The Lamar register., 1913-06-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
Captain rhorne J.stlfies Himself

After the two women had left him,
Wilfred stood motionless for a mo-
ment, and then sat YEARLY down to
rest Scarcely had he done SO when
he heard shouts far outside in the
street, the heavy trampling of feet.
cries. directions, orders. He rose and
walked over to the window. The cries
were growing louder and the footsteps
more distinct. Men were approaching
the house rapidly. he could tell that
they were running. What could they
be? What was toward? A suspicion
flashed into his mind. It had hardly
found lodgment there when Thorne
sprang upon the porch. leaped across
1t, and burst through the other front
window into the long room. A pedes-
tai with a bust of Washington on 1t
was standing between the windows.
As Thorne sprang back from the win
dow, he knocked against 1t. 1t fell to
the floor with a tremendous crash.
He stood staring a moment toward
the window, listening while the noise
Of the running feet died away in the
tanced his pursuers or eluded them
for the time being. It could only be
for a moment, however; he had other
things to think of. Well. that moment
would be enough; 1t was all he re-
quired. He turned to go down the
room, only to find himself confronted
by the boy.
It Is hard to say which was the more
surprised of the two-Thorne at see
ing Wilfred. or Wilfred at Thorne's ap-
pearance. The latter's face was pale.
his breath was coming rapidly. he was
bareheaded. His brow was covered
with sweat, and he had the hunted.
desperate look of a man at the very
end Of his resources Neither at first
said anything to the other. It was
Thorne who first recovered himself.
He sought to pass by the boy. but Will
fred seized him.
Haiti" he cried; you are under
arrest"
wait q moment!" gasped out
Thorne; "and I will go with you"
As he spoke he shook himself loose
from the weak grasp of the wounded
young man. and started down the
room.
Halt, I say!" cried Wilfred. You
are my prisoner"
"All right. all right" said Thorne
quietly: your prisoner. anything you
like. Here" he drew his revolver
from his pocket and pushed it into the
boys hand; take this. shoot the life
out Of me. II you wish. but give me q
chance to see my brother first"
"Your brother?"
Yes. He was shot here tonight
want one look at his face; that's ALL"
Where is hef"
Maybe they put him in the room
across the hall yonder"
what would he be doing there?"
asked Wilfred. not yet apprehending
the situation from Thorne's remarks.
Nothing" said the other bitterly;
81 guess he is dead"
WATT" said Wilfred. He stepped
across the hall, keeping Thorne COW
cred with his revolver. Don't move;
will see." He threw open the door,
glanced in, and then came back. TITS
lie!" he said.
WHAT" exclaimed Thorne.
There is no one In there. It is Just
one of your tricks. Call the guard!"
He shouted toward the hall, and then
toward the window. Sergeant of the
guard! Captain Thorne is here, in
this house."
He stepped out on the porch and
shouted again with astonishing power
for one 30 painfully wounded as he.
Then the boy felt faintness come
over him. He sank down on a seat on
the porch and leaned his head against
the house. and sought to recover his
strength. fighting q desperate battle:
eearful lest Tborne should escape
while he was thus helpless.
1t was Edith Varney who first re-
piled to his frantic sumpons by hurry
ing into the room. She was as much
surprised to see Thorne as he was to
see her. Her heart leaped in her bosom
a4 the sight Of him. and she stared at
him as at q wrath or vision.
You wouldn't tell me an untruth,
would your" said Thorne. coming
closer to her. He was shot In this
room an hour ago, my brother Henry,
rd like to take one look at his dead
.faoe before they send me the same
way. Where 10 hef Can't you tell me
that much, Miss varneyi IL he in the
housef"
Edith looked at his face. shook her
head a little. and moved away from