The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-02-07

"Pu shoD you aoh0's master here!"
az II to ward of a blow. Framed in
the window was the pallid visage Of a
man. The air rocked, the lamp fiared,
and Strive whirled completely around,
falling back against the wall. His
eyes filed with horror and shifted
down where his hand had clutched at
his breast, plucking at one 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 a flash of light,
and although Helen felt, rather than
heard, the shot and saw her assailant
fall, she did not realize the meaning of
it 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 a hateful death and
from whom all but the most elemental
passions had departed but he 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
primitive, passionate longings. But 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
sprawled by the door, Helen went to
her brother, put her arms about his
neck, and kissed him.
Hes deadY' TIE Kid asked her.
She nodded and tried to speak, but
began to SILVER 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.
" must look at him. He may not he
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
fculty to the couch.
Something cracked in here-ribs,
guess" the Kid remarked, gasping and
feeling his own side. He was weak
bunkroom where he could lie down.
Only his wonderful determination had
sustained him thus far, and now the
knowledge Of his helplessness served
to prevent Helen's collapse.
The Kid would not hear Of her go
Ing for help till the storm abated or
daylight came, insisting that the trails
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 l
got what / deserved, but I'm going to
die. o Goblin going to die, and I'm
afraid" He moaned till the Bronco
Kid hobbled in, glazing with unquench-
ed hatred.
Eyes, you're going to die, and 1 did
it. Be game, can't you? 1 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 lncoherent and be-
gan to babble.
A little later, when the Kid seemed
stronger and his head clearer, Helen
ventured to tell him Of their uncles
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.
"We1l have to risk IT," said he.
THE wind is almost gone and It's not
long till daylight"
She pleaded to 20 alone, but he was