The Lamar register., 1908-03-18
CHAPTER Ix.-continued.

Her hand touched the match box
at last. A light flared out.
shut the door quick. dad" she aaid.
lighting the lamp on the table. THE
skeeters'll eat us alive"
Williston stepped to the door. Just
a moment he stood there in the door
way, the light streaming out into the
night, tall, thoughtful, no weakling in
spite of many failures and many mis-
takes. A fair mark he made, outlined
against the brightly lighted room. 1t
was quiet. Not even a coyote shrilled.
And. while he stood there looking up
at the calm stars. a sudden sharp re
port rang out and the sacred peace of
God, written in the serenity of still
summer nights. was desecrated. Hiss
ing and ominous, the bullet sang past
Williston's head perilously near. and
lodged in the opposite wall. At that
moment the light was blown out. A
great presence of mind had come to
Mary in the time OF imminent Dan
ger"
Good. my dear!" cried Williston. in
low tones. Quick as a flash the door
was slammed shut and bolted just as
a second shot fell foul of it.
"Oh, my father," cried Mary. crop
ing her way to his side.
Hush. my dear. They missed me
clean. Don't lose your nerve, Mary.
They won't find it so easy after all
There had been no third shot. A
profound silence followed the second
report There was no sound of horse
than hn Oh mt C
One man. maybe, creeping up like
some foul beast of prey to strike in
the dark Was he still lurking near,
abiding another opportunity?
1t took but moment for Williston
to have the rifles cooked and ready.
Mary took her own from him with a
hand that trembled ever so slightly.
What will you do, father" she
asked, holding her rifle lovingly and
thanking God in swift, uniformed
thought for every rattlesnake or other
noxious creature whose life she had
put out while doing her mans work of
riding the range-work which had Civ
en- her not only mans courage. but
mans skill as well.
Take the back window, girl" he
answered briefly. I'll take the front.
Stand to the side. Get used to the
starlight and shoot every shadow you
see, especially If it moves. Keep track
of your shots, don't waste an effort
! and don't let anything creep up on
you They mustn't get near enough
to fire the house"
His voice was sharp and incisive.
a I,ol, hoI foil i'm
and he was his own master again.
Several heavy minutes dragged
away without movement, without
sound from without The ticking of
the clock pressed on strained ears like
CHASTITY bell-tolling. Their eyes be-
came accustomed to the darkness. and
by the dim starlight they were able to
distinguish the outlines of the cattle
sheds, still, empty, black. Nothing
moved out there.
Il think they're frightened off, said
Mary at last, breathing more freely
They were probably just one. or
they'd not have left. He knew he
missed you, or he would not lave fired
again. Do you think it was Jesse?"
Jesse would not have missed. he
said. grimly.
At that moment a new sound broke
the stiffness, the whinny of a horse
Reinforeements had approached WIN
in the shadow of the cattle-sheds
Something moved out there at last
Daddy" called Mary, in a chokeo
whisper. Come here-they are down
at the Sheds"
Williston stepped to the back win
DOW quickly.
Change Places he said briefly
Daddy"
'Yes?"
Keep up your nerve" she breatheo
between great heart-pumps.
Surely! Do you the same, htue
comrade, and shoot to kill
There was a savage note in his ias'
words. For himself 1t did not matter
SO much. but Mary-he pinned nj
false faith in any thought OF possible
ehivalrous intent on the part OF the
raiders to exempt his daughter IRON
,he grim fate that, awaited him. Ht
osd to deal with despe ate man