Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-02-13

SuerS and ulSCOVeTeu II hIoL ich5
enough to see the two get out and go
up the marble steps.
One glimpse the pursuers had OF
their prey as the elevator shot up
ward. They managed to eyade the
hotel authorities ana get UP the wide
staircase without observation. BY
keeping on the alert, they discovered
that the elevator had stopped at the
second floor, so the people they were
tracking must have apartments there.
Lurking in the shadowy parts OF the
hall, they watched, and soon were re-
warded by seeing Durham come out or
a room and hurry to the elevator. He
had remembered his promise to his
mother about the engravers. AS soon
az he was gone they presented them
selves boldly at the door.
Filled with the Joy that had come to
her and feeling entirely safe now In
the protection of her husband. Mary
Durham opened the door. She sup
posed, of course, it was the bellboy
with a pitcher of Ice water, for which
she had just rung.
"Ah, here you are at last, my pretty
c~ousin!' 1t was the voice of Richard
that menaced her, with all the stored
up wrath of his long baffled search.
At that moment the man from the
motorcycle stepped softly up the top
stair and slid unseen into the shad-
ows of the hall.
Fol- an instant it seemed TO Mary
Durham that she was going to faint,
and in one swift lash of thought she
saw herself overpowered and carried
into hiding before her husband should
return. But with a supreme effort she
controlled herself. and faced her tor
mentor with ~unfiinching gaze. Though
her strength had deserted her at first,
every faculty was now keen and col
lected. AS II nothing unusual were
happening, she put out her cold, trem-
bling fingers, and laid them firmly
over the electric button on h wall.
Then with new strength coming from
the certainty that some one would
soon come to her aid, she opened her
lips to SPEAK.
What are you doing here, Richard?'
I've come after you, my lady. A
nice chase you've led me. but you
shall pay for it now"
The cruelty in his face eclipsed any
lines Of beauty which might have been
there.
II shall never go anywhere with
you" she answered steadily.
He seized her delicate wrist rough
ly, twisting it with the old wrench
their childhood days. None of them
saw the stranger who was quietly
walking down the hall toward them.
VIII you go peaceably, or shall |
have to gag and bind your" said Rich
ard. Choose quickly. I'm in no mood
to tri1e with you any longer"
Although he hurt her wrist cruelty.
she threw herself back from him and
with her other hand pressed still hard
er against the electric button.
Catch that other hand, Nike" COM
manded Richard. land stuff this in her
mouth, while ! tie her hands behind
her back"
1t was then hat Mary screamed.
The man in the shadow stepped up
behind and said in a low voice:
What does all this mean?"
The two men, startled, dropped the
XIII 8 uduuS IOT IAc i1otdAI- AhOA
Richard. white with anger at this in
reference. answered insolently: 1T
means thai this girls an escaped luna
tic, and we're sent to take her back.
She's dangerous. so you'd better keep
out of the way"
Then Mary Dunham's voice, clear
and penetrating, rang through he
halls:
"Tryon, Tryon! Come quick! Help!
Help!"
AS II in answer to her call. the ele-
vator shot up to the second floor, and
| Tryon Durham stepped out in time to
see the two men snatch Mary's hands
again and attempt to bind them behind
her back.
In an instant he had seized Richard
by the collar and landed him on the
hall carpet, while a well directed blow
sent the flabby Irishman sprawling at
the feet Of the detective, who prompt
ly sat on him and pinioned his arms
behind him.
How dare you lay a finger upon this
lady?' said Tryon Durham, as he
stepped to the side OF his wife and put
q strong arm about her. where she
stood white and frightened in the
doorway.
No one had noticed the bell boy had
| come to the head of the stairs and re-
ceived a quiet order from the detec-
tive.
In sudden fear, the discounted Rich
ard arose and attempted to blun the
stranger who had SO unwarrantly In
terfered just as his fingers were about
to close over the golden treasure of his
cousins fortune.
Indeed. sir. o wholly misunder-
stand the situation" he said to Dun
ham, with an air Of injured Innocence.
though perhaps you can scarcely be
blamed. This girl Is an escaped luna
tic. we have been searching for her
| for days. and have just traced her. 1t
il cur business TO take her back at
once. Her friends are in great dis
tress about her. Moreover. she Is dan
gerous and a n to every guest
in this house. She has several times
attempted to murder"
cStop!" roared Durham. In q thun-