The Huttig news., 1915-10-09

| the preacher; there was hatred and treachery in the depths of his eyes.
 "ls there lock on the parlor door leading into the hall" asked.
 "A bolt-yes"
 Please close and bolt it, and then come back here"
 heard her turn and cross the room; caught the sound as she shot the bolt, ana Rer light step again on the floor.
 Now, something to tie this man with. We must be quick--the table cloth will do! Sweep that clutter of dishes on to the floor Good! Now cut me the cord from that picture
 l had no thought of glancing about; can scarcely conceive even now that did, yet my eyes must have wan dered an instant, for Nichols had the wrist of my pistol hand in his grip. and the revolver went spinning across the floor There was a moment of fierce, breathless struggle The fellow possessed no skill, but the wiry strength of a tiger I found his eyes with my fist, and dazed, his hands re- leased their grip, and broke loose, my throat livid from his finger marks. The flap of gray skirt touched my face, and blow fell-the man went limp under me, his head upheld by the angle of the wall. 1 struggled to my knees, still staring at him, uncertain as to what had actually occurred, struggling for breath. The girl stood vhtf fo open with horror, the remnant of the teapot in her hand Suddenly her hands covered her eyes. the fragment of crockery falling noisily to the floor
 II struck him. she sobbed, un. nerved. IT have killed him!"
 No such good luck" I answered, recovering myself, and grasping her hands, so that | could look into her eyes. "The man is not dead-only stunned by the blow. He will be con scious in a minute. Do not become frightened; you did right, and we have no time to lose. You have a horse somewhere?"
 She hesitated, her hands still held in mine unconsciously.
 "You-you mean 1 am to ride for Lewisburg g-and-and you?"
 ''Oh, l must do the best l can on foot. We'll keep together as long as possible Go, and hurry. Get a wrap, and your revolver
 She slipped out of the room, and up the stairs, her light steps making no sound on the soft carpet l bent over Nichols and as l touched him he stirred. and opened his eyes, staring up into my face
 Don't hit mel" he whined I'm no friend of Anse Cowan"
 50 you've had enough! Then take orders from me-
 l gathered i'll the picture cord tie girl had dropped on the floor His wrists were big and knotted, and drew the cord tight enough to make the fellow vince, despite his groans and pretense at severe suffering.
 Go up the stairs 1 commanded sternly. and keep close to the wall. Oh, you can walk all right my friend, and l advise you to do as 1 say-you see this gun?"
 The scowl on his face was malignant, and his eyes gloWed like coals, but he moved on ahead of me across the hall, and up the carpeted steps, The lamp held high above my head in one hand, sent stream of light through the black shadows and revealed his every movement. At the head of the stairs the girl suddenly appeared, her face showing white in the glow of the lamp A brown cape. fastened closely at the throat. enveloped her figure, and a cap was drawn down over her hair.
 What is it?" she questioned swiftly.
 'Is there any room up here window less, and with a door that can be loeked?"
 She glanced about, uncertain.
 "Why-oh, yes! there is large closet off my room"
 Turn to the right, Nichols; into that room, where the light is burning. Oh, yes. you will! Kindly open the closet door. Miss Harwood Don't stand growing there Get in, sayi"
 He was so slow, that I thrust him TTITTT7ITTHEEs lsSI7TIIlEIJNI N