The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-05-28
By LOUIS TRACY

matter what the cost lf she fell into
the clutches Of the ghouls then over
running the Kansas she might not be
killed, but only wounded. and her suf.
ferings would be inconcelvable ere the
end came.
You are wrong" he shouted, with
convincing yehemence. but II you
wish 10 see for yourself at least allow
me 10 20 first"
While he was speaking he ran for.
ward She thought he meant what he
said and waited for him. Then he
caught her right arm firmly In his left
hand.
Let us wait here a moment or two"
he breathed
"No. mol l am going now. You shah
not hold me back. You don't under
stand The man love is up there.
perhaps surrounded by savages. Let
me go, tell you! II he is dying shall
die by his side! Let me gol Would
you have me strike your She turn
ed on him like an angry goddess and
stroye TO wrest herself from his grip.
At that instant Tollemache and Fras-
cuelo, the only survivors Of the deadly
struggle forward, were driven back by
rush OF Indians. They caught sight
Of others leaping down the bridge COM
panion.
ITO the salon, Courtenay'' roared
Tollemache, clearing path for him
self with an iron bar which he swung
In both hands. Followed by Frascuelo,
he jumped inside the salon gangway.
-Four sayages followed, two entering
through the doorway behind him. One
raised hatchet-like implement and
would have Drained the Englishman
had not Christobal whipped out his re-
volver and shot him through the body.
releasing the girls wrist In his furry.
The Indian pitched headlong down the
stairs, falling Imply at Elsie's feet
She stopped over the terrifying figure
and seized the mans weapon. Her
eyes shone with strange light She
felt her arms tlnge. A wonderful
power seemed TO flow through her
body, like gush of strong wine. She
was assured that she, unaided, could
beat down all the puny, desplcable
creatures who barred the path to her
lover
She vaulted over the writhing form
Of the Alaculof and made to climb the
stairs, but Christobal, admirably cool,
fred again and brought another Indian
to his knees. The second Indians fall |
caused Frascuelo to trip, and the Chill |
can. locked rib to rib with somewhat
sturdy opponent. rolled into the salon. |
Elsie drew back just In time or the
two men would have knocked her
down. Even as they were turning |
over on the steep steps she saw Fras-
cuelo's knife fash. At the foot OF the
stairs the Indian lay still, and Fras-
cuelo tried to rise. She helped him
gladly. The awfulness of this killing
no longer appalled, her. Each dead or
disabled Indian was one less obstacle
between her and Courtenay. A third
time the revolver barked, but Christie
bal missed 1t did not matter greatly,
as Tollemache had shortened his bar
using It twice as a miner delves at
rock. But the doctor did not forget
that he had only three cartridges left,
two of which were bespoken long be-
fore the fight began.
At last, then, the way was clear. Ell
sic would have mounted the stairs, but
an appealing hand detained her
II cannot walk, senorlta. My leg has
given way. And we can do no good
there. They are all down.
A death chill gripped her heart at
Frascuelo's words.
"All down" she repeated, white lip
ped.
II think So" said he blankly. The
man was dazed by the ordeal through
which he had passed.
As II 10 answer and refute him,
Joey's hysterical yelp sounded from a
point close at hand, and they distinctly
heard Courtenay's loud command
This way, Boyle! Rally to the
bridger'
"You are Mistaken shrleked Elsie,
wrenching herself free from the Chill