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

land. He chuckled to think how luck
was showing him Ter cards; Rudy,
doubtless, was still racking his
brains and sitting in town.
Without an instants hesitation, or
a thought of the storm which was
about to break. he set out after the
fellow. He neglected to observe even
the ordinary preeautlon OF a glance
around. II he had. the nights adven-
ture might have terminated differ
emily.
He would have beheld for one
thing, two other of the motor boats
occupants, farther in the rear, walk
ing In the same direction--two ath-
letic young men laden with bundles
OF various sizes and shapes. AS it
was. they on their part instantly de-
tected Toms interest in the first man.
and also the obvious fact that he had
started out to follow him.
They at once ceased their low
voiced conversation, and devoted all
their attention to Tom Phinney.
Thus the little procession advanced
In silence, on through the town and
into the open country.
AS soon as the last of the fringe
Of houses was passed, the twain In
the rear quickened their pace. NOV
ing closer to Tom. The loose sand
underfoot. and the now almost con
tinual crash and rumble of thunder
overhead. effectively drowned out all
other sounds
The sole warning Tom had that
matters were not progressing as sat
isfactorily as he had fancied. came
with the first gust of hot, dust-laden
wind. A sudden shout directly in his
rear startled him from his absorb
ton.
Mr.. Callisl" exploded a voice.
"Herel Quick!"
Just as he pivoted round there
came a dazzling flash and a deafen.
ing Grassland then the deluge He
received an instantaneous picture of
two stalwart figures tossing a burden
OF packages to the ground, and then
In the ensuing blindness he was
seized by violent hands.
Now Tom was himself a man OF
| mighty sinew and well-versed not
only in the science OF defending him
| self, but OF pushing war into the en-.
emys camp. For a minute or two
he made brave fight; but what avail
eth a mans stoutness of heart and
limb when he is beset by three indi-
viduals nearly, If not quite, so strong
as he?
The spirited struggle ended with
Tom lying fiat upon his back in the
middle OF the road. his three antago
nists piled Unfortunately on top Of
him and painting for breath, while 6
cataract of rain pounded upon the
| just and the unjust alike The wine
whistled and shrieked. the thunder
doomed and crashed and split the
night, and the lightning illuminated
the whole scene with a CHASTITY eem
blance of daylight
At last the one called Callis-tht
sandy compleXioned moved sud
denly to his knees. but without re
leasing his grip upon the welLnigl
drowned captive-a posture decidedly
uncomfortable for Tom. for the bonl
knees bored into him cruelty.
Hold this duner." Calls shoute,
above the uproar. while | knot to
gether a couple Of haudkerchlefs. /
he makes move bat him over tn,
head" Then came a lower-voiced ad
dendum which Tom alone caught. d"
don't know but what We ought to dc
II anyhow"
The other two shifted their posi-
lions SO adroltly that Tom could no
stir Another binding fash. and al
exclamation from the man kaeelinl
upon his arms.
by cripes, Mr. Calls! It's the fel
low we passed in the sailboat!"
The devil" exclaimed Calls. who
seemed TO be the one in authority
THAT settles his hash, Wen JUS
take him to the old man"
Then Tom was unceremonlously
rolled over upon his face, his arms
jerked rudely back and held securely
while his wrists were tied tightly to
] SSAAtA- MAI ne Was iUkcQ 10 MS
feet the powerful. grasp on either arm
never relaxing in the slightest degree
and was so held while a third hand
kerchief was found over his eyes.
lie did not submit tamely TO these
indigniues. but as his opposition was
confined TO angry curses and threats
IT was worse than futile. He sputtered
and fumed and swore until Calls in.
/ terrupted him
III you don't cut that out" he an
nouuced with an air of fnality. IN
gag YOU"
And Tom perforce fell silent
though he continued to seethe and
rage snwardly.
March. you" ordered Calus's curt
voice. the command being emphasized
by a vigorous push that sent him
stumbling heplessly forward. The
firm hands held him. however. and he
moved through the tempest and the
night under their guiding Impulse.
To Tom the adventure was takine
on the aspcCt ar a nichfv,are All