The sun., 1913-11-02

Of biackness--siicnt. grim--ninc in all.
Hands up"
The dread order echoed over the
fields. Two pairs of feminine hands
shot spasmodically vertical.
Put up your hands. Mr.. Kent"
screamed Mrs. Foster in deadly terror.
They'll kill us--thcy1l murder u.s."
put up your hands," pleaded the girl
in low tone. For my sake. Don"
Put up my hands," echoed Kent
scornfully. Not on your life! I'll give
them run for their money. I'll show
them that an American citizen won't
stand for highway robbery"
With n wild but at the same time pie
turesquc gesture he whipped his gun
from his hip pocket and fired. Full in
the face Of that outlaw hand he fired -
once. twicc--arain and yet again. The
reports were deafcning: a choking. un-
pleasant smoke filled the air and
through 1t sounded the highpitchcd
shrieks Of Mrs. Foster. The girl. tense
and silent. waited for the smoke to clear
away-shc knew the utter devastation
that would be revealed.
The smoke cleared. hut ,o her dis
may. instead Of PROSTATE. lifclcss
|
still standing in easy. careless poses
picturesque additions to the scenery
One man was whistling the "Suwance
River" with variations. Then suddenly
the tallest figure Of the lot advanced
toward the machine and. loungng
gracefully on the engine. stood with
his nose not three inches from the
| smoking muzzlc Of Kcnts gun.
/ all nj ~, a
ingly. That's all right; hut just put
up your gun for minute
The gun slipped from kcnt's nerve
less fingers and ratified to the floor of
the car. Mrs. Foster switched to "A
minor key; the girl began to cry softly.
The spokesman turned u pocket flash
| on her face.
Don't cry. lady he said. we amt
going to touch you. We just want to
speak To this gentleman a minute. We
won't harm him. Come along. cap.
| right over here for minute"
"Oh, don't leave us. Mr. Kent. We
| shall all he murdered, II I ever get
out of this alive I'll never set foot
| in another automobile as long as I live.
| 1'll-''
! Il told you we wouldn't hurt him.
| lady. Won't you take my word for
it?' demanded the man with the flash.
Come on. cap
| Despite the hys,crical pleading Of
. his terrified companions. the president
of the Gloria Land and Improvement
Company descended from the machine
| and followed the nine across the road.
vanishing almost Immediately into the
| darkness. There was one last despair
ing shrek from the car--,hcn silence
over in dense clump Of trees.
lighted ftfuly and family hy the
| pocket flash. Donald Kent faced his
chief engineer and the eight members
If his concrete laying gang.
What does this mean" he splut-
tered. almost choking with rage.
Perry laid IA calming hand on his
hcaving shoulder.
Now, don't you go and get excited.
cap he said gently. ITS all right
! everything's going to turn out all
| right"
Yes" chimcd in short. thick set
concrete artist. I'VE just got "A little
paper here for you to sign an then
| we'll let you go. without touchin' IA
| hair of your head"
'Paper?" repeated the president
| blankly. What are you talking
| about?'
Well" explained Perry. realizing
| that some explanation had to be made.
| when I spelled of this hold up act to
the boys they were only too anxious
to do it. Why. they'd do anything
| for you. cap, Now they've been duin'
ten hours at three sixty a day. haven't
| they? Well. what they want is nine
hours at 81. Surely that's reasonable
| amt it? And they just Thought that
this would be an opportunc time to hit
| for it-sec?
| I'VE knowed you was a man wut
liked everything neat and reg'lar. SO
we got it all writ out. and Mr.. Perry
here brought along his fountain pen.
Now you Jest put yer name at the
end of il. and it'll all he as merry as
a strawb'rry festival. Here. Tom hold
the flash fer cap-hc can't see To- write
| in the dark"
Kent leaned Imply against a tall
birch. The carefully nurturcd Roman
gladiator aspect was no more.
| "The ladics'll certainly catch cold out
there in that there car" suggested one.
Sign II an get away at once" ad-
rised Perry. ITS the most sensible
thing to do. Come on" He held out
the slip Of paper encouragingly.
"Oh. don't mind the money so
much" confessed Kent ADDRESSING him
self to the engineer; "but after what
! | told you yesterday afternoon ! should
/ think you'd he ashamed to do this"
Perry hung his head.
1T lay with the boys" he said.