Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-10-01
The Lash Of CircunfAahce,
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> Harry Irving Grssrs
himself forward and thrust aside the
clawlike hand that was descending
upon her.
Get out" he cried, as though he
we're speaking to one who spoke his
language. CLEAR out"
The hand remained poised in the
air, and from the distance OF yard
March gazed into the face OF the new
conner. And in that instant Of sus-
pense and tension the features Of the
Flying Man became photographed up
on his memory as upon a sensitized
plate. His forehead was broad and Of
good height, indicating brain equiva-
lent in volume at, least to an ordinary
mans. His huge eyes were filmy but
luminous within, his nose beaklike.
his mouth enormous and studded with
magnificent, even teeth save for the
long CANNES. His ears were those OF
an average human being, his head
covered. by thinly scattered and ex-
ceedingly coarse brown hair. Taken all
in all 1t was the face OF human be-
ing of species different from any Of
this world, yet Of one who as Desmond
had defined it was "a reasoning. speak
ing creature" and who possessed trer
mendous possibilities for destructive
ness and yet who was not wholly de-
PRAYED or vicious. And now as he
faced him in determined opposition
to his desire to reach the girl, and
yet opposing him without gesture Of
threat or violence, March fancied he
saw the first. fierce glare that had
greeted his opposition fade into a look
OF half appeal. With final command
OF his hand for the intruder to remain
where he was. Alan began hustling
Doris towards the steps leading into
the house. But scarcely had he gone
a yard when the winged one was
again clutching at her over her pro-
tector's shoulder, not angrily as it ap-
peared. but more as an inslstent child
keeps reaching for coveted bauble.
or man grasps for some elusive OBJ
ject which he greatly desires to pos
,sess. Steadily March warded of the
attacks with patient determination to
Illustrate them at all cost but with no
attempt at retaliation, while as Etead-
lily the other pursued with no attempt
to injure either. OF his quarry. It was
thrust and parry, thrust and parry
like "a pair of fencers, and With the
lower rise Of the porch beneath his
feet and but dozen more steps be-
tween them and safety behind the
stout doors, Alan's hope arose and he
whispered word Of encouragement to
the automatically moving girl. And
then at the very threshold of pacific
escape the armistice was suddenly
shattered.
From out Of the front row where he
had stood with the other men staring
at the strange spectacle before them,
Tolliver now stepped with q revolver
cleaning In his hand. He threw it up,
aimed quickly and fired, and at the
crash OF the weapon the Flying Man
reeled with pathetic. animal like cry
Again the weapon spoke and again
the creature quivcred and screamed,
while Alan saw leap into his eyes In
place of the mild luminosity that had
abode there glare so ghoulish that
1t froze his blood as though the other
had suddenly been transformed into a
man eating tiger. One glance showed
4 III to ApSn NJ
now fixed upon Doris but upon Toll
liver, and taking advantage Of the OPP
portunity he hustled her up the steps
with a rush and thrust her behind the
stout door. From without there burst
forth q wild medley, of shrieks. yells.
deep beloved croaks and the sound
OF heavy blows. and releasing the girl
he went flying down the steps to the
aid Of his companions. A
Tolliver was lying upon his back
white and motionless. the Flying Man.
his face now hideously distorted. leap
ing about and over the PROSTATE one
as with amazing strength and agility
he alternately attacked and defended
himself from the rushes of tho five
men who assailed him from every
side with cyclone Of kicks and
blows. His wings now closely folded
somewhat like q fan projected not
over a yard on either side Of him, but
with them he struck lightning blows
as an eagle strikes when battling
close in with It's enemy. Doctor Ray
mond, a heavy and powerful man.
launching himself fairly upon the 9TH
er threw an arm about his neck with
the purpose to pull him down, only
the next second to be hurled bodily
into space by his enemy whose limbs
though thin seemed to possess the
iron tendons and strength Of the fore
legs Of a horse. Professor Desmond
attempting to rush In received q
blow across the forehead from joint
ed wing that cut it open as by a
spade, and fell unconscious upon his
back with a broad scar gaping wide.
the mark OF which is plainly to be
seen upon his brow today. March ar
irving with a rush at this moment
saw an opportunity to launch himself
bodily upon the others back and did
80, encircling the throat with one arm
and belaboring his foe as best he
could with his powerful fist. But each
time his knuckles landed they
seemed to be falling upon stone
wall.
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