West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-01-23

as II to ward Off blow. Framed I'm
the window was the pallid visage OF n
man. The mir rocked. the lamp flnred.
and Strive whlrled completely around,
raining back against the wall. His
eyes filled with horror and shifted
down where his hand had clutched nj
his breast, plucking at one spot as ifJ
tearing barb from his bosom He
jerked his head toward the door mr. his
elbow In quest OF retreat. n shuddcr
ran over him. his knees buckled and
lie plunged forward upon lis face. his
arm still doubled under him.
1t had happened like fash or ligh.
ana although Helen felt. rather than
heard. the shot and saw her assailan.
fall, she did not realize the meaning "
1t till n drift OF powder smoke assailel
Der 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 IL
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 I'm her f,ce
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. he had
never seen woman bear the mnrl:s
TIL now. No artifce nor falsity was
there. nothing but the crudest. inten.
sest feeling, which many people live
and die without knowing. There nrc
few who come to know the great
primitive. passionate longings. But I'm
this black night. fighting In defense Of
her most sacred self, this girls nature
had been stripped to it's purely savage
elements. AS Glenister had IRE l!ctcd
Helen at last had felt and yielded tp
hresistibly powerful impulse.
CHANGING backward at the creature
sprawled by the door. Helen went t.
her brother. put her arms about his
neck. and kissed him.
Hes deadT" tie Kid asked hcr.
She nodded and tried TO sneak. but
began to shiver and sob instead.
Unlock the door" he begged her
I'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 his victim
strive was breathing, and, discover
ing this, the others lifted him with diff
hculty TO the couch.
Something cracked I'm here-ribs. I
guess" the Kid remarked. gnsping md
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. ana now the
knowledge Of his helplessness served
70 prevent Helcn's collapse.
The Kid would not hear OF her 20
Ing for help till the storm abated or
daylight came, insisting that the trails
were too treacherous and that no time
could be saved by doing so. Thus they.
waited for the dawn. At last tbev
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 10
die. . Goblin going 10 die, and I'm
afraid" He mOaned til the Bronco
KID hobbled In, glorlng with unquench.
ed hatred.
Yes. you're going 90 die. and ala
u. BE game, can't your / sha'n't let
her 70 for help until daylight"
Helen forced her brother back 10 his
couch, and returned TO help the wound
cd 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
yillainy and or tho 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 10 the door. casting
tho wind like a hound.
Wen have % risk g." said he
The wind r. almost gone and IT'S not
long tlll daylight"
She pleaded to go alone. but he was
hrm. III never leave you again, and.
moreover, I know the lower trail
quite well. Wen go down the guich
TO the valley and reach town that
way. It's farther, but It's not so
dangerous"
You cant ridoV sha fusfetod