The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-02-13
TheSpOilers.
ny REX E. BEACH
Copyright 1905, by Rex n Beach


The watchers had lost track OF time
when their strained eyes detected dark
blots Undertaking. out of the shadows.
There they come" whispered Glen
lister, forcing her back from the aper-
ture: but she would not be denied, and
returned to his side.
As the foremost figure reached the
gate Roy leaned forth and spoke, not
loudly. but in tones that sliced through
the silence, sharp, clean and without
warning.
Halt! Don't come inside the fence
There was an lnstant's confusion; then,
before the men beneath had time to
answer or take action. he continued:
This is Roy Glenister talking. told
you not 10 modest these people. and |
warn you again. We're ready FOR
you
The leader spoke. you're a traitor.
Glenister"
He WINGED. Perhaps an. You
betrayed me first. thou-h; and, traitor
or not. you can't come into this house"
There was murmur at this. and
some one said:
Miss chester is safe. All we want
is the judge. We won't hang him,
not II he'll wear this suit we brought
along. He needn't be afraid. Tar Is
good for the skin"
"Oh. my God" groaned the limb Of
the law.
Suddenly n man came running down
the panked pavement and into the
group.
"McNamara's gone and SOS the mar
shall and the rest" he painted There
was a moments silence, and then the
leader growled to his men. scatter out
and rush the house. boys" lie raised
his voice to the man in the window.
This is your work. you damned turn
coat" His followers melted away 10
right and left. vaulted the fence and
lodged into the shelter Of the walls.
The click. click OF Glenister's Winches
ter sounded through the room, while
the sweat stood ont on him. He won
dered If he could do this deed. II he
could really fire on these people. He
wondered IL his muscles would not
wlther and paralyze before they obey
ed his command.
Helen crowded past him and, lean
ing half out of the opening, called
loudly. her voice ringing clear and
true:
watt Wait a moment! I have
something 20 say. Mr.. Glenister did
not warn them. They thought you
were going TO attack the mines. and
so they rode out there before mid
night. am telling you the truth,
really. They left hours ago" 1t was
the first sign she had made. and they
recognized her TO man.
There were uncertain mutterings be
low till a new man raised his voice
Both Roy and Helen recognized DeX-
try.
Boys. we've overp,ayed. We don't
want these people-McNamara's our
meat Old bald face up yonder has "a
do what he's told, and I'm ag'in this
twenty TO one midnight work. I'm
goin' home" There We're some wills
perings. then the original spokesman
called for Judge Stillman. The old
man tottered to the window. a palsied
terror stricken object. The girl was
glad he could not be seen from below.
I'VE won't hurt you this time, judge
but you've gone far enough. Wen
give you another chance; then, If you
don't make good. we'll stretch you to
lamp post Take this as warming
81 s-shall do my d-d-duty." said the
judge.
The men disappeared into the dark
ness. and when they had gone Clients
ter closed the window. pulled down tho
shades and lighted lamp. He knew
by how narrow margin tragedy
had been averted. II he had fired on