The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-15

and drawn about her shoulders. once
| or twice her glance went furtfvely to
! the man beside her. Fear and distrust
We're in her eyes. Her hands were
tightly clasped together as they lay in
her lap.
Deep woods stretched on either side
of the road. Their stiffness was pro-
| found. The enveIoping gloom seemed
as of the grave itself. The woman
shuddered and drew her shawl closer.
Lord ha' mercy" she spoke. ~
| can't do it, Jesse-I can't! It's worse'n
murder-worse'n what's been done
| Already"
The man laid a cruel lash across his
! horses TANKS. You fool" he NUT
tered It's high time l brung you
away. You lovesick fool"
The girls eyes flashed sullenly.
That words a lie!" she retorted.
"Ain't goin' with you? And would
| be a-doin that If was lovesick for
somebody else? It's a lie. and you
| know it,
! The man laughed III you had stay
ed where you was you'd h blabbed
the whole thing out and you'd be in
| Jail now stead O. him."
Suddenly the woman threw her arms
| upward. "ItIl ha'nt me to my dyin'
day." she cried Il ought to ha' told
the truth. wish I had. wish I
had. 1t couldn't be no worseu it Is
| now"'
Il say that it could!" savagely re-
| turned the man. You keep your
mouth shut got all can do to save
US as it is. 'thout'n you Vaughn your
tongue. You keep your mouth shut
The woman passed her hands over
her face miserably.
The man again slouched down in his
seat Now and then his moody glance
turned apprehensively to his compan-
ion.
"I've done whole lot for your sake,
Lottie- May" he spoke at last Il
could ha' got away long ago. I'm TAX
in big chances on your account. And
you don't seem to care"
Lottie-May Doggetts face grew
shamed. Yes. l do. Jesse!' she ex'
|
dom for me. The only show l got is
to 60 with you. And you mustn't
think l don't appreciate it," Her
hands huttered piteously at her throat.
MY Cod" she cried. her voice break
ing in anguish Tom Strickland J
goin' to be hung. He's goin' to be
hung! They amt nothin' on earth can
save him"
Far in the east the gray dawn was
breaking.
Oh Tom Strickland.' cursed the
man. "I'll be glad when he is hung!
You've always been in love with him."
Hes goin' to be hung" repeated
the girl. And they amt no way to
save him now"
An evil mockery leaped into the
mans face. oh, yes, there's a way"
he retorted. you go back there to
that trial and confess the truth.
You're the only one on Gods earth
that can save him. Amt that 500"
The girls face whitened. AS the
man spoke they had turned from the
pike road and We're going deeper into
the woods. A scant light of day had
come. The faces Of the two were
haggard and worn.
Yes, I'm the only one.' cried Lot
tie May Doggett suddenly. And that's
what I'd do now II l had the chance
tell the whole truth. l amt thinkin'
no more about me. amt th!nkin' 10
more about you. I'm thinkin' about
Tom Strickland"
forlOrn and dilapidated cabin was
revealed in a barren little opening
ahead. The man laughed aloud as he
saw it.
you'll have to take it out In think
in. LOttie- May!' he exclaimed trium-
phantly. i've got you now where you
are safe. When you and me leave that
shack tonight therell be no more talk
O. you savin' Tom Strickland. Well
be headed straight for Oklahoma then.
and nothin' can stop u.s."
The girls eyes rested on the lniser-
able little cabin. An ominous light
was in them. The man drew up at the
hut and assisted his companion from
the wagon. He pushed open creak-
ing door. The cabins interior showed
black and forbidding.
That's where we stay till night
time," he said. "I'll take the horse and
wagon round where they won't be seen
if anybody happens to come along.
And I don't want no more o your
foolishness. Lottie-May"
The girl started as If struck. Don't
talk to me like that" she cried. Il
amt your niger yet. amt got to do
! anything I don't feel like doin'. You're
takin' too much for granted, lesser
The man seemed to lose all patience
at this. Grasping the girl by the shout
ders he forced her into the hut. Then
be disappeared. A moment later be
| returned.
The girl was standing against the
wall Her face was buried In her
arms. Sobs shook her body. The man
closed the door behind him.
CHAPTER XIII.