The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-20

Instantly she was kneeling by his
side. But In the act OF bending over
him she drew back and remained for
several moments motionless, staring
at those twin glazing eyes, sweeping
down upon them with all the speed
attainable by a six.cylinder touring car
negotiating a trackless desert.
When Judith did move 1t was not to
comfort Alan. On the contrary. her
first act was to draw from her pocket
a heavy, blunt-nosed revolver, break it
at the breech and blow its barrel
clear Of dust. Her hand went next
to the holster on A1an's hip. From
this she extracted his Colts AS, treat
ing It as she had the other. Then she
crouched low above the man she loved,
as If thinking perhaps to escape notice
from the occupants Of the motorcar.
II that were her thought, 1t was bred
OF an idle hope. Alan had chosen to
tall in the middle Of a wide space so
rid that not even sagebrush had ven
red to take root there. When the
glare OF the headlights fell upon them
it 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 and one who
occupied a corner Of the rear seat:
an aged man with the face ola damned
soul, doomed for a 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 tbs
body of Alan, a revolver poised In
either hand.
Halt" she ordered imperatively
Hands up!"
The three who had alighted obeyed
without moments hesitation; her
fathers creatures, they knew the
daughters temper far too we'll to
dream Of opposing her WILL
In the six hands that were sill
houetted against the headlights radt'
ance. three revolvers glimmered; but
at her command all three dropped
harmlessly TO the earth.
Then, sharply, stand back two
paces!" she required.
They humored her unanimously.
Darling forward, she picked up and
pocketed the three weapons, then with
one OF her own singled out the men
she named.
Nov, 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 Discrimination, 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 will manifested
itself. The man in the rear scat lifted
I'D weIrdly sonorous voice:
"Stop!" he cried. stop this non
sense! Drop that man! Judith, l
command YOU"
BE SILENT" the girl cut in sharply.
al command here-if it's necessary to
tell you
There was pause of establishment.
Then the old man broke out in exas'
peration that threatened to wax into
fury: Judith. What do you mean by
this? Has 1t indeed come to this that
my own daughter defies me to my
face?"
Apparently" she shot back, with
q short laugh. Judge for yourself!"
Have you forgotten your vow to
me?" -...a
mo. But take 1t back and cancel
it: that is my privilege, l believe.
Silence!" she stormed as he strove
to gainsay her. "Silence-do you
hear?-or 1t will be the worse for
you'll" -
AS we'll command the sea to still
its voice: her father ragged like a mad
man that he was, for the time being
Invested Of his habitual mask Of frigid
heartlessness.
! And seeing that there was no other
way OF quoting him, the girl turned
to the third man.
Nov JIMMY" she said crisply
;"Into that car-and be quick about II
and gag him!" ,,,
"1f you do" her father foamed. "1'll
have your life"
A flourish OF her weapons gained
instant obedience.
She stepped up on the running board
and shot quick, searching glance
at the face Of the chauffeur.
Straight ahead, my mani" she said
Make for the nearest pass through
those hills yonder. and don't delay
unless you are anxious for trouble. on
you go!"
The car began to move. She swept
the three mon In the desert hooking
bow, jumped into the body OF the cal
and slammed the door.
They made no effort to plead thei1
cause and secure passage even as fal
as the edge Of the desert; doubtless
they knew too well the futility Of that
she thought, as she settled back IN 9
seat chuckllng with the memory o.
those three masks OF dismay unmiti
gated.