The Red Cloud chief., 1908-01-17

her. or q sudden she had assumed
control Of the situation unfG''c"ingly.
and both men felt the imposslbility of
thwarting her. Pauslng at the top.
she turned and looked down.
I'VE are grateful for your efforts
just the same. Good night"
'Ch, I'm not going" said the young
NJ. '1f ycu stick. I'll do the same"
He made the rounds Of the first floor
rooms, locking { .ors and windows. W
n place ~ N'
NV - pu,d have to make his
stand upstairs. When sufficient time
had elapsed, he called up to Helen:
MAY conner"
YES she replied. SO he assembled.
to find Stillman in the hall. half
clothed md covering, while by the
light from the front chamber he saw
her finishing her toilet.
won't you come with me? It's our
last chance" She only shook her
head. We'll, then, put out the light.
I'll stand at that front window. and
when my eyes get used TO the darkness
I'll he able to see them before they
reach the gate"
She did as directed, taking her place
beside him at the opening, while the
judge crept i'm and sat upon the bel.
his heavy breathing the only sound in
the room. The two young people stood
so close to each other that the sweet
ascent of her person awoke in him an
almost Irresistible longing. He forgot
her treachery again. forgot that she
was ~anOther's, forgot all save that he
loved her truly and purely. with Il love
which vas like an agony to him. Her
shoulder brushed his arm; he heard the
soft rustling Of her garment at her
breast as she breathed. Some one
passed in the street and she laid a
hand upon him fcarfully. 1t was very
cold, very tiny and very soft, but he
made no move to take it. The mo-
ments dragged along. still, tense. inter
minable. Occasionally she leaned to-
ward him, and he stopped to catch her
whispered words. At such times her
breath beat warm against his cheek,
and he closed his teeth stubbornly.
Out in the night a wolf dog saddened
the air, then came the sound of others
wrangling and snarllng In a nearby
corral. This Is a chickless land and
no cock crow breaks the midnight
peace. The suspense enhanced the
judges perturbation till his chattering
teeth sounded like castanets. Now and
then he groaned.
The watchers had lost track of time
when their strained eyes detected dark
blots materializing 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 instant's confusion: then,
before the men beneath had time to
answer or take action. he continued:
This Is Roy Glenistcr talking. | told
you not to modest these people, and I
warn you again. We're ready for
you"
The leader spoke. You're a traitor,
Glenister."
He WINGED. Perhaps l am. You
betrayed me first, though: and. traitor
or not, you can't come into this house."
There was a murmur at this. and
some II said:
Miss Chester is safe. All we want
10 fhn tnlnn Wa u,nn't have ttn~
not If he'll veal 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 a man came running down
the planked pavement and into the
group.
"McNamara's zone and SOS the mar
shall and the rest" he painted. There
was n moments silence. and then the
leader growled t. 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 to
right and left, vaultcd 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 out on him. He won
dcred If he could do this deed, II he
could really fire on these people. He
wondered If his muscles would not
wither 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