Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-10-30

Imagine some one about to kin me-
to rob us of the gold. Just imagine 1t,
can't you? Now, here is this middle
fnger--the biggest and the best. Move
it! Move it! Move it! Oh. honey,
you don't seem to try!"
She held up the big hand, and
shook it. Then she fell to rubbing and
talking harder than ever.
IF you could move just one part of
your body-a finger or toe-just one,
the danger would be over, and life
would come back to you, and strength
and power. You could take little Han
nah, and hoist her above your head
and set her in the loft.
But we wouldn't spend our time in
foolish play. We would hurry away
from these dreadful mountains, with a
fortune for poor Emil's wife and
babies, and enough left to buy back
the old home. See how much you
have to try for. See!"
The woman sprang up and, sweep
Ing all the glowing mass into the sack,
brought it, and using her strength.
held 1t above him.
Try to lift your hands to 1t. Her
man. Try. try. Heaven help you to
try!"
Only the mans eyes lifted, and they
were eager, burning and passionate.
Then he groaned, and two tears rolled
down his sunken face and fell upon
his helpless hands. The woman
dropped the sack and, falling with her
face upon the bunk, sobbed and cried.
The man in the loft saw his oppor-
tunity.
With the gold and the gun to nerve
him, he might yet elude the long arm
of the law. Hiding in the Businesses,
he would dodge north, till the law
drew back from its limit and left him
to go in peace.
AS he eXulted he wormed his way
along the wall to a break in the boards,
pushed himself through and began
dropping softly down the logs. There
was dark niche at the side Of the
fireplace, and he followed the dark
ness until he felt his feet touch the
floor, then he whirled for a spring at
the table. where the revolver lay on
the outer edge.
But, as he swung around, the GRIP.
pied giants eyes, like those of a dread
full, dangerous monster, met his own.
Between the two there passed a light
ming glare of complete understanding.
and the robber cursed under his
breath and moved but haltingly toward
the table.
He was in deadly fear OF those ter
rible eyes. Moreover, as he crept up,
he fancied that the giants face and
hands fell a quivering, and his body
shook and crouched as II about to
spring upon him. So confusing was
the delusion, so terrible the mastery
Of the eyes, that the desperate felt he
must scream II he went another step.
An instant more and his hands had
touched the gun. but his fingers did
not close upon II, for suddenly It
seemed that the roof fell crashing up.
on him. the fireplace circled In waver-
Ing sparkles about his head, and he
went down with big human knee on
his chest. Then there were giant hands
upon his wrists. and woman's soft
painting over him ere things were en-.
tirely out.
The next the hunted man knew he
was sitting propped against the wall.
wound about by yards and yards OF
torn blanket. The table was over.
turned and broken. On the floor, near
the fireplace, lay the scattered gold
and the revolver, forgotten by the two
figures clinging together In the middle
OF the room. II was very still save for
a broken murmur. a trembling sob.
"Oh. Herman" cried the woman at
last, lifting her white, radiant face. "is
It true? VIII II last? Let us be sure
There. grip my wrist: shake me; walk
walk to your bed. IL won't let you
fall"
The man staggered blindly. but trl
umphantly forward. and sank down
his great body qulvering with the re
turning forces that had sprung up al
the fierce demand OF his will. Tn,
woman sank to her knees beside hin
and cried In ecstasy.
She buried her head on his breast
and so his arm encircled her and final
ly drew her tear-wet face up to his.
Near them stifIly sat the bafflet
fugitive, his greedy eyes upon tn,
scattered gold.
The wind growled In the chime!
and the flames cracked noisily. bu
away and beyond was sound tina
made him shrink and cover In hi
winding bonds.
It was the unmistakable ring in tn
mountain pass OF mounted men. draw
Ing nearer and nearer.