Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-10-28
x X x Y X X X X X X X X X X X X u
Copyright by A. c. McClurg q Co.
CONTINUED


We stood side by side, scarcely
breathing, close to the bolted door,
The flames Of the burning stable were
dying down, yet there was sufficient
light to render every object in the
room plainly visible. Intent as l was
ON every slight sound below and with
out, / kept my eyes on Nichols, seated
dejectedly in one corner. Feet tramped
noisily back and forth in the lower
hall, and the sound of voices reached
us, the words indistinguishable There
was an echo of splintered wood, the
crash Of dishes, and a loud laugh. The
fellows seemed to be looting the kitch-
en- and pantry, destroying whatever
they could not use. Suddenly there
arose a sound of smashing glass at the
front of the house, and the tinkling Of
a piano as if some rough hand swept
across the keys. Noreen pressed
closer, lifting her eyes in appeal.
"They-they are searching the
house." she whispered, her voice shak-
ing, "and-looting it. Do you hear
that? They are even tearing the car.
pet from the floor. Some of them will
come up here"
II am afraid so-but you must not
lose your nerve. We shall have to
fight"
Flight? yes; but what use?" and
she grasped my arm with both hands.
81 would not be so afraid, only for
that man. | cannot fall into his power.
I will kill myself first! You do not
know Anse Cowan; bat l do. would
rather die than have his hands touch
me. l hate and despise him; he is an
incarnate brute-and-an he is here
after met"
"Hush," urged, holding her tightly,
her slight form trembling. do not let
go yet: they may not even come up
the stairs"
"But they WILL" she insisted. 81 tell
you l know the man. He-he swore
he would marry me two years ago; he
told me so, and | laughed at him. He
stopped my father on the road, held a
rifle to his head and boosted that some
day he would make me pay his debts.
This is no mere incident of war-it is
revenge II would not be frightened
but for that-that awful alternative.
Tell me-tell me what to do"
She stared pleadingly into my face,
but, reading no answer there to her
wild appeal, sank to her knees, and
buried her face in her hands. All that
swept away by sudden uncomfortable
terror-by dread of Anse Cowan. A
,hoarse, strange voice roared out an
order, seemingly from the very foot OF
the stairs.
"That's enough of that, Samuels!
Here, take your men up above. Be
lively now, and don't let a rat get
away"
The girl lifted her head; then got to
her feet, clinging to the bedpost.
hand. A thought swept through my
brain-so daring, so reckless, | gasped
at the mere wildness of the sugges-
ton. Yet it might answer; it might
succeed! But would she consent; even
in her desperation, in the extreme of
her terror, would she grasp at such a
straw? There was nothing else-not
another chance. This might not be
one--yet it would surely serve to de,
lay; it would place me in between
mr.
legally marry him, if she were once my
wife! Only the girl whose eyes just
then met mine
Il have thought of one way"
said eagerly, the words coming forth
almost incoherent. THAT is if you will
listen to what l propose. There is
nothing else feasible so far as l can
see. They-they are in the front
rooms now-hear them! We haven't
a moment to lose. Will you-will you
Iconsent to marry me?"
She shrank back step, staring at
me with wide-opened eyes, breathing
heavily.
Marry! marry your she faltered
wildly. why What can you mean! /
Il do not understand"
'Of course not-the conception is
wild, impractical, perhaps. 1t must
seem SO to you-yet listen. 1t is the
one way left open to save you from
Anse Cowan. You can trust me? You
do trust me, do you not?"
"Ye-es-but-"
"This is no time to question. They
are coming here now, those fellows
with Anse Cowan at their head. You
know what for. The question is not