The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-08-05
THE TANNING OF
RED BUTTE WESTERN
BY
FRANCIS LYNDE
Copyright, 1910, by Charles Serb
ner's Sons.
CHAPTER XxvI.

| ~ My Miss Brewster herself
could have answered the
question of her whereabouts
- at the exact moment or Van
Lewis asking. She was left behind,
standing aghast in the midst OF tu-
mults. on the platform of the Crows
Nest. Terrified. like the others. at
the sudden outburst OF violence, she
had ventured from the car TO look for
Lidgerwood's messenger, and I'm the
moment OF frightened bewilderment
the Nadia had been whisked away.
Naturally her first impulse was TO
fly, and the only refuge that offered
was the superintendent's office on the
second floor. The stairway door was
only a little distance down the plat
form, and she was presently cropping
her way up, the light through the up
per corridor windows enabling her TO
go directly TO the open door of the SUI
perintendent's office. But when she
reached the door and looked within
the trembling terror returned and held
her spellbound. speechless, unable TO
move or even TO cry out.
What she saw fitted itself TO moth
ing real. 1t was more like a scene
clipped from a play. Two masked
men were covering with revolvers a
third, who was tied helpless in
chair. The captive's face was CHASTITY
and blood stained, and at first she
thought he was dead. Then she saw
his lips move In curious twitchings
that showed his teeth. He seemed to
be trying TO speak, but the ruffian at
his right would not give him leave.
"This is where you pass out, Mr..
Lidgerwood," the man was saying
threateningly. you give US your
word that you will resign and leave
the Red Butte Western for keeps or
you'll sit in that chair till somebody
comes to take you out and bury you"
The twitching lips were controlled
with what appeared to be an almost
superhuman effort. but the words
came jerkily.
"what would my word, extorted IN
der such conditions, be worth to you"
Eleanor could hear In spite Of the
terror that would not let her cry out
or run for help. He was yielding to
them. bargaining for his life!
"we'll take it." said the spokesman
coolly. "If you break faith with us
there are more than two of us who
will see to it that you don't live long
enough to brag about 1t. You've had
your day, and you've got to 60"
"And II ! refuse" Eleanor made
sure that the voice was steadier now.
Its this, here and now" grated the
taller man. who had hitherto kept ST.
lence, and he cooked his revolver and
jammed the muzzle of 1t against the
bleeding temple of the man in the
chair.
The captive Strengthened himself as
well as his bonds would let him.
"You-you've let the psychological
moment go by, gentlemen. live got
my second wind You may burn and
destroy and shoot as you please, but
while I'm alive I'll stay with you.
Blaze away, II that's what you want
to do"
The horror stricken watcher at the
door covered her face with her hands
to shut out the sight of the murder. 1t
was not until Lidgerwood's voice, calm
and even toned and haunting, broke
the silence that she ventured to look
again.
'Well. gentlemen, I'm waiting. Why
don't you shoot? You are greater cow
ards than l have ever been, with all
my shiverings and teeth gatherings.
Isn't the stake big enough to warrant
your last desperate play? I'll make 1t
bigger. You are the two men who
broke the rail Joint at Silver Switch.
All, that hits you. doesn't it'll"
"Shut up" growled the tall man.
with frightful imprecation. But the
smaller OF the two was silent
Lidgerwood's grin was CHASTITY, but
It was nevertheless a teeth barring of
defiance.
"You cursr he scoffed. "You haven't
even the courage of your own necessi-
ties! Why don't you pluck up the