The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-14
The EVENING STORY
Sans stratagenn.
(By Arthur w. Peach.

patch, Strengthened suddenly as she
heard her name called softly and
anxiously.
Here I am. Sammy" she answered
clearly.
A little fellow shot from round the
corner of the shed, his eyes wide and
fearful; he swung himself on his
crutches close to where she was
standing and whispered hoarsely:
Mary they're going % shoot Jim
tonight. I heard them say so!''
With low cry she dropped the
trowel in her hand and grasped the
little cripple's shoulder. Sammy,
where are they?" she asked.
They're in the back room of the
barn., was his answer. And she was
gone.
Word had come among the noun
tain people that the government was
sending spies among them in an at
carrying on their illegal distillirg, and
Mary had known for some time that
Jake Emmons. whom she and the
cripple knew as their father. was try
friends toward the fine looking
stranger known as Jim Symons. who
had recently come among them.
Symons, in his ready, friendly way.
had made friends with her. and he
often came to the little cabin to see
her. She had warned him of his
danger, but he had careIessly told her
not to worry.
Now, as she slipped softly down the
walk to the shed, her heart beating
fast and hard, her only fear was that
she would not be able to save the
brave, fearless young fellow who had
won her heart. She heard the low
mutter of voices, and kneeling close
Emmons was speaking.
There's only one way to stop this
once for all. If we don't some OF US
are going to spend the rest of our days
in brick cell. The thing to do is for
some one to walk up to his window
about supper time and finish him.
that's-did you hear any noise then?
All right-finist him and have it over
WITH
Another voice went on: ITS the
only way. Let's draw for the man."
Mary, quiverfng with the tension,
listened. IT'S you, Emmons," the
voice said.
She started to leave, when suddenly,
with swift bang, the door was flung
open; she had dizzy sensation of be-
ing seized and shaken hard. Then
things steadied, and she found herself
looking into Emmon's cruel eyes.
80, you would, would you?" he
snarled, his eyes burning into her.
You would put that spy wise to what
we're going to do to him? Well see
whether you will or mott"
HIS SIrOnS nanQS seemed 10 crush
her flesh where he held her. You
come with me!' he snapped at her.
He went into the house, and OPEN
ing door into her own room. he
threw her in, and slid the heavy bolt.
He turned to the little cripple who
doorway. Now you leave that door
alone or I'll" He stoapped, but the
threat in his eyes made the little fell
low quail.
Mary heard it where she had fallen
In her room. Through her brain, |
crazed with the thought of her lover
In danger, sounded the last words she |
had heard. They were planning 10
shoot him in the night, and she was |
Night came swiftly and silently. |
She stood near the small window and |
looked out. There was nothing to do |
save mark the hours as they passed |
until Emmons should return with his !
work accomplished. Sammy, with his |
1eep dread of Emmons, would not |
1are to help her. nor, knowing the
price he must pay, would she ask him.
Suddenly, when the dusk was heavy
pm the hills the sound of Emmons'
footsteps grew heavy and passed out |
On his murderous errand. Still as a
statue she listened. She caught the |
loft low shuttle of the little crippIe's |
,rutches. There was a rafting at the |
loor. She waited in nervous fear;
She was free!
She swung back to the door and
gathered him in her arms. He grip
bed her tightly. my brave little Sam
N.Y." she whispered.
He answered braveIy, yet trembling |
He said he'd kill me. but dast!"
In a few minutes her preparations
we're made. She turned at the door,
md a sob gathered in her throat as
he saw the white little figure watch
ng her with silent appeal. Mary,
axe me- was all it said
''How can 1? will come back" she
hurriedIy. II am going to
warm Jim
Down the broken path she fled. {
through the pasture, and turned up
he narrow trail, hoping agains: hope b
hat Emmons would take the long
Dad to Symons' cabin, and that she
ost the path. and feverishly, she }
united until she found it. AT last she
cached the slope above the creek,
7here. among the low brush Symons
1g, it looked peaceful, but well she ;
new that somewhere between her }
nd the light Emmons was creeping Z
18th his rifle ready.
Her feet found the path. She q
ressed on as carefully as she could,
etermined to reach him in time to {
ave him; but as she commenced the
limb. she wavered; the strain was Z
1IllnS- SuuuSuly, SIe saw the lace
a man show for moment in the h
elbow light as he peered steadily into
ne window of the cabin. The face
Then a long, shining Q
hing was leveled. All her will power
ne forced into her cry of warning. z
ut it blended into the sound of the
file as it gushed livid fire through :.
lie night into the window. n
There was a crash Of wood the
,und of speeding feet, a sharp cry, t
Mary staggered TO the 0
Dor. excepting to see her lover
rithing in the death agony; but as
lie neared it, the door was thrown