The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1915-12-31

CONTINUED from last iHaueb
Down In the village. nt the little old
hotel. Annette ordered out two horses.
81 cant wait" sho told her foster
mother. Mrs. Hardin. There's no TN.
talking 10 me. I've got 10 go"
Annette started for tho mission.
Half way there two ngurca dartcd out
from behind q hillock. and one OF them
seized her bride and brought her
r,eed 20 n atandstiii. Terror stricken.
Annette saw that the two were Ponto
and the Brute-two OF tho band of
despcradocn whom she feared.
Drag her on her horse" command
ed Ponto OF the Brute. Tho Brute
obeyed. Ponto gave the horse n cut
with tho whip and the horse ampicd
on toward town.
At his command the Brute carried
Annette across tho desert. totally oh
ilvioun 20 her struggles and outcrics.
Ponto led the way. stopping from time
% time 10 make pleasant remarks TO
Annette.
NY this time they had reached the
snail. damp. dank oasis with It's shad'
ing palms and its little pool OF water
Pon,o led the way into the very depths
Of this Inviting green shelter Then
ne struck th. Brute on the shoulder
NOW set her down." he commanded.
Tho Bruto obcyod. Annette gaspcd
with surprise. She was not bound
she was FREQ. untrammclcd.
What are you going 10 do with
me-" qucrici Annette.
Nothing. senorita." returned Ponto.
bowing low.
Annette. wary. fearful. looked be-
hind her as though she expected nm
attack from the roar. hut there was
no ono % be seen. Beyond was tho
desert--thore seemed TO be- no hiding
places.
Ponto merely bowed again. "seno-
rita" he said. with q leer. beauty
In distress melt touches my
heart always. Bee. Tho mission Hes
yonder-behind, you. Your path lies
there. You arc FREQ"
Annette turned. Keeping her glance
over her shoulder. 10 be ready for
treachery. she slowly proceeded on
her way.
Suddenly. without warning. she sank
into the pit.
Ponto laughed In gIee. Tho stakes
they ara like knives" he cried--thsy
arc deadly--they are for jaguars-snd
little wildcat heiresses--oh. yes"
With = cry. Annette found herself
falling helplessly into tho unknown
terror underneath.
"Help-help-help." she cried.
With a bound the Brute was upon
her. He darted 10 the very edge OF
the pit, and with the surefootedness OF
an animal crouchod there. throwing
his entire body forward and catching
her by the shoulders Just as she ais
appeared from sight. He drew her
back 10 terra nrma. No sooner had
he done so. however, than Ponto was
upon them both. knife in hand. MS
teeth literally gnashing with rage.
80 "eisu eo'ob' "~
the Brute-and missed. Then he threw
himself upon Annette and half tore
her In his frenzy from the brutes
grasp. cutting and slashing ut them
both with his wicked knife.
I've got you now. you little wiid'
cst." no painted In cultural spanish
down you Co." ~
He thrust her savasely into the pit.
Once moro tho Brute caught her-and
In so doing swung the three OF them
around. 30 that their positions were
reversed. Ponto. throwing caution 10
the winds. kept lunsing at the two
with his sharp weapon. -.
TN sst you both" he yelled. "iai
get you both"
A moment later he was clawtng at
the air---but II was too late. Making
frantic struggle TO preserve his pal
ance. he tottered over backward
There was the crash OF a heavy body
fslling--a tearing. thudding sound--a
chastity. hideous scream - then 81
lence.