The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-09
(@elTIMEE
- 80 LOCK /
By CHARLES EDM0NDS WALK
Author of "The Silver Blade"
THE PaternosteI Ruby" etc.
(copyrigh, 1912 by A. c. Mcclurz Coz

| just as ne pIVoIed round, there
came a dazzling fash and a deaien-
| ing Grassland then the deluge. He
received an instantaneous picture Of
two stalwart figures tossing burden
| of packages to the ground, and ten
| in the ensuing blindness he was
seized by violent hands
| Now Tom was himself man of
mighty sinew and well-versed not
/ only in the science Of defending him
self, but of pushing war into the en-
emy's camp. For a minute or two
he made brave fight; but what avail
| eth a mans stoutness of heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
vidials nearly, il not quite, SO strong
as -?
The spirited struggle ended with
Tom lying fat upon his back in the
middle of the road, his three antago-
nists piled Unfortunately on top of
him a painting for breath. while
cataract Of F~n pounded upon the
just and the unjust alike. The wind
whistled and shrieked, the thunder
doomed and crashed and split the
night, and the lightning Illuminated
the whole scene with CHASTITY SEM
blance of daylight
At last the one called Callis-the
sandy-complexioned man-moved sud-
denly to his knees, but without re-
leasing his grip upon the well-nigh
drowned captive-a posture decidedly
uncomfortable for Tom, for the bony
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duffer," Calls shouted
above the uproar, while / knot to-
gether a couple of handkerchiefs. II
he makes a move bat him over the
head" Then came a lower-voiced ad-
dendum which Tom alone caught: Il
don't know but what we ought to do
it anyhow"
/ The other two shifted their posi-
tons sc adroitly that Tom could not
stir. Another binding fash, aHA an
j exclamation from the man KEELING
upon his arms.
"By cripes, Mr. Calls! It's the fe..
low we passed in the sailboat!"
THE DEVIL" exclaimed Calls, who
seemed to be the one in authority.
THAT settles mis- hash. Well just
take him to the old man."
Then Tom was unceremoniOusly
rolled over upon his face, his arms
jerked rudely back and held securely,
; while his wrists were tied tightly to-
gether Next he was lifted to his
. feet, the powerful grasp on either arm
, never relaxing in the slightest degree,
and was so held while a third hand
, kerchief was found over his eyes.
; He did not submit tamely to these
. indignities, but as his opposition was
|. confined to angry curses and threats
. it was worse than futile. He sputtered
and fumed and swore until Calls in
, terrupted him.
IF you don't cut that OUT he an
. nounced with an air of finality, "I'll
gag you"
. And Tom perforce fell silent
though he continued to seethe an6
rage inwardly.
March, you," ordered Callis's curt
. voice, the command being emphasized
by a vigorous push that sent hin
. stumbling helplessly forward. The
firm hands held him, however, and he
. moved through the tempest and the
night under their guiding impulse
To Tom the adventure was taking
on the aspect of a nightmare. AL
. sense of direction was lost; not an
: other word was spoken by any of the
. homogeneous party. He tripped ovel
distractions and splashed through
. puddles, and now and then stepped
unwittingly into depressions with {
!. jar that clicked his teeth together
and wrenched his neck until his heaG
!. ached. Round and round his captors
seemed to be leading him-they hal
> long ago turned aside from the road
: he was positive; his brain whirlet
; and he staggered drunkenly. Only
!: once did he attempt resistance, ant
? stopped abruptly when his helples:
]. condition demonstrated the futility o
= any such move on his part.
: The wind had died down, but thu
; rain still poure,i a torrent and tn,
!. thunder rumbled and rolled so tina
: all the night was full of the sound
], After what seemed an interrninabl,
= time, Toms feet collided, with a hol
]. low reverberation, against a woodel
!. step. He mounted three of them, AM
!. in an instant was out Of the rain ant
!. storm. He surmised that he was upor
: a porch, and next that he was bein.
I. conducted through a doorway into {
!. house.
I. A sudden feminine scream, hall
!: suppressed, startled him. Then
. girls agitated voice-and a most re
!. markedly sweet voice, it seemed t.
: Tom-said:
; John! What has happened? Who.
). this?''
; And Calls replied: Don't be fright