Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-04
TnfEsREPUBIICAN, MARsHALLTOwN IOWA,

Of the electric bulb. A EARRING blow
was heard. Hear that? They're
breaking inv' said Lie. She started
to leave the room.
Lee stopped her. where are you
going"
ITO help Ross. Here" She thrust
the handle Of smaller weapon into
Lees hand. ED Wetherfords girl
ought to be able to take care 0f her
self. Come ont"
With a most unheroic horror be-
numbing her limbs. Lee followed her
mother through the hall. The sound
Of shouts aud the trampling Of feet
could be heard. and she came out into
the restaurant just in time to photo
graph upon her brain a scene whose
Significance was Mt once apparent. On
q chair between his two prisoners and
confronting Ballard Mt the head OF a
crowd Of frenzied villains stood the
ranger, a cleaning weapon In his
hand, q look Of resolution on his face.
What he had said or what he in
tended to do she did not learn. for her
mother rushed at the invaders with
the mad bravery Of a she bear. Get
out of herew she snarled. thrusting
her revolver into the very mouth OF
the leader.
They nil fell back in establishment
and fear.
Ross leaped to her side. leave
them to me" he said. "Ill clear the
room"
Not on your life! This is my house.
I have the right to smash the fools"
And she beat them over the heads with
her pistol barrel.
Recognizing that she was minded to
kill, they retreated over the threshold.
ard Ross. drawing the door close be-
hind them. turned to find Lee Virginia
confronting Edwards, who had at
tempted to escape into the kitchen.
The girls face was white, but the eye
of her revolver stared straight and true
into her prisoners face.
With bound Ross seized him and
flung him against the wall. Get back
therer" he shouted. "You must take
your medicine with your boss"
The old fellow hurriedly replaced his
ragged hat and, folding his arms, sank
back into his chair with bowed head.
while Lie turned upon Joe Gregg.
"What did you go into this kind OF
deal for? You knew what the game
laws was. didn't you? Your old dad
is all for state regulation. and here
you are breaking Il state law. Why
don't you stand up for the code like a
sport?'
Joe, who had been Boosting of the
smiles he had drawn from Lee. did not
relish this tongue flashing from her
mother; but. assuming careless air,
he said. I'm all out of smokes; get mo
a box, that's good old soul"
Lie regarded him with the express
sion of one nonplused. You impu-
dent little cub" she exclaimed. What
you need is a booting"
The ranger addressed himself to Lee.
ST want to thank you for very. OPP
perfume intervention. I didn't know
you could handle gun so neatly"
She flushed with pleasure. ooh, yes.
I can shoot. My father taught me
when I was only six years old"
AS she spoke Ross caught the man
Edwards studying them with furtive
glance, but upon being observed he
resumed his crouching attitude, which
concealed his face beneath the rim Of
his weather worn hat. 1t was evident
that he was afraid of being recognized.
He had the Sinking air of the convict,
and his form. so despairing in its lax
lines. appealed to Lee with even great
err poignancy than his face. "rm sor-
ry." she said to him. .'but 1t was my
duty to help Mr.. Cavanagh"
He glanced up with quick sidewise,
slant. That's all right, miss. ] should
have had sense enough to keep out of
this business" He spoke with difficult
ty, and his voice was hoarse with
emotion.
Lie turned to Lee. "The doc said
mo liquor but guess here's where
/ draw one. feel faint"
Ross hurried to her side, while young
Gregg rendered handsome flask.
"Here's something"
Lie put it away. "Not from you.
Just reach under my desk. Ross: you'll
find some brandy there. That's it,
she called as he produced bottlS.
Ciutching it eagerly, She added. "They
say it's poison. but it's my meat to-
night" Little remained Of the woman
in Lie. ard the old sheep herder eyed
her with furtive curiosity.