The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-01


"An the better; I'll be on hand TO
help. But they're less likely to boil'in
on you through locked door,
But your daughter? 1t viii alarm
her.
She'll be In the other house, and,
besides, she'd feel easier if you are in
my place. She's all wrought up by
the attack on you"
Ross turned to his prisoners. Fol
low Mrs. Wetherford and-eyes frontr'
you needn't worry about me-" said
Joe. 81 won't rum
81 don't intend to give you a chance
replied Ross
Edwards seemed to have lost in both
courage and physical stature. He
siouched along with shutting step, his
head bent and his face pale. Ross was
now profoundly sorry for him. so ut
terly craven and broken was his look
As Ross brought his two prisoners
to the Wetherford House Lee was
waiting on the porch of the hotel,
tense with excitement, straining her
ears and eyes to see what was taking
place.
The night had started with a small
sickle of moon, but this had dropped
below the range, leaving the street
dark save where the lights from the
windows Of the all night eating houses
and saloons lay out upon the walk.
and while she stood peering out the
sound Of rancorous bowling and shrill
whooping came to her ears with such
suggestion Of ferocity that she shiv-
! cred
A few Of the hotel guests had gone
/ to bed, but the women were up. ex-
! cited and nervous. starting at every
| fresh outburst Of whooping, knowing
that their sons or husbands were out
in the street ito see the fun" and that
they might meet trouble
At last Lee discerned her mother re-
turning from Halsey's, followed by
three men. Withdrawing from the lit
tie porch whereon she had been stand
ing, she re-entered the house to meet
her mother in the hall. Where is Mr..
Cavanagh?" she asked.
"Out in the dining room. You see,
Mike Halsey is no kind of use. He
vamoosed and left Ross down there
alone with his two prisoners and the
lights likely to be turned out on him,
! so I offered the caffy as a calaboose.
They are sure In for a long and tedi-
GUS night"
Lee was alarmed at her mothers ap-
10
look CHASTITY"
81 reckon I'd better lay down for
little while, but 1 can't sleep. Ross
may need me. There isn't a man to
help him but me, and that loafer Bal
lard is full of gall. He's got it in for
Ross and will make trouble if he can"
What can we dor
Shoot" replied Lie, with dry brew
ity. Il wouldn't mind a chance to
plug some Of the sweet citizens Of
this town. owe them one or two"
With this sentence in her ears Lee
Virginia went to her bed. but not to
slumber Her utter inability either to
control her mothers action or to influ-
ence that Of the mob added to her
uneasiness.
The singing. shouting, trampling OF
the crowd went on. and once a group
of men halted just outside her win
dow. and she heard Neill Ballard
noisily, drunkenly arguing as to the
most effective method Of taking the
prisoners.
Come on, boysv' said Ballard. his
voice filed with reckless determine
ton. Lets run him."
As they passed the girl sprang up
and went to her mothers room to
warn her OF the threatened attack.
Lie was already awake and calmly
loading second revolver by the light
OF the electric bulb. A jarring blow
was heard. Hear that? They're
breaking I'M said Lie. She started
TO leave the room.
Lee stopped her. Where are you
goingT'
To help Ross. Herer' She thrust
the handle OF a smaller weapon into
Lees hand Ed wetherford's girl
ought to be able to take care Of her
self. Come on"
With a most unheroic horror be
numbing her limbs. Leetfollowed her
mother through the hall The sound
of shouts and the trampling OF feet
could be heard, and she came out into
the restaurant Just in time to photo
graph upon her brain scene whose
Significance was at once apparent. On
. chat l,atxpaan his tyTo prisoners and
confronting Ballard at the head Oh
crowd OF frenzied villains stood the
ranger, a cleaning weapon In his
hand. a 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