The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-16
8O@CeSU@C@SUeH74 C7T1&sDeSV&C1& Oe9[1(
! The Honor of i
i Nurse Joyce i


doors were strong, and there were
stout shutters to the lower windows
The place could be defended with
some success if the defenders were
sufficiently numerous, but, as Aksakoff
knew that Anatovitch could not mus
ter more than nine or ten men, he
thought it would be impossible for
him to resist the attack for long. The
plan of the rcvolutionists was to make
a sharp assault on the front of the
house, so as to concentrate the atten.
ton of the defense on that quarter
while another band took the house in
the rear.
1t is by one of the doors in the
back" said Aksakoff, that we expect
u enter the house. If the original plan
had been carried out, one of these
doors would have been opened to us
by that very woman who waits on
Miss Joyce, but we shall have to fight
for an entrance now. We will go there;
it is your best chance, my friend. Cir.
cumstances must determine the re-
suit
They had now advanced to that belt
of trees which surrounded the house,
and the crowd split into two parties
one. the larger, remaining in front,
while the other, the smaller, went
round to the rear, and with this band
marched Norman and Aksakoff, close
beside each other.
Presently Norman and Aksakoff
were in the garden, their bodies be-
ing partly screened by terrace of
vines. The light was now fine and
clear, SO that the house stood out dis.
tiEct, with every window showing.
Without moments warning several
shots rang out from the building. A
man little way from Norman sudden
ly stopped, dropped to his knees with
a moan and then fell full length, dead,
uron the ground. Another, farther
off, who had been wounded, shrieked
and gave vent to strange, inarticulate
cries like those of some hurt animal.
Il knew that Anarovitch would be
ready" said Aksakoff, bitterly. "This
is the penalty we are paying for some
ones stupidity this morning"
The effect of the shots was instant
ly seen, for everyone on that side got
out of sight amongst the vines and
trees with all possible expedition.
Meanwhile sharp fusillade, to an
accompaniment Of fierce shouts and
indescribable noises, was heard going
on in front of the house. For two or
three long minutes there was silence
in the rear, and then Norman, peering
out from behind the trunk of a tree.
saw half-a-dozen men suddenly rise
from the ground, along which they
had crawled up to within a few feet
OF a door, and with yell throw them
selves with all their strength against
the woodwork. Again and again they
hurled themselves on the door, not.
withstanding that someone kept shoot.
Ing at them from above, wounding
two of them. And then a man rushed
forward with a large, heavy piece of
wood in his arms, and attempted to
Batter in the dool, but the marksman
from above dropped him. Norman saw
hlrl tumble on his face and roll over.
A bullet whizzed past his own face.
and his body broke into cold sweat.
he locked up at the window from
which the firing was coming with such
deadly effect, but could perceive no
one-the markham was well hidden
HIS glance travelled to the window
above 1t, and there he saw a white
startled face gazing out into the gar.
den. 1t was the face of Christabel
Her eyes appeared to be fixed on him
Losing all caution he plunged for.
ward wildly through the vines and
the trees, and it was only his heinz
tripped up by root that saved him
from ball that sped past the place
where moment before he had stood
Inc violence Of the fall half stunned
MIN; his hands and face were covered
with blood and dirt; for an instant
ne lay still, not understanding at once
what had happened to him, then rose
and ran forward again.
Better wait until the door is broken
IN painted Aksakoff, who had come
up with him. 1T is foolish to expose
yourself. This is not your quarrel"
Not my quarrel?" said Norman.
Wiping the hood from his eyes: ave.
but 1t is! saw her face at a window ,,
ne added. hoarsely.
There goes the door" said Aksa.
koff, as the wrenching and splitting
of wood announced that the attackers
were succeeding in their efforts.
Holding his breath Norman raced
for the door, and entered the house
with Aksakon and several other Of the
revolutionists.
Shouts and cries of terror were
heard above their heads, warning
those defending the front of the house
that all was lost. AS the reyolutionists
pressed on and up the stairs, two men
armed with huge axes, appeared at
the top of the first fight to bar their
farther progress, but a couple Of re-.
volver-shots quickly disposed of them
The attackers now swarmed I'M from
below, until the lower part Of all that
pcr tion of the house seemed full ~
| them. Norman was horne 80,