The Western outlook. [volume] (San Francisco, Cal.) 1894-1928, 1915-01-09

him defiantly, Mr.. Campbell had
wished he had kept out of it. There
was direct challenge in her eyes and
pose that awoke feeling of antagon-
ism and he determined that the vic
tory should be his.
In time they were the last two up.
OF course tie hopes and sympathies
of the people were with the girl. Even
in her alertness she caught whispered
words behind her which she was to
recall later on. For a long ten min
utes it was nip and tuck, as Deacon
Green expressed it, and the young
man had won the victory. There were
no signs of detection on her part, but
the victor held out his hand with q
smile and said:
you did nobly. Let me say to you
that l am one of firm publishing a
dictionary, and no word goes into 1t
until | have spelled it."
Il am glad that had such worthy
antagonist" she pleasantly replied.
The next morning there was great
excitement in Freedom. Mr.. Camp
bell was missing. He had not re-
turned to the inn after the spelling
school. He had not left town in any
vehicle. He had not taken any of his
effects with him. Would he take the
| highway thus on foot? He had been
seen leaving the schoolhouse, but after
| that all traces were lost
The constable got busy, and with
him score OF people. 1t could not be-
that any accident had happened. and
telephone messages to the nearest vii
lagos failed to ascertain that the miss
ing man had arrived there or been
seen upon the highways.
All day the hunt and the talk went
on and it was far into evening that
Miss Bird remembered the whispered
words behind her: IF he spells her
down it must come tonight. Is every
thing ready?"
Roy Campbell had mysteriously dis
have had a hand in it, for they were
all sitting together. There was no
lake or river into which they might
plunge him. If they had menaced him
into leaving the village, he would not
leave without calling at the hotel.
What then? It must be case of kid
naping, though that seemed too bold
an offense for the young men to COM
NIT.
Ii it was a case of kidnapping,
where was the victim being held?
Mr.. Davis was quiet, even-tem-
pered man. Not once year did he
get angry at anything, and he had
never been known to strike a man a
blow. 1t was to be expected, there
fore, that he would be bewildered
when the daughter came to his bed
side at midnight and awoke him.
Father, you are to get UP and come
with mel"
Where? What"
Il think / know where Mr.. Camp
bell is"
Good Lord"
Ten minutes later, when he had
joined her downstairs, she said: II
believe the young men have kidnapped
Mr.. Campbell and are holding him In
the old cider mill We are going to
see."
Il will get the constable" he re-
piled.
We do not want him with US. We
are going to manage without him. II
we find Mr.. Campbell in there alone
he will be bound, and we can release
him. II the young men are there you
are to sail in and knock their heads
off"
But I'm no fighter" he protested.
But you've got to be or I'll deny
you as father!"
The young men had made prisoner
of Roy Campbell and borne him off
to the old cider mill, thinking to drive
him away from the village by threats.
When he defied thom-when he was
missed and search began, they knew
not what to do except to bind and
guard him until some plan was formu-
lated They were all there, seeking to
bribe and renewing their threats.
Hit every one of them, and hit
hard!" the girl whispered In her faith
er's ear as they listened at the dilapi-
| dated Oh door.
Mr.. Davis spat on his hands, kicked
| the door down and Sailed in" And
none escaped him. The town of Free
dom has never learned the full particu-
lars of that adventure, and never will
1t has to be content with the marriage
that took place year later.