The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-06-16
CHAPTER XVII
Continued

Then briefly he Termed Of the
escapethe liquid poison that had
nearly proved fatal by it's fumes
of the daring of those who had
saved Hallen and Troop. Selling
the reins himself, Roger drove and
guided the wagon over the turn
pike he knew so well.
Far ahead a small, dark object
a man and a horse-moved rapidly,
spreading in it's wake a cloud Of
dust. The rider was beyond aid
from those behind. Further be-
yond, out of sight somewhere,
were Jane Malley and Theodore
Stone; and between them and the
lone horseman, but invisible to
those in the wagon, was another
horseman of different type-a
defiant, unhesitating, passionate
criminal.
Hallen peered ahead. Hurry;
Cakes is understanding u.s." he
cried, and turning flercely at
| Roger, he shouted in frenzy Of
anxiety:
Hell; get me there! Get me
there! Mirandon is too powerful.
Cakes is going to death-single-
handed"
Theodore, stated with the de-
velopments of his hour of triumph,
had left Jane for a while and gone
to his own home, where his family
was anxiously waiting to welcome
him, rejoicing in the midst of its
reversals at this good visit of for
tune. But the lovers had had no
moment alone together as yet, and
| they had much to say to each other,
so presently he had gone back to
her again. And when he had gently
limited that perhaps Jane wouldn't
mind little private walk and talk
out on the highway, she, finding no
particular attraction within doors,
had vigorously seconded the idea.
The two had quietly left by the
back way unnoticed by all save
Roger. who had done his duty prop
erly and helped Jolly" the crowd
along until Jane and Theodore had
had plenty Of opportunity to start
on their walk.
Roger then went out to await
the final action that was soon to
take place. Thus it was that dur
ing those tense moments when
Mirandon faced Cakes and the
others at the hotel, away out on
the highway where the path to
Billion Sea entered it, in a little
clearing overlooking the surround
ing country, sat Jane in the shade
Of friendly pine.
BY her side standing on a
slight hiliock, leaning against the
fence, his arm half around her
waist and his face close beside
hers, was the man who loved her
and whom she loved.
But suddenly Jane Malley
jumped to her feet, landing plump
in the arms Of her lover. and then
both looked down the hill and the
fields toward the highway, where
were many moving figures like
| dots, coming pell-lnell. They
heard one or two sharp reports.
Jane and Theodore looked at the
advancing figures in the distance,
and listened TO the faint. thcreas-
ing sounds of vehicles and the tap
ping Of horses' hGofs. Then elanc-
ing at ole enuther in amazement,
Jane spoke axcitedly, "See, Theo-
dore, the one IN front on the black
horse is shooting. What can II
mean?"
! The figure. now quite distinguish
able. could he seen wheeling in his
saddle and dischargiDg a weapon al
the nearest OF his pursuers--a
horseman riding a giant bay and
living low In the saddle, evidently
| closing in or the man in front.
Its . ruuning fight, Jane; they
are going 10 pass just below u.s.
| "Yes--but look at the crowds;
look at the wagons; see the sec
onc man: SEQ his horse. Why
know it: ic belongs to Mr.. Cakes
The girl clung to her lover