Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-24

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WELL it comfort to have my trigger finger snugge
down it in the that trigger fingers have
conscious way of dong when is familiar with fire.
arms.
Then, without so much as touching hairpin, | sat
down by the window to keep my vigil l felt that I
had need of all faculties all my courage, all my cool
in time of emergency and it has always been my
belief that the mad that SEXES humanity IN mid
night danger is caused in part by the subconscous
knowledge of the informality of their attire.
HOW long 1 sat there, l cannot say; but suddenly
- every that had been momentarily luled to
quiet Jumped to attention For, without warning Of
any sort to my dulled hearing there spit of fire
from the window below me, quickly followed by the
sound that meant gunshot. For moment sat liter
ally frozen with terror straning eyes into the dense
backness of the staress night. Presently the window
sill which my hand rested began to vibrate in
spouse to what knew must be heavy blows upon the
door below; then final crash, another shot, and
then silence so far as could tell.
Yet knew it was merely the lull before the storm
that would break upon my boted door, Silently rose
my feet; for meant to meet whateverit was bravely.
AS had expected the sound presently came of heavy
blows upon my door. | moved silently near it, intend
ing when it burst in to try to slip out in the
fusion, and possibly have show of escape. Of
course it was perfectly idotc thing to do; but any,
thing better than to be 70 ind oWerng and Shrek
ing under the bed clothes l could hear nothing. No
could have reached though the speaker
shouted in my very
Suddenly the door gave way, and in the semdarkness
l several figures cataput into the ROOM Then,
with nv head lowered, | dashed through the door
straight into the stomach of an unseen figure which
caught in cruel grip, his fingers seeming fairly
meet in my flesh threw up my hand as his other fist
and roar as my trigger finger involuntary frightened
and set off my little Colt. l felt my captor stagger,
and then light flashed up-and found myself sur
rounded by half dozen men in the red tuncs of the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police!
Good God! woman!' exclaimed the who
held me, and then he wiped the blood from little
scratch on his cheek, he said, Drop that gun!
But, though his grasp loosened, was anything but
gently hauled down the stairs and placed in the
only of the chairs that had escaped destruction in
what now saw had been fierce scrimmage
What do you mean by this kind of treatment" 1
said when at length regained my breath and my dazed
whose red tunic bore the insignia of Sergeant.
Its for to ask, and for you to answer-and you
want to be careful what you say too for everything
will be used against you. Why didn't you open the
door when commanded you to do so in the name of
the King?"
Il didn't hear you
Didn't hear That's Ikely-not.'
But am deaf insisted Il cannot hear any
thing
Cant hear! What have you been doing but hearing
II have not heard sound of it ALL have been read
Don't take for bawsted muttonhead of an
Engsher! the Sergeant broke out in irritation. i've
got more than to believe that rot.
But it's true!' and to my disgust began to feel
myself getting hyserical. IL can't hear! can't hear!
haven't heard any sound but pistol shot in twenty
years.! fairly shrieked Just then saw stir in
corner behind in red tunics and Wells, hand
cuffed. broke through, and saw lin say:
What she's saying is true, sir. She can't hear, she
really can't.
Shut up" said the Sergeant. I'm not asking you
questions. Don't open your mouth again until get
ready for you'll and poor Wells, protesting, hustled
back out of my sight.
Now, you know perfectly where that bunch of horses
came from. Out with the truth! It'll go better
with you in the end said the officer turning again
to
Indeed, and don't know anything about them at
all. | never them until heard them come into the