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


hands steady by handing over those
notes you got at the bank this morn
ing. Be quick, or I'll shoot. If I'm
to swing for certain, It's going to be
on true charge, anyway"
Gilbert turned white, but his es.
pecial fear was not firearms Just
then. Perhaps he knew he would
not be shot before the girls. Roses
cheeks colored family as she heard
his defiant answer:
Shoot, then, and take the notes;
I'm not going to give them to you"
Gilbert, dear! Give him the mon
ey," she cried; ''it Is nothing beside
our lives. You coward" she added
turning toward the handsome.
threatening face 80 you do shoot
unarmed men, after all
Fernie's face flushed hotly. every
man shoots vermin at sight" he re-
torted. THAT man has given his
time and money TO bounding me
down. | admit he began the chase in
good faith, but | know, and you will
know. too, some day, that week
ago he received the clew to the real
murderer; he alone knows of IL be-
side myself, but he suppressed It.
and can prove It. Shall / prove II,
Gilbert Lloyd, and break good
woman's belief in your"
Gilbert did not answer, but Fernie
saw the look of agony In his eyes.
do you expect me to believe that?"
said Rose scornfully. There would
have to be proof indeed before the
world would take the word of an
outlaw"
well, you may be right, Miss
Western. shall be glad to let him
off with alighter punishment for your
sake, and the good words you spoke
for Fernie Ericsson this morning
Here" the shouted to the nigger) :,
bring the rope and tie this gentle
man to that sandalwood, and be
quick about it,
The black was Hercules in
strength. and, in spite of Maude's
cries and Roses bitter words, Gill
bert was dragged from the wagonette
and securely tied to the sandalwood.
Rose had tried to shout for help, but
Fernie threatened to shoot her lover
If she did so,and, moreover, held
her arm securely while he gave di-
rections to the grinning black fellow
to cut n couple of knotty myall
boughs into cruel looking switches.
For Gods sake. man, don't"
cried Gilbert Rose, Rose, stop
him; | could not stand it. My God!
| shall die" he shrieked, overcome
with the terror of his position.
mo, rest assured you won't die;
but I'm going to bring YOU pretty
near II. The man who would send an
innocent fellow creature TO certain
death for a spite alone isn't worth
killing. Get TO work. he finished,
turning TO the black, who drew the
stick through the air, and brought it
on GIlbert's shoulders with sting
Ing swish Rose turned sick and
faint, and Fernie felt her sway.
stop" he shouted. and the Niger
let the stick fall, Look here, Miss
Western, I'll let your fine lover off
on one condition viii you both
agree?"
Rose pulled herself together,
eagerly scanning the dark face above
her. What is it?" she said HE
shall give all the money he has; YOU
can have my rings, my watch
everything"
"No--I want something from you
more precious. | want you to kiss
me--only once"
Tell him, Gilbert" cried the girl,
that you will stand those blows
rather than let this happen | know
that he will keep his word, and !
would really rather die than give
him what he asks. Don't let him
kiss me, Gilbert don't."l .
Really, Rose" said Lloyd, fret
fully, you have very little feeling
and very little love for me if--if-let
us end this wretched affair, IL pos
sible-the ropes are cutting my
shoulders In pieces-you are very
heartless-Rose."
The girl looked round wildly.
"Maude," can't you wake Johnson?
Is he dead, or what, that he does not
help us?"
johnson was drugged pretty sue
cessfully, and won't wake up for
some hours yet"
Don't be fool, Rose" Gilbert
said. ''Do you think | want the brute
to touch you? 1t would hurt me
more than 1t hurt you?"
"Oh, very Well said Rose. with
hardness in her voice. determina-
tion in her violet eyes. She raised
her face TO the eager. sun-browned
one, and did not resist when Fernie
drew her gently toward him, so
closely that her fiaxen hair touched
his rough blue linen shirt, but when
he stooped to kiss her. cheek she
gave her lips instead, and flushed
rose-red at his warm embrace.