-
gan to babble
A little later, when the Kid seemed
stronger and his head clearer, Helen
ventured to tell him of their uncle's
villainy and of the proof she held. with
her hope of restoring justice. She told
him of the attack planned that very
night and of the danger which threat
ened the miners He questioned her
closely and. realizing the bearing of
her story, crept to the door, casting
the wind like hound.
wen have TO risk II, SAID ne.
1.-THE wind is almost. gone and it's not
long till daylight"
| She pleaded to go alone, but he was
firm. "I'll never leave you again, and,
moreover. / know the lower trail
quite well. Well go down the gulch
| to the valley and reach town that
way It's farther. but it's not so
dangerous.
"You can't ride" she insisted.
81 can If you'll tie me into the sad
die. Come, get the horses"
1t was still pitchy dark and the rain
was pouring, but the wind only sighed
weakly, as though tired by its VIC
lence. when she helped the Bronco into
his saddle. The effort wrenched a
groan from him, but he insisted upon
her tying his feet beneath the horses
belly, saying that the trail was rough
- Is Foil