The Delta independent., 1911-03-31

Lee was alarmed at her mothers ap-
pearance. You must go to bed. You
look ghastly.'
II reckon I'd better lay down for a
little while, but l 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 do?''
Shoot" replied Lie, with dry brew
ity. Il wouldn't mind chance to
plug some of the sweet citizens of
this town. l 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 infiu-
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
noislly. drunkenly arguing as to the
most effective method of taking the
prisoners.
Come Oh. boysr' said Ballard. his
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 a second revolver by the light
of the electric bulb. A jarring blow
was heard. Hear that? They're
breaking in!' said Lie She started
to leave the room.
Lee stopped her. "where are you
going?"
ITO help Ross Herer' She thrust
the handle of smaller weapon into
Lees hand Ed Wetherford's girl
ought to be able to take care of her.
self. Come onr'
With most unheroic horror be-
numbing her limbs. Lee followed 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
a chair between his two prisoners and
confronting Ballard at the head of a
crowd of frenzied villains stood the
ranger. cleaning weapon in his
hand, 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 here" she snarled. thrusting
her revolver into the very mouth Of
the leader.
oil faIl INno IN, ncfn ntsb broo nj
and fear.
Ross leaped to her side. Leave
them to mev he said "I'll clear the
room"
Not on your life! This is my house.
l 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.
and 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 a 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
l..At hos
you are breaking a state law. Why
don't you stand up for the code like
sport?'
Joe. who had been boasting Of the
smiles he had drawn from Lee. did not
relish this tongue lashing from her
mother; but. assuming careless air.
he said. I'm all out of smokes; get me
a box. that's a good old soul"
Lie regarded him with the express
sion of one nonplused. You impu-
dent little cub.' she exclaimed. "What
you need is bootng.'
The ranger addressed himself to Lee.
"T want to thank you for very op-
perfume Intervention. I didn't know
you could handle gun so neatly"
She flushed with pleasure. "Oh. yes.
can shoot. My father taught me
when 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
er poignancy than his face. "I'm sor-
ry," she said to him. "but 1t was my