Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-02-21

never waited 10 ascertain II ne
heard me. With one fierce spring /
struck their stunned line. and my
iron bar swept clear space as a
crashed remorseIessly into them. The
next instant Lowrie and were seem.
ingly alone and fronting each other.
A wild cat enraged by pain looks az
he did when he leaped to meet me.
Hate, deadly. relentless. glared in his
eyes, and with yell of exultation he
swung up his long rife and struck
savagely at my head with the stock.
caught II partially on my barrel,
I breaking its full force. and even as IT
descended upon my shoulder, jahoed
the muzzle hard into his leering face.
With snarl of pain hc dropped his
gun and grappled with me. but ss
his fingers closed about my threat,
| something swirled down through the
maze, and the maddened brute Stag
gered back. his arms uplifted. IDS red
beard cloven in twain
Now for il. Waynel" shouted Brsn-
nan. Back with youl"
With dive went under the plano.
heard the sliding doors shut beh!ad
us. and almost with the sound vas
again upon my feet
ITO the stairs!" | painted. "Bren-
nan. take the women TO the stairs;
those fellows are not in the hallway
yet, and we can hold them there a
while"
In c,,r ,n,rtAta ,ooa Tor baS4a a,A
amid the thick, swirling smoke I'LL,
Ing that inner room almost to suf:o-
cation, l grasped the woman CHANGING
to be nearest me, without knowing
at that moment who she was. AL
ready the rifie-butts we're splintering
the light wood behind us into slaves.
and | hastily dragged my dazed com
panion forward. The others were in
advance, and we CROPPED our way like
blind persons out into the hall By
rare good fortune 1t was yet unoc-
cupied, and as we took the few hur-
riel steps toward the foot OF the
stairs found my arm was encircling
Celia Minor. The depth of despair
within her dark eyes and the speech
less anguish of her white face. swept
for an instant the fierce rage of battle
from my brain.
At that moment the mob, discover
ing our direction of escape. damned
both doorways and surged forth howl
ing into the hall
up" l cried. forcing her forward.
up with you; quick!"
paused a scant second to pluck a
saber from beside a dead soldier on
the floor, and then with a spring up
the intervening steps, faced about Mt
Brennan's side on the first landing.
I'VE ought to leave our mark on
these incarnate devils here" he said
grimly, wiping his red blade on the
CARPET
Unless they reach the second story
from without, and take US In the
rear" | answered. I'VE ought to hold
back the whole cowardly crew.. so
long as they refuse to fire"
II was a scene to abide long with a
mana horrible nightmare. never 10
be forgotten. Above us. protected
somewhat by the abrupt curve of the
wide staircase, crouched the women
Two were sobbing, their heads buried
In their hands. but Maria and Mrs
Brennan sat white of face and dry
eyed. caught one quick glance at
the fair face ! loved-my sweet lady
OF the North-thlnking, indeed. IT
might prove the last on earth, and
knew her eyes were upon me. Then.
stronger Of heart than ever for the
coming struggle, fronted that scene
below.
Through the rising haze of smoke
looked down into angry faces. un-
kempt boards. and branished weapons.
The baffed rascals poured out upon
us from both doors, crowding into the
narrow space, cursing, threatening,
thirsting for revenge. Yet they were
seemingly leaderless, and the boIdest
among them paused at the foot of the
stairs They had already felt our
arms, had tested our steel, and knew
we'll that grim death awaited their
advance.
But they could not pause here long
the ever increasing rrsi of those
behind pressed the earl'gr arrivals
steadily forward. Grim scessity fur
nlshed a courage naturally lacking
and suddenly. giving mt to fierce
shout. they were hurled upward, seek
ing to crush Us at whatever sacrifice
by sheer force of numbers We met
them with the point, In the good old
Roman way. thrusting home remorse
.sssly. fighting with silent contempt
for them which must have been mad
dening. even heard Brennan laugh.
as he pierced a huge ruffian through
the shoulder and hurled him back
ward; but at that moment saw Craig
knock aside levelled gun and press
his way to the front of the seething
mass to assume control. His face was
infiamed, his eyes bloodshot: drink had
changed him into very demon
GRO BE coNTINUEDJ