The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-03
Continued from Last Issue.)
 CHAPTER kI.
rhe FIaht In the park

Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer. Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely: he could not believe evil of her; he would have died If need be in her defense. But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even possibility of escape for them all. The gambler. assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not overscrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within. It was these very arrange ments for evil which now afforded op. portunity, and Keith crept forward alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest Even al. though he surprised his antagonist, it was going to be fight for life; he knew Black Bart" broad-shouldered quick as a cat, accustomed to every form of physical exercise. desperate and tricky. using either knife or gun recklessly. Yet 1t was now or never for all of them, and the plainsman felt no mercy. experienced no reluctance. Re reached the table, and straight ened up. silent, expectant. For an in stant there was no further souad; no evidence of movement in the room. Hawley, puzzled by the silence, was listening intently in an endeavcr to thus locate the girl through some rustling. some slight motion. A knife. knocked from the table, perhaps, as she slipped softly past, fell clattering to the floor, and the gambler leaped instantly forward. Keith's grip closed like iron on his groping 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. grappling for the throat. The other. startled by the unexpected attack, and scarcely real izing even yet the nature of his an tag9nist. struggled blindly to escape the fingers clawing at him, and flung one hand down to the knife in his belt. Warned by the movement the 'ssailant drove his head into the gam oler's chest, sending him crashing to the floor, falling himself heavily upon the prostrate body. Hawley gave ut terance to one cry, half throttled in his throat, and then the two grappled aercely, so interlocked together as to make weapons useless. Whoever the assailant might De, the gambler was 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 free. Twice he struggled to his knees, only to be cro~ ded backward by relentless power; once he hurled Keith 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 breath 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 damned tho mans head back onto the puncheon floor vioiously. Precipitation streamed from their bodies, their fingers clutch ing, their limbs wrapped together their muscles strained to the utmost. Keith had forgotten the girl. the ne- gro. everything. dominated by the one passion to conquer. He was swept by a storm of hatred, desire to kin. In their fierce struggle the two had roll cd close to the fire place, and in the dull glow Of the dying embers, he could perceive 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 biindly at the com batants in the darkness. and finally. determining which was the enemy, he 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. mist of black vapor; then realizatian of their situation came back in sudden flood of remembrance. Even yet he could see nothing, but felt the motionless figure at his feet.
 Quick" he urged. the instant he could make himself speak. The fel- low Is only stunned; we must tie and gag him. Is that you. Neb7 Where. is the girl?"
 T am here. Captain Keith" and he heard the soft rustic of her dress icross the room. What is 1t may do?"
 "A coil of rope. or some straps. with piece of cloth: anything you can lay hands on.''
 She was some moments at it. con fused by the darkness. and Hawley moved slightly. his labored breathing growing plainly perceptible. Keith heard her groping toward him. and held out his hands. She started as he thus unexpectedly touched her. yet made no effort to break away.
 You-you frightened me q little,
 N