The Monte Vista journal., 1915-07-17

upon the platform ana then SLOWLY
drew himself up to standing posi-
.ioh' He was too relieved at his
escape from immediate danger to
give much thought to the fact that
MS Job was probably gone-that he
was out of employment. That a
realization of his full plight would
nave come to him soon is possible,
mad not sudden commotion in the
interior of the car attracted his at
tention. CHANGING through the glass
door, he noticed Jake, the smoking
revolver still in his hand, advancing
along the center aisle OF the car. His
race was working angrily and every
me OF his ugly countenance cried out
Tor revenge. He had been close upon
hurds heels in the mad race and a
duplicate of the Wild lunge that
landed Hurd on the front platform
had catapulted him on to the back
one.
The Powers lumber yard lay in low
ground just east OF the trolley right
of way, and at the instant that Hurd,
Il,
saw his pursuer advancing upon him,
the car was swiftly moving onto a
trestle that carried the trolley high
into the air, over the lumber yard,
and on toward the city.
1t was time for quick action. and
Hurd was equal to the emergency.
With new strength born of his mo-
mentary respite, Karl gathered him.
self together for spring, and muir
muring a prayer for safety, he hurled
himself f1ercely from the swiftly
moving trolley and landed on top OF
a towering lumber pile. AS he lay
winded and painting on top of the
rude skyscraper, he saw Jake car
ried swiftly past him on the dashing
trolley, shaking his fist at his escaped
quarry in impotent rage.
Slowly, his fingers gripping des-
perately at the projecting boards. his
feet unsteady and his head swim
ming, Hurd climbed down the side
of the lumber pile that had been his
temporary haven. 1t seemed ages
before he reached the ground.
And then he came face to face with
Snyder.
Like wild beasts the men glared at
each other.
Slowly, cautiously they approached
Snyder's attitude was eager, expect
ant, Hurd's was desperate. Snyder
swung his rude weapon easily, hold
ing it ready. Hurd's fists were
doubled. The two men closed.
Snyder, his intended blow blocked
for the moment, found himself borne
backward by the fierce rush OF the
other He struggled with determine
ton worthy of better cause. And
his superior strength soon told.
Straining and painting he slowly
forced Hurd to release his grip, and,
showing his opponent from him, he
suddenly, with the swiftness Of a man
trained to such warfare raised his
club and sent it crashing down upon
the skull of the underfed and poorly
nourished stevedore.
Hurd dropped like stone. He was
done.
"Wat until my birthday, Perry-it's
only four months-and then per
haps-"
Laura Powers had gently withdrawn
her soft white hand from the more
masculine ones OF Perry Travis and
had gazed dreamily out across the
well trimmed lawns and beautiful gar
dens
She was happy and pampered and
INDUCED. She had reveled in a fathers
love-a love that amounted almost to
worship. And now she knew that she
had gained another mans love - the
love of a man who was worthy and
had her fathers approval.
Small wonder that the days had
flown swiftly Small wonder that time
had taken unto itself wings. And now
her birthday was here. Already the
guests were assembling Already Per
nv was at the house, eager and impa-
tient for his answer. And even yet
Laura sometimes wondered just what
that answer would be.
And Laura. while entering into the
gayety about her. yet found her mind
frequently wandering away from her
surroundings; found herself constant
" trying to concentrate on the answer
she was so soon to give Perry.
And then he came to greet her. Long
and fondly he gaZed into her eyes and
unconscious of her surroundings she
let him hold her hand longer than
WAC strictly NECESSARY.