The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-09-25
CHAPTER XXI.
tCopyrlqht. 1918. BY Tho Star Col

frf'h"S NV W iHo otaf Co.
Fifteen minutes later Tommy
stood on the top OF n step ladder
surrounded by an enraged mob o,
men and women who showered vile
epltheis upon him. The step lad
der stood Immediately under the
limh OF a great elm tree. With
this limb Tommy was loosely con,
nected by length OF quarter.tnch
hemp rope. Other ropes had been
attached TO the foot OF the ladder
upon which he stood. so that ut a
signal Il could be yanked suddenly
from under him.
Tommy was not frightened, lie
was dared from rough handling
ana somehow he couldn't belIey.
that they really meant TO hur, him.
II was merely an unpleaaant dream
from which he would presently
waken safe in bed. Then his roam.
ing eyes me, Gunsdorf's. Gunsdorf
no longer looked strong ana terri.
Die. but shrunken and puxrlcd His
eyes blinkei with great rapldity
Presently. Tommy caught sight OF
Mrs. Gunsdorf. He shook his head
gently at her. ms much as 10 say.
You know you really ought no, 10
be such a story teller"
She covered her eyes with her
hands. as " she could not bear the
sight OF his mildly accusing eyes.
II was. only very gradually tina,
tho truth dawned on him, and a
great lump rose In his throa, and
pressed against the rope which en-.
circled II. Yes. They were going
TO Kill him. He would never acc
Celcsua again. He began TO think
OF her. Intentionally. with all HIS
VIII. II he had 10 die. at least n,
should bs with gracious and loving
thoughts. SO great was his con.
centration that the crowd surround.
Ing him seemed 20 grow vague and
misty. and he actually seemed 20
see her--in her white dress with
the band OF jewels across her darn
hair--and tho vague. misty crowd
was falling away before her 10
right and left and she was coming
swiftly toward him.
Presently she seemed IN b. di.
rectiy beneath him. looking IN into
his face. He smiled at her, Ue
couldn't help II. Then she turned.
her back 20 him. her face 10 the
others. and she spoke in a gallant
loud voice:
What has he doneT'
y shiye- went up and down Tom.
fnys spine. In the name OF ali
That was miraculous that hallucina.
ton In white with tho gallant voice
was really Celestial. Yes. And
there. hanging back in the crowd.
was Professor Sulllter with his
thick glasses. and Freddie the Fer,
ret. Freddie brandlshing that big
automatic which his father had for.
hidden him 20 carry. Celestial was
answered With cries from here and
there:
He's a traitor. a spy, He was
going 10 botray u.s."
Gunsdorl crept toward her hold.
Ing In his outstretched hand the
fateful Telegram.
We found II on him" he said.
Celestial read the telegram and
flung II angrlly from her.
is that your evIdencer'
Gunsdorf shrank from her.
She stepped toward him. and no
had to look her In the eyes.
DO you believe that he IL n
spy7'
Gunsdorrs chin dropped upon his
breast and he began TO shake his
head slowly from side to side. The
crowd began 10 murmur with as
constituent.
Then why did you accuse him p
The" mumbled Gunsdorf
Why. in the name ~ justice?"
He-he Is ravisher."
"A what7"
'Iie attacked n defenseless WON.
en- II was 10 shield her reputa.
ton that ! said he was SPY, In
any case he deserved TO be
hanged"
''Ife-attacked defenseless
womanl" exclaimed Celestial, and
she laughed with a kind OF cold
scorn.
Mrs. Gunsdorf crept slowly for
ward.
TT had 20 como out" she cried
auddenly. "he attacked me, n you
want 10 know.
He attacked your"
Il swear II by"
There was n battle OF eyes.
Look NJ met Look at mel" ex.
claimed Celestial. III you are tell
ing the truth you can surely lool,
nt me"
Mrs. Gunsdorf lifted her defeated
+ eyes In one last effort
Now tell the truth" said Co.
lestia. Speak out. so that every
one can near you"
For n few momsnts the G0nsdori
woman was silent. Then suddenly
she lifted her head defiantly and
/ spoke in n loud voice.
Il lied" she said. "He didn't
attack me"
] Then Gunsdorf spoke.
"Cut that man loose" he said
Then no turned to his 6sife, and