Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-17

sign to warn the girl, Alan released
her. took a step apart and dropped
as II shot.
Instantly she was kpeeling by his
side. But in the act OF bending over
him she drew back and remained for
several moments motionless. staring
at those twin glaring eyes, sweeping
down upon them with all the speed
attainable by six-cylinder touring car
negotiating trackless desert.
When Judith did move il 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 Alan's hip From
this she extracted his Colts AS. treat
ing II as she had the other Then she
crouched low above the man she loved,
as II thinking perhaps to escape notice
from the occupantsof the motorcar.
II that were her thought, 1t 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 TO take root there. When the
glare OF the headlights fell upon them
1t 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 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 in
either hand.
Halt" she ordered imperatively
Hands upl"
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 were sill
houetted against the headlights radi-
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.
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 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 blythe 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 seat lifted
up a weirdly sonorous voice:
"Stop!" he cried stop this non
sense! Drop that man! Judith,
command you"
BE SILENT" the girl cut in sharply
81 command ,here-if it's necessary tc
| tell you"
There was a 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 it indeed come TO this thai
my own daughter defies me to my
face?"
Apparently" she shot back. with
a short laugh. Judge for YOURSELF
Have you forgotten your vow t.
me?"
mo. But | take it back and canoe
it,: that is my privilege. believe.
Silencei" she stormed as he strovt
to gainsay her, "Silence-do you
hear?--or it will be the worse fol
you!"
As well command the sea to still
its voice: her father ragged like a mad
man that he was, for the time being