The Washington times., 1909-02-16
AN UTTER FAILURE


stiu hopelessly-
we'll what shall we do now?' asked
Gordon.
II don't know. / guess our only hope
Is 10 go TO Jail and force an inter
view with that tramp you found. Have
you any money with you?'
You mean TO buy him?"
Eyes. How much have you?"
About SIS
THAT will be enough decided Bess
- Zone. let's walk it,
They hurried over TO the Jail, both
wondering If they could get the man in
charge to let them see the prisoner at
that hour OF the night.
Having knocked on the door OF the
keepers room they had not long 10
wait before the man appeared.
May we see the tramp that was
here To see before?" asked Bess.
"Htma No"
'1yhy?"
" Cause he amt here"
isn't here?" echoed Bess. what do
you mean?"
The judge gave me an order at noon
today 20 let him out"
What reasOu?'
'I don't know. guess the Teller
satisfied him that he wasn't a tramp
or something like that"
Where did he go?"
ITO Chicago. I had orders 10 buy
HIS ticket an see him safely ont of
town. I put him on the train at noon
TO-DAY"
There is no mistake? You're sure
ne went on that train?' persisted Bess.
"No doubt Of it," was the reply "He
wont get of neither tiII he strikes --I-
cago. I never in my life seen q man so
glad to leave q town"
Bess looked at Gordon. He was star
ing at he1
'Whst shall we do uowg" he asked
helplessly, as the Jail keeper shut the
door, and they stood gazing at each
other fin wonder.
There's only one thing left now"
was the girls decision.
'What is that2"
eve must 90 out TO the hunting shack
and find George"
"Do YOU think You can make him
confess
Hes got TO-"
"Wen. we can't lose any time. It's
10 o'clock now"
Ten O'Clock now? Good heavensr
cried Bess Jim has just twelve more
hours To live"
Gordon made no reply, but took her
gently by the arm and led her away
from the jail When they had covered
some distance. he looked down at her
and asked, in a low voice:
How shall we get Jhere2"
ut IS quicker by the river answered
the girl. But at this time Of night We
have no chance TO get boat. We will
have TO go cross-country by horse"
How long will that take2"
About I'VE hours"
''That viii get us there al In the
morning figured Gordon. eff We
should get George to confess, could we
get him TO the governor iu mis- wounded
condition by 32'
eyes. [ think so; IT'S only FIVE hours
ride from the shack 20 Dewitt. 7 think
we could make it. That gives US an
hour leeway.'
ITS our only chance" cried Gordon.
sC0me on"
They went to the livery stable and
procured two good riding horses Then
they set ch-aJ once for the Browns
hunting shack
Il was a cold night. and they rode
bard, which kept them warm.
q was a wiId trip. but Bess was a girl
OF spirit, who stopped AZ nothing. Be
sides. Gordon was SO careful Of her and
so c3nsiderare.
Only occasionally did they walk their
horses. The mere matter Of a horse
made no difference 90 either Of them
when a mans life was ar stake
II was o'clock when they came 20
turn iu the road that Be-s recognized
readily as the one 10 take through the
timber 20 the shack. she plunged
ahead reckIessIy and Gordon followed,
keeping as close 20 her as possible 20 be
ready for any emergency
on and ON they WHizzeI through the
timber Go-d0n's hat was knocked oft
by an 0veraauglng Hoagn, but H0 small
thing like that could stop them. Their
faces were scratched by branches and
their clothes torn. but neither felt such
small Things What mattered2 They
were riding 90 save jim
Suddenly Bess gave "a little shout
Gordon knew that they must ne nearing
their goal
The faint glmmer of a tiny light far
ahead came 90 him.
That's the shack. Bess called back
la ct ia-r- Haa''tta'A"IH al the same tatlIE
squirting mp her horse
The hoof beats on the forest path
sounded wild and romantic.
The wine of life surged through both
their brains, and Gordon felt as though
he were leading the life OF a character
IN q book. 10 was 90 unreal and ser so
necessary.
Ia a fav minutes they had reached
the shack, and as they were dIsmount-
ing the door was thrown open abruptly
and huge man appeared, framed i'm
the square OF light, in his hand q long
gun.
Gordon 5nstinctively lodged behind
his horse and caught Bess by the Shout
der. pulling her down TO a protected
position
It's only 7. Dan cried the girl. shak-
ing OF Gordon hand with a laugh
8nd advancing toward the door.