Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-09-09


the storm comes straight from the
north. Our way is due south: we've
only to keep IT at our backs"
"All right" said the boy cheerily.
He turned and stared out of the win
dow You've no idea how terrible it
is, though"
81 don't care"
Get ready, then"
I'm ready" she replied. "See!"
She lifted the skirt of her dress and
showed him a pair OF horseman's
boots with a pair Of her husband 5
trousers tucked tightly in them. Its
a good thing he has small foot" she
sneered
Curse HIM" said the boy. I'D
like to settle with him before we GO"
You'll settle with him enough"
said the woman cynically, when you
take me away from him"
She turned and took down from
one of the pegs heavy fur overcoat.
The boy assisted her to put it on.
From a holster hanging on the wall
she drew a small silver-mounted 80
calibered revolver.
I'm ready" she said again.
Let US start, then" cried the boy,
stepping forward.
On the instant a whirl of wind dis
closed to them that the door had sud
denly opened. They turned to face
drunken. Infatuated, leering figure.
He had on a short, thick fur Jacket
which left his hips completely I'M
gled in his holster. He dragged it
out as he spoke and trained it on the
boy.
You're going for a longer journey
than you planned" he painted thickly,
as he strove to steady the weapon and
cover the other.
The boy was fumbling at the rasten-
ings of his coat His own revolver
was not get-at-able instantly, as 1t
should have been and would have
been had he been a native to the
west.
tumble at 'em, you fool!" cried
the man. Before you get 'em open,
I'll shoot you dead. ! don't do it now,
cause | want you to taste death and
hell as long as possible before you
go into EN- You thought you'd make
a fool out of me, did you, and you.
too, you"
He flung a frightful, mordant word
at his wife which stung not less be-
cause 1t was in large measure unde-
served, at least so far as the boy was
concerned.
'I'll settle with you when I get
through with him. Your times up!'
he continued, as the boy at last sue
ceeded in reaching his weapon.
He was game, that boy, although his
face under its blood was whittier than
1t had been when he entered the
cabin, while the other MANS similarly
snow wounded, was red with rage;
and, though he was covered and even
drunken man could scarcely miss at
such range, he nevertheless drew his
own weapon. But before he could
raise 1t there was sudden movement
back of him. The man in the door
way turned sharply.
What" he cried to his wife you
would. YOU"
At that instant the boy was con-
scious of a sudden flash of light and a
sharp detonation. The room was
filed with noise, a little cloud OF
smoke blew down on him. Standing with
his own pistol butt clasped tight in his
~,
reel. The arm that held his weapon
dropped to his side With a conyul-
sive movement he pulled the trigger
The bullet buried itself in the floor,
while the man sank down on his
knees, swayed a moment, a frightful
look in his eyes, and then pitched for
ward on his face and lay still.
Good God!" whispered the boy
turning to his companion, you've shot
him!"
He stared at the woman, who still
clasped the littls sfIver-mounted
weapon she had used with such ter
rible effect
1T was his life, or your life or
NINE was the answer. q did it for
you, she said quickly, seeing a look
of horror and repulsion spreading over
the face of her companion
"Yes-yes! l know" he replied;
but"
Come, we must get out of here
Immediately"
"Of course, of course" whispered
the boy neryously. I've can't stay here
now"
Drag him into the room and shut
| the door,"
The lad hesitated.
Are you afraid?" sneered the
woman, making as if to do so herself.
Certainly not" was the answer;
but the boy nevertheless was afraid
afraid Of death, with more fear than
he had ever felt for any one living.
Yet something had to be done and at
| once.
Forcing himself to the task at last,
! he stopped down, seized the man by
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