Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-09-20


over her wet lace handkerchief when
he muttered tenderly:
Poor little chap
Then she sighed again quite secure
~. and there was long silence.
broken regularly and rhythmically by
the faint little catches that once We're
fearful sobs.
"Ol. dear me. 1t is quite dark she
cried suddenly. and he felt a shudder
run through her body.
Where could you go tonight Mrs.
Delaney, if we were to succeed in get
ting away from herc?' he asked alb
ruptly. She felt his figure straighten
and his arm grow tense, as if Il
sudden determinati ton had charged
through it.
"Why-why. | hadn't thought about
that" she confessed, confronted by a
new proposition.
"There's late night train for Chi
cago" he volunteered.
But how are We to catch it,"
IF you are willing to walk to town
| think YOU can catch it, he said.
strange ring in his voice.
What do you mean?' she demand
ed. looking up at his face quickly.
Can YOU walk the two miles," he
persisted. The train leaves Dexter
at II o'clock, and it is now nearly s.
'Of course | can walk it, she said
eagerly. II could walk Il hundred
I,ic 1Io.
You'll miss the New York train, of
course"
i've changed my mind. Mr.. Crosby.
shall remain in Chicago until we
have had our revenge Oh Austin and
the others"
That's very good of you. May ask
where you stop in Chicago"
My apartments are in the c. build
ing. My mother lives with me-
''Will you come to see me some
time?' he asked, an odd smile on his
lips.
prise. THE idea! What do you
mean?'
Il may not be able to call on you for
some time. but YOU can be very good
to me by coming to see me. I'll be
stopping at st. Luke's hospital for
quite awhile"
AT st. Luke's hospital? don't I'M
derstand" she cried. perpIsxed.
You see. my dear Mrs. Delaney.
have come to q definite conclusion III
regard to our present position. You
must not stay here all night. Id be Il
coward and cur to subject you to
such a thing Well. I'm going down
to tackle that dog
''To-tacke -the-dog." she gasped
And while I'm keeping him busy
YOU are to cut and run for the road
down there Then you'll have easy
sailing for town.
Mr.. Crosby.'' she said firmly. Gasp
ing his arm. You are not to leave this
beam. Do You think III permit YOU
to go down there and lie torn to pieces
by that beast just for the sake Of let
ting me cut and run, as you call it!
I'd be a bigger brute than the dog, and
and
Mrs. Delaney, my mind is made
up. I'm going DOWN
THAT settles it. I'm coming, too
she proclaimed emphatically.
ITO be.sure That's the plan. You'll
escape while hold Swallow"
I'll do nothing of the sort. You
shall not s;.crifice yourself for my sake
I'd stay up here with you all the rest
of my life before I'd permit you to do
that"
IN remind you of that offer later
on. my dear Mrs. Delaney, when we
are not so pressed for time. Just now
you must be practical, however. We
can't stay up here all night
please, Mr.. Crosby, for my sake,
don't go down there. TO please me
don't be disfigured. | know you are
awfully brave and strong, but he is
such huge, vicious Cog. Won't you
please stay here?"
Ten minutes from now, it will be
too dark to see the dog. and he'll have
an advantage over me- Listen. III
meet you at the depot in an hour and
half This is final, Mrs. Delaney.
Will you do as tell you! Run for the
road and then to town. III promise to
join you there"
"Oh, dear; oh. dear she moaned as
he drew away from her and swung one
foot to the ladder. Il shall die if you
go down there
Il am going just the same. Don't
be afraid, little woman. My pocket
knife is open, and it is a trusty blade.
Now, be brave and be quick. Follow
me down the ladder and cut for it,
please, please, please"' she implor-
ed, wringing her hands.
But he was already halfway down
the ladder and refused to stop.
Suddenly Crosby paused as if check
ed in his progress by some insurmount-
able obstacle. The dog was at the foot
of the ladder, snarling with joy over
the prospective end of. his long vigil.
ITO be centinued.l ~>-.-