Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-04-24

sal and high. do you hear me? Let
me go!"
Mr.. Mortimer" said George, with
out turning his head or letting his
eye waver, keep him back. Thanks"
George stepped over the threshold.
Now gentlemen, l shall shoot the
first man who makes a movement"
And Ryanne, who knew something
about George, saw that he meant just
what he said. STEADY, every one"
he said. my friend George here can't
shoot; but that kind of a mar is dead
lest with a pistol. l surrender"
The brother was struggling. "The
telephone! The telephone! demand
to call the police. This is accessory
to the fact! tell you, let me go!"
"Mr. Wadsworth," replied George
IF you do not be still and let me run
this affair, I'll throw the pistols to the
floor, and your brother and his friends
may do as they bally please. Now,
step back and be quiet. Stop!" to Ry'
anne, whose hand was reaching out
toward the table.
Don't shoot, Percival; l want only
a final glass of wine" Ryanne calmly
took the slender stem of the glass be
tween his fingers, lifted it and drank
He set it down empty. From his out.
side pocket he drew a handkerchief
and ~delicately dried his lips. He
alone Of his confederates had life. 1t
was because he alone understood,
Prison wasn't staring him in the face
just yet. We'll, Arthur, old top, how
goes it? Nearly got your money-bags
didn't we? And we surely would have
but for this delicious vintage"
Damn you and your wine!" roared
the Major, shaking with rage. This
adventure had been nc joke to him, nc
craving for excitement. He wanted
the gold, the gold. With what would
have been his share he could have
gambled at Monte Carlo and Ostend
till the end of his days. For the first
time he saw long, black bars Of iron
running up and down a window. And
all for a bottle Of wine!
Damn away, old sport!" Ryanne
reached for the bottle and filed his
glass again. "Percival, I'm blamed
sorry about that olive-tree Of yours
He waved his hand toward the bags.
"You can see that my intentions in
regard to refunding that hundred
pounds were strictly honorable. Now,
what's on the ticket?"
n suppose your luggage is outside
in the automobiles"
"Right-O!"
well, / need not explain my rea-
sons; you will understand them; but
| am going to give you all two hours
time. Then I shall notify the police.
You will have to take your chance
after that time"
The circling faces frightened per.
| ceptibly. Two hours-that would car
ry them far into Jersey.
Accepted with thanks" said Ry'
anne.
g. refuse to permit it," yelled the
brother. "Mr. Jones, you will rue this
nights work. / shall see that the law
looks into your actions. This is fell
ony. l demand to be allowed to tele
phone"
"Percival, for heavens sake, lei
him!" cried Ryanne YEARLY. LET
him shout; 1t will soften his voice
He will hurt nobody. The wires were
| cut hours ago."
Mortimer felt the tense muscles in
his grasp relax. Arthur Wadswortt
grew limp and reeled against the jamt
Of the door.
"You had better start at once
George advised. you three first
with a nod toward Wallace (his bull
bous nose now lavender in hue), the
butler and the first-man. Forward
march, front door. Go on!"
What about me?" asked Ryanne.
I'm a moment" George could moi
but admire the man, rascal though he
was. There was a pang Of regret in
his heart as the thought came aDd
went swiftly: what a comrade this
man would have made under different
circumstances! Too late! Haiti" he
cried. The trio marching toward the
door came to a stop, their heads
turned inquiringly. Here, Mr.. Nor
timer; take one of these guns ant
cover the Major. He's the one
doubt" Then George followed the
others into the hall and ironically
babe them God-speed as he opened
the door for them. They went out
stupidity; the wine had dulled them
George Immediately returned to the
library.
Neither Fortune nor her mother hat
stirred in all this time. A quality Of
hypnotism held them in bondage. The
mother could not lower her glance
and the daughter would not. If there
was a light of triumph In Fortunes
eyes, 1t was unconsciously there. And
no one will know the full bitterness
that shone from the mothers. She
could have screamed with fury; she
could have rent her clothes, torn hel
skin, pulled her hair; and yet she sal
there without physical sign Of ths
tempest.
On her side. Fortune knew. that, hat
there been a single gesture invitina