The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-07-02

4 suddenly, without word OF
warning, Ben Johnson collapsed In
a heap on the floor OF the trap. and
Gilbert sprang to his feet and seized
the reins. you brute!" he said, as
he strove to get the leaders in hand.
"You can take your check and walk
for this" But loud snore was his
only answer.
Don't drag them back like that,
Gilbert. See you are pulling the
leaders separate ways" cried Rose,
rising to her feet; "and you haven't
got the other two reins at all" Gill
bert grew crimson with rage. The
horses seemed to him to be all trying
to back up into the trap at once, and
to add to the confusion, Maude be-
gan to scream.
With an exclamation of fear Miss
Western tried to Chamber over the
seat to reach the tangled reins. Be
ing n bush girl, she saw the extent
of the danger, and she realized at
once that Gilbert was helpless. "Can
I be of any use?" The calm, full
voice rang above the confused
sounds of swapping harness and Gil
berts excited shouts, and to Rose
Western the very notes of 1t brought
relief
There was a man on the road; he
had materialized from empty space,
or from the pine poles round about.
She did not stop to argue from
whence he came; that he under
stood horses she knew at once when
he went to the scared leaders heads,
and quieted them gently. In few
seconds the confusion ceased. and
giving Gilbert the reins to hold, she
sprang to the ground to help the
stranger repair a broken swingle-
bar.
"My good fellow" said Gilbert,
noting the mans rough bush turn
out of moleskin and leggings, IL will
make Il worth your while II you will
drive us to Rippleford; my man is
useless. as you see."
Eyes, ! was just about to offer.
I'm camped by Scrubby Creek, half a
mile back, but my mate will look
after things. You don't drive your
self ?"
What does IL matter to you
whether / drive or not? I don't
choose to. You will be well paid to
do It, my man." he added more gen
tally, as he noticed the strangers
eyes flash at the first part of his SEN
tence. Eyes, l shall be well paid"
said the man reflectively; well, all
aboard; your leaders have had too
much corn to be patient while we
argue" He turned to help Rose into
the trap, and then he got in him
self Thought I'd catch my horse
and go to see the fun with the police
and Fernie," he volunteered. as he
cracked the whip and whistled to the
team. Heard the little miss scream,
and so followed your tracks, and
here / am"
II hope they won't find him." said
Miss Western. II saw Fernie once
when | was little girl; he was the
handsomest boy one could see. He
was living with his adopted people
at Nerenby then, before they quar-
relied and he ran away"
Gilbert turned away so that Rose
should not see his face for the pas
sion of jealousy had transformed it
terribly. That was the key to Lloyd's
character, the voice which swamped
all his finer feelings, and which mas
tered him completely. A year ago
Rose had spoken to him of Fernie,
and had used the same words, add
ing, 81 would love to meet him again.
His life has been so romantic, II one
can believe all one hears; and he is
so very handsome-an ideal man"
Gilbert had not forgotten or for
given her words.
Look" whispered Maude: at
seems to me that our new driver is
quite too lovely for anything. Watch
when the wind lifts up his awful old
hat brim. Now he Is handsome.
Quite puts your ideal Fernie into the
shade, Rose" Roses ideal Fernie is
cowardly murderer" said Gilbert
coldly. Perhaps because | am
mere man fail to see the beauty of
that character"
WAS that ever proved, Gilbert?"
SHlu ROSe' OHe CdHHOl TeCOUClle lJ
at all with what one has always
heard of Fernie Ericsson. admit he
leads a terrible life, but / do not
think he would shoot an unarmed
man.
well, we shall see. Your ideal
will swing In a Sydney jail before
the year is out; the chain of evidence
is too strong for him, and the crown
is doing a good work in ridding the
district of a scoundrel."
Rose turned pale. How awful"
she said. Suppose he did not do
it?"
Gilbert laughed. Gle will hang
for It, anyway" he said. 81. for one,
am fully convinced of his guilt"
1--WE not too much time" said
the driver, suddenly turning the
horses into the scrub there's
good short cut to Rippleford this
way"
There certainly was a sort Of
path, but so overgrown that the girls
had to bend this way and that to
escape the sandalwood boughs; and
Rose was about to demonstrate when
the horses were brought to a stand
still. and the driver turned on his
seat so that he faced them. Now.