The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-17

also to hit upon him as an ally in her
own plans. Therefore, as Kitty rode
now-not so fast as not to leave album
dant bits OF paper on the trail so that
Roleau might be able to track her-it
was not towards any citadel of the law
not to Gretzhoffen town itself-but
towards the capital of lack of law;
the rendezvous of the ragged ban.
ditti OF the desert.
They sat, these rude and careless
folk, III clad, ragged, yet not Ill con-
tent. under the sheltering rocks which
made their lair or den on the cross
road in the neutral lands. Cooking,
eating, drinking, they spent the time
as persons Of no more mentality than
theirs would spend TICKING, con.
versing, talking of what they had done.
vaporing of what they we're about to
do Most prominently in their minds
seemed to linger the memory of their
little expedition IN which they had
taken prisoner the Count Frederick
and the beautiful young American.
And the chief let that prize got"
grumbled one. out of the whole en-
terprise we got nothing. absolutely
nothing. What the count gave-us
would not have made two lire apiece,
divided fairly among our band. The
main prize-the young woman-we
got nothing for her whatever. And
yet, what a chance for ransom!"
Such chance does not come oft
en-. But / wonder where the chief
himself is tonight. And are the pick
cts out down the road? In these times
we cannot be too careful, for they say
that between the two kingdoms war
may come, and II so 1t would be but
our luck for one of the armies to
ask us to recruit with them"
60. you fellows, two of you," in
structed' one who seemed to be some
sort of lieutenant. Step out and
scout down the road a Bit"
1t was not long after this that the
men left at the rendezvous heard In
the darkness a woman's scream.
With this came the laughing shout Of
their comrades.
"Ho, brothers," cried the ruffan who
held Kitty in his arms-"By the Lord,
It's the same!-'tis the young Amer
lean highness whom we lost!"
Loose me! Let me free!" cried
Kitty vehemently-"I came to you for
help. trusted in you. am in need
and ! ask you gentlemen to be my
friends"
What, your friends!" They laughed
loudly at this.
Yes, your leader knows me-do you
not remember how he took us captive
the other day? He told me then II
needed aid to'count on him. Does one
OF your brotherhood speak falsely"
They fell back from her now re.
specially, impressed in part by what
she said, and in part by the fear that
they might offend their leader. This
latter fear was well placed, for even
now they heard the sounds of rapid
hoofbeats.
Hist" exclaimed one, "Landozi-it
is very likely he."
And 1t was he, the man whom they
all respected through their fears. He
flung himself from his horse now and
strobe into the lighted circle.
What now, fellows!" exclaimed he,
as he caught sight of the young wom-
an standing there, disheveled. pale.
do you not know this excellency?
What, would you insult her!"
Il came hither for help" exclaimed
Kitty, addressing him with such ap.
peal in her eyes as any man would |
have found 1t difficult to resist. II
am in need-I am in pursuit OF thief
and /"
And you ask thief to catch a
theft" The bandit chieftain smiled |
grimly.
mo, not In the least-I do not call |
you so, you brothers of the desert. |
You yourself, Captain Landozi, told me
to come to you II needed help. Well,
l need 1t now, tonight, this
very moment! am all alone.
need conduct to Gretzhoffen
town. | am convinced that the man
who robbed me fed thither. What,
would you allow one to escape who
would rob a woman"
NO." exclaimed Landozi. THAT is
not our trade. 1t is our profession
that we take only from the rich; and
we do not side with those who rob the
weak. Excellency, my word is my
word. You come to us for aid, and we
should be barren of all honor did we
not give you aid What can we do?"
Ride with mel" exclaimed Kitty
"Yourself-two or three men-show
me the way from here to Gretzhoffen.
Shield me against any other possible
riders who may not be of your broth
ehrood. Is 1t agreed?"
1T is agreed" exclaimed Landozi,
and with small discussion they soon
were in the saddle again-Landozi,
two or three OF his stoutest men and
Kitty; and once more she felt the
rush of the wind against her cheek,
as a good horse carried her forword.