Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-04-18

incongruous party. He trfpped over!
distractions and splashed through
puddles, end now and then stepped
unwitting& into depressions with al
jar that clicked his teeth together
and wrenched his neck until his head
ached. Round and round his captorsl
seemed to be leading him--they had
long ago turned aside from the road
he was positive; his brain whirled
and he staggered drunkenly. ONLY
once did he attempt resistance. and
stopped abruptly when his helpless
condition demonstrated the futility of
any such move on his part.
The wind had died down, but thea
rain still poured a torrent and the
thunder rumbled and rolled so that
all the night was full of the sound
After what seemed an interminable
time, Toms feet collided, with a hol-
low reVerberation, against a wooden
step. He mounted three OF them, and
in an instant was out Of the rain and
storm. He surmised that he was upon
a porch, and next that he was being
conducted through a doorway into
house.
A sudden feminine scream, half
suppressed, startled him. Then a
girls agitated voice-and most re-
markedly sweet voice, It seemed to
Tom-said
John! What has happened? Who's
this?"
And Calls replied Don't be fright
ened. Miss Jessie. Where's your
farher?"
Miss Jessie did not answer thA
question. 1t seemed to Tom that
number OF people had crowded into
the hall during this brief colloouy
He heard a rustling OF feminine
dresses and excited feminine whisper
ings, denoting that at least two WON
en- were talking nearby. Then Calls
commanded the other two of his cap
tors to hold him tight" as II they
were not doing 80 already. After this
he sensed that Calls moved away
from him. and he remained standing,
as sodden as a drowned man, while
the water trickled from his clothes
and onto the floor.
Manifestly he was being made the
subject OF quite lively debate, which
came to sudden end when Calls ad-
dressed him.
Say, you, who are your What's
| your name?"
Damn you!" leaped holly from
Toms lips. Free my hands and I'll
print It on your face, you dog!"
Here! None of that" another
masculine voice warned sharply.
There are ladies here"
They're In deuced poor company"
snarled Tom
Gag him." Calls briefly command
| ed. Here, take this"
| But there was an interruption. Tom
/ heard a girls voice-not Jessies, who
ever Jessie might be, but ole Infinite
ly sweeter, say: Wait" The request
was made composedIy. And then
Tom fancied that the sweet voices
owner was approaching him. Next
second he was sure of it.
will you not tell us who you are
! anu "H| SOu "SIo loAio"luB NIL
Callis?"
Toms sole concern at that moment
was a profound regret that he could
not see the speaker. Her voice was
so sweet so soft and well-bred, that
he knew she must be beautiful
Il would be only too glad to tell
you" Tom returned, III It would not
! a hn rvgr Lee
ton to the thugs and hold-up crooks
who are present. Please pardon me-
in the circumstances.
There was a silent pause, then a
gasp from the girl.
1T can't bel" ne heard her exclaim
In a whisper that was fairly alive
with establishment.
1t did not occur to Tom to wonder
what she meant.
But it is" he replied whimsically,
also in whisper Wont you release
me?~-or at least remove this ban
dage?"
No reply was vouchsafed him, no
further speech from the pulse-disturb-
ing voice. In the soft, silky susurra-
ton of her skirts there was quality
that signifed grace and lightness of
carriage; in the faint. exquisite fra
GRANGE Of her presence a something
that rose to his head with the subtle
lntoxication Of ether. She had left
him
He heard Jessie, in eubdued voice,
ask: What did he say to your"
| Whether or not the other girl re-
spouded ne did not know The situa-
ton was brought to an abrupt close
by the man called Calls.
Take him upstairs" that worthy
grufiiy ordered-"the front room. You
may take OF the bandage after he's in