Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-11-30
BeBRONZESp
DELL ~ "
ByLOULS JOSEPH VANCE
AUTHOR OF 1.-THE BRASS BOWI" ETC. M
ILLUSTRATIONS WDGW WNlJ5DS
BRASS BOWE." ETY.

His eyes met the girls, and in hers
he read trust and faith unendlng: he
was conscious of a curious luttering
in his bosom.
Trust you'll" she said, with a little,
broken laugh, and gave herself freely
to his arms.
Labertouche grunted and turned his
back, wading out into the stream with
a great splashing.
Amber Strengthened up, holding her
very close to him, and that with ease.
Had she been thrice as heavy he could
have borne her with Is little care as ne
did his own UNNECESSARILY l~ightened
heart in that hour of fulfllment. The
further bank neared all too quickly.
He would willingly have fingered to
prolong the stolen sweetness of that
moment, forgetful altogether OF the
danger that lay behind him.
Ahead he saw Labertouche step out
upon a 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. l told him to wait right
here. and now We daren't de-
lay" He cast an apprehensive glance
across the stream. Look lively,
please"
He shouldered a 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 LETT
I'm blessed" he declared, with a
vehemence that argued his desire for
stronger language. "This is bad-bad
bad! He never failed me befeSe!
l."
A hooking chuckle seemed to break
, from the ground at their feet, and II
the flicker of an eyelash a shadow
lifted up out of the scrub-encumberec
> level. Sophia cried aloud with alarm;
Labertouche swore outright, needless;
and Amber put himself before her
drawing his revolver, heartsick witt
the conviction that they were trapped
, that their labor had gone all fol
naught, that all futilely had they
> schemed and dared.
But while his finger was yet seeking
the trigger the first shadow was JOINED
/, by a score of felIows-shades that ma
|. terialized with the swiftness and 81
lence from the surface of the earth
and before he could level the weapon
9 Labertouche seized his wrist. For a
y instant he resisted, raging with dii
5 appointment; but the Englishman wa
7 cool, strong, determined; inevitahl
in the outcome the weapon was poin'
ed to the sky.
. STEADY, you asst" breathed the Sc
cret agent in his a Cant yo
= see"
a And Amber gave over, in amaze
ment unbounded, seeing the starligh
glinting down a dozen leyeled rifle
q barrels, glowing pale on the spiked
rounded crowns Of pith helmets, an
striking soft fire from Furnished az
s. coutrements; while a voice, thick wit
D. a brogue that was never bred out c
hearing Of Bow Bells, was hectorin
IT them to surrender.
"Aads up, We bloomin' black bel
'e CARS! 'Ands up, ! s'y!"
- "Tommies!" cried Amber; and il
y continently he dropped the revolve
}; as though it had turned hot in h
~ hand.
: STEADY, my mani" Labertouche il
terrupted what threatened to develo
I, into a string of intolerable abus
Hold your tongue! Can't you sc
we've a lady with us?"
20 "Ul-lo!" The soldier lowered h
- rife and stepped closer, his voice '
brating with establishment, "Blimm
'" 'ere's a goi . beggar Of a nj
!. ger givin' me wotfor s IL e was
gent! 90 in ell dye think y'are, y
Nv ~'ighness"
IN "Thatll do. Put down those gun
and call your commanding officer. |
lg explain to him. Where is he? VIII
u troops are you? When did you q
a river"
ng whats this?" A sharp voice c
the comments Of the Tommies, al
ne they were smitten silent by it. An
ficer, with jingling spurs and swo,
in hand, elbowed through the hea
Of the press. rStop that row Instant
"a What's this? Who are you, sir?
II sent the message from Kathiapl
ee and I'm uncommonly happy to me
ng you, whoever you may be, sir. T,
your men to fall back, please, and
at introduce myself properly"
is Two words secured the secret age
the privacy he desired; the officer
ed fered him an ungloved hand is t
'ut troopers withdrew out Of hearing.
he Happy, indeed" he said cheerful
lat I'm Rowan. captain, Fourteenth p
~ neers.'
Mt, "Tm Labertouche, I. s. s. This
ne Miss Farrell, daughter of Colonel n
1g, rell, and this Mr.. Amber Of New Yol
ne, We've Just escaped from that 70
ar over there and-if you1l pardon
suggest you set a strong guard oy
he the ford behind those tamarisks."
,ut -Ons moment, please, The offc
atyode OF to Issue instructions in
III. oswdanaA with Lshertouche's advi
With Them