The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-11-06

At tool ready at hand to do his dirty
work. Is that IL, Nichols"
He muttered something inaudible.
ANSWER. you black-hearted cur; you
have confessed too much to hide any
thing now. How many are coming
with Anse Cowan?"
Maybe half dozen OF the boys. i
don't know; they were talking about
1t when l left. and thought 1t was go
ing to be a great lark"
We'll, II is; you are finding that out
already. When were they to be here?"
/ shook him to loosen his tagging
tongue.
They were TO ride out an hour after
did"
| threw the wretch back into the
chair before the fire. but held him still
covering before the point of my re-
volver. The dog had told us all he
knew. and there was a snarl to his
thin lips, drawn back and exposing his
yellow teeth. showing that his only
thought now was revenge. Any mo-
ment that gang of ruffians might APP
pear, and was helpless there alone to
contend against them. dared not
move, dared not avert my gaze from
the preacher; there was hatred and
treachery in the depths OF his eyes.
lis there lock on the parlor door
leading into the hall" asked.
"A bolt-yes."
Please close and bolt II. and then
= come back here"
heard her turn and cross the room;
caught the sound as she shot the bolt,
and her light step again on the floor.
''Now, something to tie this man
with. We must be quick-the table
cloth will do! Sweep that clutter OF
dishes on to the floor. Goodl Now
cut me the cord from that picture"
had no thought OF glancing about;
can scarcely conceive even now that
1 did, yet my eyes must have wan
dered an instant, for Nichols had the
wrist OF my pistol hand in his grip.
and the revolver went spinning across
the floor. There was a moment of
fierce. breathless struggle The fellow
possessed no skill. but the wiry
strength OF tiger. ! found his eyes
with my fist, and dazed. his hands re-
leased their grip. and | broke loose,
my throat livld from his finger marks.
The flap OF gray skirt touched my
face, and a blow fell--the man went
limp under me, his head upheld by the
angle OF the wall. ! struggled to my
knees, still staring at him, uncertain
as to what had actually occurred
struggling for breath. The girl stood
over me. white-faced. her eyes wide
open with horror. the remnant OF the
: teapot I'm her hand. Suddenly heI
hands covered her eyes, the fragment
OF crockery falling noisily TO the floor
I'll struck him." she sobbed, un
nerved. I'll have killed himl"
.'No such good luck" | answered
recovering myself. and grasplng hel
hands. SO that 1 could look into he
eyes. The man is not dead-onI.
stunnes Ny the blow. He will be con
sclous In minute. DO not become
frightened: you did right, and we have
no time to lose You have hors'
somewhere"
OHt HLottHttht HfA AehNo oNAh hNt'
In mine unconsciously.
"You--you mean ] am to ride 70
Lewisburg- -and-and your"
"Oh, l must do the best can Of
foot. Wen keep together as long a
possible Go. and hurry. Get n wraI
and<your revolver"
She slipped out OF the room, and u
the stairs. her light steps making n
sound on the soft carpet. bent owe
Nichols. and as ! touched him h
stirred. and opened his eyes, starin
A. up into my face.
Don't BIT mel" he whined, Tn n
friend Of Anse cowan" uxay.
80 you've lad eneushl 13 ~
orders fsor me- A. L
W - 80
wN<ed in Tn wUf26I