Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-07-25

thus locate the girl through some
rustling. some slight motion. A knife.
knocked from the table, perhaps. as
she slipped softly past. iall Gathering
to the floor. and the gambler leaped
Instantly forward. Keith's grip closed
like iron on his cropping arm, while he
shot one fist out toward where the
mans head should be. The blow
glanced, yet drove the fellow back
ward. stumbling against the table, and
Keith closed in. graphing for the
throat. The other. startled by the
unexpected attack. and scarcely real
izing even yet the nature of his an
%tagonist, struggled blindly to escape
the fingers clawing at him. and flung
n hand down to the knife in his
belt. Warned by the movement, the
assailant drove his head into the gam
bler's chest, sending him crashing to
the floor. falling himself heavily upon
the PROSTATE body. Hawley gave ut
terance TO n cry. half throttled in
his throat. and then the two grappled
hercely, so ~interlocked together as to
AldhG tdDOu u6tltSH. WuOtNtT lnC
assailant might be, the gambler was
fully aware by now that he was being
crushed in the grasp of a fighting man,
and exerted every wrestler's trick,
every ounce of strength, to break free.
Twice he struggled to his knees. only
to be crowded backward by relentless
power; once he hurled Keith side
ways. but the plainsman's muscles
stiffened into steel. and he gradually
regained his position. Neither dared
release a grip in order TO strike a
blow; neither had sufficient breath
left with which TO utter a sound. They
were fighting for life. silently, des-
perately. like wild beasts, with no
thought but to injure the other. The
gamblers teeth sank into Keith's arm,
and the latter in return jammed the
mans head back onto the puncheon
floor %viciously. Precipitation streamed
from their bodies. their fingers clutch
ing, their limbs wrapped together.
their muscles strained TO the utmost.
Keith had forgotten the girl, the ne
gro. everything, dominated by the one
3 DdcClOu " ne vas CnCPN "
a storm of hatred. a desire to kill. In
their fierce struggle the two had roll
ed close to the fire place. and in the
dull glow of the dying embers. he
could perceive a faint outline OF the
mans face. The sight added flame
to his mad passion. yet he could dc
nothing except to cling to him. jab
hfr- Id, Rnn,-e into tho cfrafpfpe
throat.
The negro ended the affair In bis
own way. clawing blindly at the com
batants In the darkness. and finally
determining which was the enemy. hi
struck the gambler with the stock o
his gun. laying him out unconscious
Keith, grasping the table. hauled him
self TO his feet. gasping for breath
certain only that Hawley was NJ
longer struggling. For an instant al
was blank. a mist OF black vapor; thel
a realization of their situation cam
back in sudden flood of remembrance
Even yet he could see nothing. blu
felt the m%otionless figure at his feet
Quick" he urged, the instant h
could make himself speak. The fel
low is only stunned; we must tie ant
gag him. Is that you. Neb? Where /
the sirl?"
"a am here. Captain Keith" and b.
heard the soft rustic of her dres
across the room. What is 1t | ma,
do9"
"A coil of rope. or some straps, wit
a piece of cloth; anything o ca
lay hands on"
She was some moments at il. cor
fused by the darkness. and Hawle
moved slightly. his labored breathin
growing plainly perceptible. KeitI
heard her cropping toward him. an
held out his hands. She started as h
thus Unexpectedly touched her. ye
made no effort to break away.
"You-you frightened me a little,
!, she confessed. This has all happier
ed so quickly ! hardly realize yet jus
what has occurred"
CTO BE CONTINUED)