The Chanute times., 1911-12-08

tnuS lOcate the girl through SUrHe
rustling, some slight motion. A knife
knocked from the table, perhaps. al
she slipped softly past, fell Gathering
to the floor and the gambler leaped
instantly forward. Keith's grip closed
like iron on his cropping arm, while he
shot one fist out toward where the
mans head should be. The blow
glanced. yet drove the fellow back
ward, stumbling against the table, and
Keith closed in, graphing for the
throat. The other. startled by the
unexpected attack, and scarcely real
izing even yet the nature of his an
tagonist. struggled blindly to escape
the fingers clawing at him, and flung
one hand down to the knife in bis.
belt. Warned by the movement, the
assailant drove his head into the gilm-
bler's chest, sending him crashing to
the floor, falling himself heavily upon
the PROSTATE body Hawley gavs ut
terance to one cry, half throttled in
his throat, and then the two graprled
fiercely, so interlocked together as to
make weapons useless. Whoever the
assailant might be, the gambler vas
fully aware by now that he was being
crushed in the grasp Of fighting man.
and exerted every wrestler's trick,
every ounce Of strength, to break fres.
Twice he struggled to his knees, only
to be crowded backward by relentless
power; once he hurled E-asN SIDE
ways, but the plainsman's muscles
stiffened into steel, and he gradually
regained his position. Neither dared
release a grip in order to strike
blow; neither had sufficient breaSa
left with which to utter a sound. They
were fighting for life, silently, des-
perately, like wild beasts, with no
thought but to injure the other. The
gamblers teeth sank into Keith's arm,
and the latter in return jamned the
mans head back onto tie puncheon
floor viciously. Preparation streamed
from their bodies, thelS fingers clutch
ing, their limbs WRAPPED together,
their muscles sakained t. the utmost.
Keith had forgotteT the girl. the ne
gro, everything, domnated by the one
passion to conquer. Tss was swept by
storm of hatred, desire to kill. In
their fierce struggle 'Ar" two had roll
ed close to the fire place, and in the
dull glow of the dying embers. he
could perceive a faint outline of the
mans face The sight added flame
to his mad passion, yet he could do
nothing except to cling to him, jab-
bing his fingers into the straining
throat.
The negro ended the affair in his
own way, clawing blindly at the com
batants in the darkness, and finally.
which was the enemy, ne
struck the gambler with the stock OF
his gun, laying him out unconscious.
Keith, grasping the table, hauled him
self to his feet. gasping for breath.
certain only that Hawley was no
longer struggling. For an instant all
was blank, a mist of black vapor; then
realization of their situation came
back In sudden food of remembrance.
Even yet he could see nothing, but
felt the motionless rgure at his feet.
Quick" he urged. the instant he
could make himself speak THE fel-
low ia only stunned; we must tie and
gag him. Is that you. Neb? Where Ii
the girlr'
81 am here, Captain Keith" and he
heard the soft rustic Of her dress
across the room. What Ia 1t | may
do7"
"A coil of rope. or some straps. with
a piece of cloth; anything you can
lay hands on"
She was some moments at 1t, con-
fused by the darkness, and HawleS
moved slightly, his labored breathing
growing plainly perceptible- Keith
heard her cropping toward him, and
held out his hands. She started as he
thus Unexpectedly toucned her. yet
made no effort to break away.
"You-you frightened me a little"
she confessed. "This has all happen
ed SO quickly l hardly realize yet 1uss
what has occurred"
CTo BE CoNTINUEDJ