The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1910-12-14

grievance and promises to investigate and
punish the guilty. Plum again receives
warning that his life is in danger.
CHAPTER IV-contInued,
They had passed in a semicircle be-
yond the temple and now approached
squat building constructed Of logs,
which Obadiah had pointed out as the
jail. A glance satisfied Nathaniel that
II was SO situated that an admirable
view of the proceedings could be OBJ
tained from the rear of the structure
In which Strang had his Office Sew
eral score Of people had already as
sembled about the prison and stood
chatting with that tense interest and
anticipation with which the mob al
ways awaits public infiiction of the
laws penalties. A third of them were
women.
Pretty sight, Ell. Naty" he
chuckled. "Ah, the king has a won
derful eye for beauty, Nat-wonder-
full eye! He orders that no skirt shall
fall below the female knee. Ho. no.
II he dared. II he quite dared, Matt"
He nudged Nathaniel again with
such enthusiasm that the latter
jumped as though a knife had been
thrust between his ribs.
by George. admire his taste!" he
laughed. The women caught him
staring at them. and one, who was
the youngest and prettiest Of the lot,
smiled invitingly.
"Tush-the Jezebel!" snapped Oba-
diah, catching the look That's her
child playing Just beyond"
The young woman tossed her head
and her white teeth CLEANED in a
laugh. as though she had overheard
the old councillors words.
See her twist her hair" he snarled
venomously as the young woman. still
boldly cycling Nathaniel. played with
the luxuriant curis that glistened In
the sun upon her breast Ezra VIII
ton is SO fond OF her that he will take
no other wife. Ugh, Strang is a fool!"
Nathaniel turned away from the
smiling eyes with shrug.
"Why7"
ITO tell our women that II helps to
save their souls to wear short skirts
and let their hair hang down. For
every soul Of a woman that 1t saves It
sends two men on the road to hell!"
So intense was the old mans dis
pleasure and SO ludicrous the twisting
contortions Of his face that Nathaniel
could hardly restrain himself from
bursting into roar Of laughter. oba-
diah perceived his inclination and
with an angry bob of his head led the
way through to the inner edge Of the
waiting circle OF men. Within this
circle. in a small open space, was a
short post with straps attached to an
arm nailed across It, and leaning upon
this post In an attitude OF one who
possesses a most distinguished office
was a young man with three-thonged
whip in his hand. An ominous ST.
lence pervaded the circle.
THAT is MacDougall with the lash
official whipper and caretaker Of the
slave hounds" explained Obadiah in q
whisper.
Nathaniel gave a start OF horror.
slave hounds!" he breathed.
The councillor grinned and twisted
his hands in enjoyment of his COM
panion's surprise.
1--WE have the finest pack Of blood
hounds north of Louisiana" he con-
tinued. so low that only Nathaniel
worn smooth and hard about that
post?"
Nathaniel looked and his blood
grew hot
81 have seen such things in the
SOUTH" he said. But MOTOR white
men!"
The councillor caught him by the
arm.
They are coming!"
In the direction OF the jail the
crowd was separating. Men crushed
back on each side. forming a narrow
aisle, even the whispering Of the
women ceased. A moment later three
men appeared In the opening between
the spectators. One Of these. who
walked between the other two. was
stripped to the waist. About each
of his naked wrists was tied leather
thong and these thongs were held BY
the mans guards. The prisoners
face was livid; his hands were red
with blood that dripped from his lac
Grated wrists; his eyes glared malig-
nantly and his heaving chest showed
that he had not been brought from the
log prison without a struggle.
"Ah, It's Wittle flrst!" breathed the
councillor. Its he who said his wife
should not wear short skirts"
At the edge of the circle the prison
er hesitated and the muscles in his
arms and chest grew rigid. Those of
the crowd nearest to him drew back.
Then a sudden change swept over the
mans features and he walked quick
" to the stake and kneeled before 1t.
l. tad
to the straps Of the cross-piece and
the whipper took his position. As the
first lash fell. cry burst from the
lips of the victim When the whip