Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-19

in the road. It's for you to say wheth-
er it can be identified"
Quest drew a sigh of relief.
That's mine. right enough" he de-
clared. Now for the men"
Say, / want to tell you some
thing" the sheriff began obviously.
These two are real thugs They amt
going to take 1t lying down"
Where are they?" Quest de-
manded.
In the worst saloon here" the sher-
III replied. They've been there pref
ty well all night. drinking. and they're
there again this morning. hard at it..
They've got firearms. aES though /
amt exactly a nervous man, Mr..
Quest"
You leave it to me-" Quest inter
rupted. This is my job and I want
to take the men myself"
You'll never do it" the sheriff de-
clared
Look here" Quest explained, eff
/ let you and your men go in, there
will be free fight. and as likely as
not you win kill one, if not both of
the men. want them alive"
''Well, it's your show" the sheriff
admitted, stopping before a disrepu-
table looking building. This is the
saloon"
WELL" Quest decided, I'm going
in, and I'm going In unarmed. You
can bring your men in later, II 1 call
for help or II you hear any shoot
ing"
You're asking for trouble" the
sheriff warned him.
I've got to do this my own way"
Quest insisted. Stand by now"
He pushed open the door of the sa-
loon. There were dozen men drink
ing around the bar and in the GEN.
ter of them Red Gallagher and his
mate. Quest walked right up to the
two men.
Gallagher" he said, you're my
prisoner. Are you coming quietly?"
Gallagher's mate. who was half
drunk, swung round and fired a wild
shot in Quests direction. The result
was general stampede. Red Gala
CHER alone remained motionless. Grim
and dangerously silent, he held a pis-
toll within a few inches of Quests
forehead.
'If my numbers up" he exclaimed
ferociously, 1T won't be you to take
me-"
81 think 1t WILL" Quest answered.
Put that away"
Gallagher hesitated. Quests influ-
ence over him was indomitable.
Put it away" Quest repeated firm
ly. You know you daren't use it..
Your accounts pretty full up, as it
is"
Gallagher's hand wavered. From out
side came the shouts OF the sheriff and
his men, struggling to fight their way
in through the little crowd who were
rushing for safety. Suddenly Quest
backed, jerked the pistol up with his
right elbow, and with almost the same
movement struck Red Gallagher I'M
der the jaw. The man went over
with a crash. His mate, who had
been staggering about. cursing vicious
ly. fired another wild shot at Quest,
who swayed and fell forward.
1--WE done him!" the man shouted.
sect up, Red! I've done him, all
right Finish your drink. Well get
out of this!"
He bent unsteadily over Quest. Sud
denly the latter sprang up, seized him
by the leg and sent him sprawling.
The gun fell from his hand Quest
picked it up and held it firmly out, COW
ering both men, Gallagher was on his
knees, cropping for his own weapon.
Get the handouts on them Quest
directed the sheriff. who with his men
had at last succeeded in forcing his
way into the saloon.
Crouching In her chair, her pale,
terror-stricken face supported be-
tween her hands, Lenora. her eyes
filed with hopeless misery. gazed at
the dumb instrument upon the table.
Her last CLEAN of hope seemed to be
passing. Her little friend was silent.
Once more her weary fingers spelled
out a final, despairing message.
What has happened to you? am
waiting to hear all the time. Has Craig
told you where / am? am afraid"
There was still no reply Her head
sank a little lower on her folded
arms. Even the luxury of tears seemed
denied her. Fear, the fear which dwelt
with her day and night, had her in
its grip. Suddenly she leaped, scream
ing, from her place. Splinters Of
glass fell all around her. Her first
wild thought was Of release; she
gazed upwards at the broken pane.
Then very family from the street be-
low she heard the shout of a boys
angry voice:
you've done 1t now, Jimmy! You're
a fine pitcher. amt you? Lost 1t,
that's what you've gone and done!"