The Hickman courier., 1914-12-17
laborinE pulses.

lAborinG pulses
The two lights were not a mile be.
hind them when, silently, without a
sign TO warn the girl. Alan released
her. took step apart and dropped
a. II shot.
Instantly she was kneelins by his
side. But In the act Of bending over
him she drew back and remained for
several moments motionless, staring
AZ those twin glaring eyes. sweeping
down upon them with all the speed
attainable by six.cylinder touring car
negotiating a trackless desert.
When Judith did move II was not to
comfort Alan. On the contrary. her
first act was to draw from her pocket
heavy, blunt.nosed revolver. break Il
at the breech and blow It's barrel
clear Of dust Her hand went next
TO the holster on Alan's hip. From
this she extracted his Colts As. treat
Ing IL as she had the other. Then she
crouched low above the man she loved.
as II thinking perhaps to escape notice
from the occupants OF the motorcar
II that were her thought Il was bred
OF an Idle hope Alan had chosen TO
fall in the middle Of a wide space so
arid that not even sagebrush had ven.
tured 10 take root there. When tho
glare Of the headlights fell upon them
II was inevitable that discovery should
follow. The motor car stopped within
twenty feet. Three men Jumped out
and ran toward the pair. leaving two
In the car-the chauffeur aud one who
occupied a corner OF the rear seat:
an aged man with the face OF damned
soul, doomed for little time TO live
upon this earth in the certain knowl
edge OF his damnation.
As this happened. Judith Urine
leaped to her feet and stood over the
body Of Alan. revolver poised la
either hand
Halt" she ordered imperatively
Hands up"
The three who had Alighted obeyed
without a moments hesitation. her
fathers creatures. they knew the
daughters temper far too well to
dream OF opposing her will.
In the six hands that we're sil.
houetted against the headlights radi.
ance three revolvers glimmered: bu,
at her command all three dropped
harmlessly to the earth.
Then. sharply. Stand back two
paccsl" she required
They humored her unanimously.
Darting forward. she picked up and
pocke,ed the three weapons. then with
one OF her own singled out the men
she named
Now. Marrophat-and you. Hicks
pick Mr. Law up and carry him into
the car And treat him gently. mind!
II one Of you lifts a finger to harm
him. that one shall answer to me"
still none ventured to dispute her
The two men designated, without a
sign Of disinclination. stepped forward
One lifted Alan Law by the shoulders:
the other took the legs. Between them
they bore him with every care toward
the motor car.
But now a second win manifested
Itself. The man In the rear seat lifted |
up weirdly sonorous voice:
Stop" he cried. stop this non.
sense! Drop that mani Judith. |
you"
BE SILENT" the girl cut In sharply. |
7 command here-if It's necessary to |
tell you"
There was pause OF astonishment. |
Then the old man broke out In exas-
peration that threatened to wax into !
'ury: Judith What do you mean by |
ihis7 Has II indeed come to this that |
ny own daughter defes me to my
'aceY"
Apparently" she shot back. with |
short laugh. Judge for yourself."
Have you forgotten your vow TO
neg"
No. But take II back and cancel |
I; that is my privilege. ! believe.
sileneel" she stormed as he strove
% gainsay her. "Silence-do you
iear?--or II will be the worse for
Tou,"
As well command the sea 10 still |
Is voice: her father ragged like a mad. |
nan that he was for the time being
Invested OF his hAbitual mask OF frigid |
And seeing that there was no other
way OF quieting him. the girl turned
o the third man.
Now JIMMY" she said crisply. |
Into that car--and be quick about II
and gag HIM"
'If you do" her father foamed. "I'll
iave your life"
A flourish OF her weapons gained
Instant Obedience.
She stepped up on the running board |
md shot a quick, searching glance
Il the face OF the chauffeur.
Straight ahead. my mani" she said. |