Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-27

L y
er 1t can be identified"
Guest drew sigh Of relief.
That's mine, right enough" he de.
ciared. Now for the men"
Say, / want to tell you some
thing" the sheriff began obviously,
These two are real thugs, They ain't
going to take 1t lying down"
Where are they" Quest de-
manded.
In the worst saloon here" the sher-
III replied. They've been there pref.
ty well all night, drinking, and they're
there again this morning. hard at it.
They've got firearms. and though
amt exactly q nervous man. Mr..
Quest"
"You leave It to me-" Quest inter-
rupted. This Is my job and I want
to take the men myself"
you'll never do It," the sheriff de-
clared.
Look here" Quest explained, IF
! let you and your men 90 In. there
viii be . free fight, and as likely as
not you will kill one. II not both Of
the men. I want them alive"
well. it's your show" the sheriff
admitted, stopping before a disrepu-
table looking building. This Is the
saloon"
Well" Quest decided. I'm going
in. and I'm going In unarmed. You
can bring your men in later, IL call
for help or II you hear any shoot
ing"
You're asking for trouble" the
sheriff warned him.
i've got to do this my own way"
Quest insisted. Stand by now"
He pushed open the door OF the sa-
loon. There were dozen men drink
ing around the bar and In the CEN
ter Of them Red Gallagher and his
mate. Quest walked right up to the
two men.
Gallagher" he said. you're my
prisoner. Are you coming quietiy?"
Gallagher's mate. who was half
drunk. swung round and fired wild
shot In Quests direction. The result
was a general stampede. Red Gala
CHER alone remained motionless. Grim
and dangerously silent. he held a pis-
toll within a few inches OF Quests
forehead.
IF my numbers up." he exclaimed
ferociousiy. 1T won't be you to take
me-"
II think 1t WILL" Quest answered.
Put that away"
Gallagher hesitated. Quests influ-
ence over him was indomitable.
Put 1t away" Quest repeated firm
ly. You know you daren't use It.
Your accounts pretty full up. as 1t
is."
Gallagher's hand wavered. From out
side came the shouts of the sheriff and
his men, struggling to fight their way
in through the little crowd who were
for safety. Suddenly Quest
backed. jerked the pistol up with his
right elbow. and with almost the same
movement struck Red Gallagher I'M
der the Jaw. The man went over
with crash. His mate. who had
been staggering about, cursing vicious
~. fired another wild shot at Quest,
who swayed and fell forward,
'T've done him!" the man shouted.
"Get up. Red! I've done him, all
right! Finish your drink, Wen get
out Of this,"
He bent unsteadily over Quest. Sud-
denly the latter sprang up, seized him
by the leg and sent him sprawling. |
The gun fell from his hand. Quest |,
picked 1t up and held 1t firmly out, COW |
ering both men. Gallagher was on his |
knees. cropping for his own weapon.
Get the handouts on them" Quest
the sheriff. who with his men |
had at last succeeded In forcing his |
way into the saloon,
Crouching In her chair, her pale, |
face supported be- |
tween her hands. Lenora. her eyes
allied with hopeless misery. gaxed at /
the dumb instrument upon the table.
Her last gieam OF hope seemed to be |
passing. Her little friend was silent. |
Once more her weary fingers spelled |
but final. despairing message.
What has happened to yous l am
waiting to hear all the time. Has Craig |
told you where I am! I am afraid"
There was still no reply Her head
sank a little lower ON her folded |
arms. Even the luxury OF tears seemed |
denied her. Fear. the fear which dwelt
with her day and night. had her in
is grip. Suddenly she leaped. scream |
ING. from her place, Splinters of
glass fell all around her. Her first
Wild thought was of release: she /
saxed upwards at the broken pane.
Then very family from the street be.
ow she heard the shout of a boys
angry voice: |
You've done 1t now. Jimmy. You're
! me pitcher, amt you Lost 1T.
hats whst you've gone aad aoue."