Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-22
7HeHT N ACM GLIRC SEQ

the tone than the language. I became
aware Of a thin ray OF light pene
trating the seemingly solid wall Just
IN front OF me, and bending silently
| forward could dlmIy distinguish the
elliptical head Of Bungay as be applied
one eye to a small opening he had
industriously made between the logs
Grasping Mrs Brennan firmly by the
hand so that we .hould not become
separated. crept across the interyen'
ing blackE-ss. and reached AIS side.
Holy smoke. Cap" the little man
mrttered in suppressed excitement, az
he realized my presence. ITS a goin
ter be bilin' hot in thar mighty soon
Mariars steam is risin.''
He slle6tiy made room for me- and
bending down so as TO bring my eye
upon a level with his. | managed 20
gain some slight glimpse of the scene
within the cabin.
Mrs. Bungay stood with her back
| TO the fireplace, an iron skillet firmly
| gripped in one hand. Her face was
red with Indignation. and there was
a look In her eyes. together with a
| defiant set to her chin. which prom.
| lsed trouble. In front OF her, care
lessly resting on the table. his feet
| dangling In the air, was a sturdy
looking fellow of forty or 80, with
red. struggling beard covering all the
lower half Of his face. and p weather.
worn black hat pulled so low as al
most to conceal his eyes. His attire
vas nondescript. as though be had
patronlzed the junkshcp of both
armies. In his belt were thrust re
volver and a knife. while within easy
reach Of his hand a musket leaned
| against a chair Two others OF the
party, younger men. but even more
roughly dressed than their leader,
were lounging between him and the
door
Bungay chuckled expectantly.
20 Lord If they only git the OF
gal just little more riled." he whis-
pered hoarsely. jumping up and down
on one foot in his excitement. they'll
hev Their fight of their life !"
do you know the fellows2" asked.
rs thai Red Lowrie?''
He shook his head.
Never laid eyes on any OF EN-
afore, but ye bet they're no good.
Reckon they're q part o. HIS crowd"
The man who posed as the leader OF
the party picked up the empty cot
fee-pot beside him and shook it.
Come. now. Mrs. Bungay." he com.
J anded. 81 tell you we're hungry so
trot out some hoecake and I'll up this
pot. unless you want II reckon with
Red Lowrie"
The woman stood facing him. yet
never moved could see a red spot
begin to glow in either cheek. II I
had ever doubted IL. knew now that
Maria possessed temper of her own.
you amt no Re- Lowrle." she re-
torted.
The fellow laughed easily.
no more | ain'.. old woman, but
reckon we amt so durn far apart
when Il comes to getting what we go
after. Come. honest now. where Is
the little white.liyereL cur that runs
this shebang?"
Whatever Maria MIGHT venture to
call her lord and master in the
privacy OF homo, II evidently did not
sootho her spirit 10 hear him thus
spoken of by another
III Jed Bungay WIS num-" she an
swered fiercely, her eyes fairly blaz-
ing, Il reckon you would Mt be sprawl.
in on tibet thar table fer long"
Wouldn't l, now Well. old hen.
we've fooled here with you about as
long as care 10. Bill. go over there
and put some Of that bacon on to fry
If she doesn't get out of the way III
give her something 10 Jump for" And
be patted the stock OF his gun.
Instinctively | drew my revolver,
and pushed its black muzzle into the
light under Jeds nose.
Shall give him a dose?" 1 asked
eagerly
Not yit; O Lord. not yitl" he ex.
claimed. dancing from one foot to the
other in excitement let Their OF
sal hev a. show / reckon she's good
Ter Their whole three OF EN-. less they
shoot"
BIN came up griuning. HE evident
~ anticipated some fun. and as be
reached out a grimy hand for the slab
OF bacon. took occasion to make some
remark. What ii was could not hear
but I noted the quick responsive flash
IN the wuman's eyes. and the next
instant with a crash she brought the
iron skillet down with all her strength
on top Of the fellows head. Without
even a groan he went plunging down
face foremost, IN front of the fire In
another moment sho was battling like
a wild fury with the other two.
/ II was a quick. intense struggle The
/ man near the door CHANGED TO be the
i first in. and he received a blow frou
! the skillet that most assuredly woulC
/ have crushed his skull had be MOI
lodged: as il was it landed upon hi,
/ shoulder and he recIed back sick snC
/ helpless. By this time the fellow will
i the red beard had closed upon her
+ and wrested the skillet from her hand
/ Struggling fiercely back and forth
across the floor. Maria tripped owe
the body Of the dead dog and fell
bat as she did SO her fingers graspe,
I the red beard Of her antagonist.
yielded 10 her hand. and bare of fsse
save for a dark uoustache. the maj
stood there. painting for breath, allow
her Then suddenly. almost al VI,
very ear a voice cried
! Frank Frank, ! am here