Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-30

Nc IN Tnelr Damned JAlInouSe!"
den to the courthouse to demand the
keys Of tho Jail. They found Judge
Sidering sitting in the little Office, and
with him, quite unarmed and without
escort, sat Bad Anse Havey. When
the two McBriars. backed by score
of armed men, broke fercely into the
room. others massed at their backs
crowding doorway and hall.
Judge Sidering greeted his visitors
a though no intimation had evel
reached him that they were coming
with grievance.
Come in. Nit. and have a chair.
he invited.
"Cheer. hell!" shouted Milt McBriar
Give me the keys ter tibet jailhouse.
an give 'em ter me quick!"
Opening the drawer Of his desk q
II. he had been asked for match
Judge Sidering took out the big iron
key to the outer door and the smaller
brass key to the little row of cells. He
tossed the two across to Milt in Z
matter-of-fact fashion.
Five minutes later the McBriar
chief was back trembling with rage.
He had found the Jail empty.
IF you're lookin' for Luke Thixton;
Milt," said the Judge calmly. the high
sheriff took him to Louisville yester.
day for safe-keepin'."
The answer was below of rage.
Old Milt McBriar threw forward his
Iihe
Anse looked up, and spoke slowly:
Il reckon It wouldn't profit ye much
10 harm US, Milt. We amt armed, an
4 would bring on heap Of trouble .
Outside rose an angry chorus Of
voices. The news that the Jail was
empty had gone through the crowd.
For time the McBriar stood there
debating his next step. The town
\ seemed at his mercy. Seemed! That
word gave him pause. The way home
lay through Havey territory, which
might mean twenty miles Of solid
ambush. Anse Havey sat too quietly
for Milt's ease Of mind. Was he bait.
ing some fresh trapf
Tho old intriguer felt banned and Of
sea. He had grown accustomed to
weighing and calculating with guileful
elaboration. He baked at swift and
tmpulsive action. Moreover. II he de-
bated long. he might not be able to
control his men. He looked up-to
see little Milt, who was fighting back
the crowd at the door and locking
them out. Beyond the panels could
BE- heard loud swearing and the impa-
dent stunning Of many feet.
what shall We do. SOM" inquired
the older man Of the younger. His
voice had note of appeal and break
ing power.
Wien Young Nit had ridden out
Of Peril no feudist in tho hills had
borne heart fuller Of hatred and
hunger for vengeance. but that was
because Of his father. Now his father
was free. For Luke Thixton no had
q profound contempt He saw in the
situation only game Of wits in which
Anss Havey WAS winner.
WELL" he, replied with . grin he
could not Sepress, hit looks right
smart ter me Hike thar hair't nothin'
to do but ride on back home an try
again next time"
That counsel In the end prevailed.
Outside there had been short, sharp
struggle with q mutinous spirit. These
men had come for action and they did
not want to ride back foiled. but the
word Of Old Milt had stood unchal-
lenged too long to fail now. Yet he
led back . grumbling following and
bore q discounted power. They could
not forget that . Havey had worsted
him.
80 the spirit Of the men who had
eome to fight vented itself in the yell
and tho random shots to which there
Was NO reply. and again . train Of
horssmen were on their way into the
hills.
When It was Ill over and Juanita
nj there IN her empty school she was
realizing that. after all. the desperate
nn0snt had only been deferred and
1uge eoms With absolut@ certainty.