Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-09-28
AUTHOR OF "TFfE BRASS BOWIs"ETC.


|
me-"
His eyes met the girls, and in Ter
he read trust and faith intending: h,
was conscious OF a curious flutterini
In his bosom.
Trust you!" she said, with little
broken laugh, and gave herself freel!
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned hi
back, wading out into the stream Will
great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding hel
very close TO him, and that with ease
Had she been thrice as heavy he coult
have borne her with as little care as hC
did his own UNNECESSARILY lightene6
heart in that hour of fulfillment. The
further bank neared all too quickly
He would willingly have fingered tc
prolong the stolen sweetness Of that
moment. forgetful altogether Of the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon shelving shore and, shaking his
legs with an effort irresistibly sug'
gestive of a dog leaving the water
peer inland through the tamarisks. His
low, whistled signal sounded as Am
Der Joined him and put down the girl
reluctantly. Her whispered thanks
were interrupted by an exclamation
from Labertouche.
Hang 1t all! he can't have mistaken
the spot. I told him to wait right
here, and now We darent de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
He shouldered n way through the
thicket, and for several moments they
struggled on through the hindering I'M
dergrowth, their passage betrayed by
much noisy rustling. Then, as they
won through to open ground, Laber'
touche paused and whistled a second
time. staring eagerly from right to left.
I'm blessed" he declared, with n
vehemence that argued his desire Tor
stronger language. This is bad-bad
bad! He never failed me before!
L"
A hooking chuckle seemed to break
from the ground at their feet, and In
the flicker Of an eyelash a shadow
lifted UP out of the scrub-encumbered
level Sophia cried aloud with alarm;
Labertouche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her.
drawing his revolver. heartsick with
the conviction that they were trapped,
that their labor had gone all for
naught, that all futilely had they
schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yOt seeking
the trigger the first shadow was Joined
by score Of fellows-shsdes that ma
terialized with the swiftness and ST.
lence from the surface Of the earth
and before he could level the weapon
Labertouche seized his wrist. For an
instant he resisted, raging with dis
appointment; but the Englishman was
cool, strong, determined; inevitably
in the outcome the weapon was point
ed to the sky.
Steady, you asst" breathed the Sc
cret agent in his ear. Cant you
see"
And Amber gave over, In amaze
ment unbounded. seeing the starlight
glinting down a dozen leveled rife
barrels, glowing pale on the spiked,
rounded crowns Of pith helmets. and
striking soft fire from FURNISHED &C.
coutrements; while a voice, thick with
a brogue that was never bred out Of
hearing Of Bow Bells, was hectoring
them to surrender.
lands up, ye bloomin' black beg
gars! 'Ands up, s'y!"
"Tommies!" cried Amber; and in
continently he dropped the revolver
as though 1t had turned hot in his
hand.
Steady, my mani" Labertouche in
terrupted what threatened to develop
into a string of intolerable abuse.
Hold your tongue! Can't you see
we've a lady with us?'
"Ul-lo!" The soldier lowered his
rife and stepped closer, his voice VI
brating with establishment. "Blimme,
'ere's q go! beggar of a mig
ger givin' me wotfor IS II o was q
gent! 90 in ell dye think y'are, yer
'ighness?"
"That'll do. Put down those guns,
and call your commanding officer. I'll
explain to him. Where il ne? What
troops are you? When did you ar
river"
What's this?" A sharp voice cut
the comments Of the Tommies, and
they were smitten silent by 1t. An OF.
ficer, with jingling spurs and sword
in hand, elbowed through the heart
Of the press. stop that row instantly.
What's this? Who are you, sir?"
Il sent the message from Kathiapur,
and I'm uncommonly happy to meet |
you, whoever you may be, sir. Tell |
your men to fall back. please, and I'll |
Introduce myself properly"
Two words secured the secret agent |
the privacy he desired; the oflcer Of
Tered him an ungloved hand as the |
troopers withdrew out Of hearing.
Happy, indeed" he said cheerfully. |
sT'r, Rowan capfafn Eourfaenth min