River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-12-12

| oniaI spy hadn't stolen my coat. had
them. dead to rights, Fagih. and the
papers to prove it. Now l don't care
how it's done, so l get her. | thought
she'd marry me to save the boy, but
if she won't, why then. you carry out
your plan-what is it,"
Fagin laughed. again emptying his
glass.
Easy enough. She's alone, except
| fer her father, and he can't get out OF
bed We've got jerks here. an the
damned old coward will do whatever
tell him."
But she despises me"
ooh, no! Well make you victim.
That will leave things in proper shape
between yer two. Well play it off as
drunken lark-eh, Jones? My Godi
it won't be the first time we've done
the trick either. Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River, Ned? Never laughed so much
in my life. This is a better one. Lord!
but won't old Mortimer rave, an
mighty little good it will do him.
Come, what do yer say, Grant? Are
yer game?"
"Hells f1re-yes." He got to his
feet, gripping the back of his chair.
"Bring-bring EN- in; this is a good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his fist.
''Of course it is, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring in the
preacher"
1t was growing daylight 1 could
perceive the glow OF the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sDuttered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
of the three men. AS Bill disappeared
into the parlor. stole silently back
to the library door,
Tom" / whispered briefly, find the
boys, and bring them in here, through
that broken window. They are in the
orchard to the right, and there are no
guards in front Move lively, but be
quiet"
What is it. hator?" asked young
Mortimer, eagerly.
IL can't explain DOW l must get
back where can see and hear. But
there is going to be a fight. Hold the
men ready here until I call See that
their weapons are in good order"
/ caught the CLINT of his eye, but
could wait no longer. Indeed | was
scarcely back, snuggled under the
stairs, when Bill came forth, gripping
the collar of his prisoners coat, and
urging him down the hall / crouched
lower, the morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place. yet with
mind more at ease, now / knew the
men were close at hand. Within five
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded into that room. eager for
trouble to begin. Probably Fagin did
not have a half-dozen fellows in the
house. If we could strike swiftly
enough we might overpower them all,
without creating alarm outside, where
the main body lay. Some careless
ness had brought us good luck in hav-
ing the front of the house left un-
guarded. These thoughts swept over
me, and left me confident The time
had come when was to serve her, to
prove my own worthiness. felt ready
and eager for the trial.
l caught a glimpse OF jerks face, as
Bill jerked him forward. The man
was gray with terror, his parchment
like skin scanned and contorted. He
was tall, loose-jointed creature, wear
ing long black coat Tapping about
his knees. The guard fairly held him
up in the doorway, and both Fagin and
Jones laughed at the pitiful sight, the
former ending his roar with an out
burst of profanity.
go on back ter the front door, Bill, +"
he ordered roughly. This fellow'll
never run away; his legs wouldn't
carry him. Now, Mr.. Preacher" glow
ering savagely at the poor devil across
the bottle-strewn table. ''do yer know
who | am?"
jerks endeavored to answer, from
the convulsive movement Of his throat,
but made no sound. Fagin cursed
again.
IF it wasn't such a waste Of good
| liquor I'd pour some Of this down your
gullet," he exclaimed, shaking a half
| filed bottle in his fist "Then maybe
you could answer when spoke to you.
Now, see here, you canting old hypo-
critic. I'm Red Fagin, an guess you
know what that means. I'm pisen, an
don't like your style. Now you're
goin' to do just what tell you, or the
boys will have a hangin' bee, down in
the ravine. Speak up, an tell me what
you propose to do" &
jerks wet his dry lips with his
tongue, clinging to the sides of the
door with both hands.
"What-what is it you wish of me 2
his uncertain gaze wandering over the
three faces. but coming back to Fagin
You are to marry this officer here
to young lady"
"What-what young lady?"
"Mortimer's daughter-Claire is the
name, isn't it. Grant? Yes. Claire;
you know her, I reckon"
| could hear the unfortunate man
breathe in the silence, but Fagin's
eyes threatened.
Isis she here?" he faltered help
Elessly. Does she desire the-the cere
mony? %
THAT doesn't happen to be any Of
your business" broke in Fagip bluntly
This is my affair, an the fewer aues
tons you ask the better. If we want
come fuu. what the hell have you 20