The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-01-12
Behind them other lights appeared,

time In search Of the two, then
leaped out directly toward them.
OF this they were altogether ignor.
ant; and when deep, droning sound
disturbed the desert silence, like the
purring Of some gigantic cat, both as
cribe i it to the drumming Of their
laboring pulses.
The two lights were not a mile be-
hind them when, silently, without a
sign to warn the girl. Alan released
her, took step apart and dropped
as If shot.
Instantly She was kneeling by his
side. But in the act of bending over
him she drew back and remained for
several moments motionless, staring
1T those twin glaring eyes, sweeping
down upon them with all the speed
attainable by a six-cylinder touring car
Negotiating trackless desert.
When Judith did move 1t was not to
comfort Alan. On the contrary, her
first act was to draw from her pocket
heavy. blunt-nosed revolver. break 1t
at the breech and blow it's barrel
clear OF dust. Her hand went next
to the holster on Alan's hip. From
this she extracted his Colts AS, treat
ing 1t as she had the other. Then she
crouched low above the man she loved,
as If thinking perhaps to escape notice
from the occupants Of the motorcar
If that were her thought, 1t was bred
OF an idle hope. Alan had chosen to
fall in the middle of wide space so
arid that not even sagebrush had ven
tured to take root there. When the
glare of the headlights fell upon them
1t was inevitable that discovery should
follow. The motor car stopped within
twenty feet. Three men jumped out
and ran toward the pair, leaving two
in the car-the chauffeur and one who
occupied a corner of the rear seat:
an aged man with the face of damned
soul, doomed for a little time to live
upon this earth In the certain knowl-
edge Of his damnation.
AS this happened, Judith Trine
leaped to her feet and stood over the
body OF Alan, a revolver poised in
either hand.
Halt" she ordered imperatively
Hands up!"
The three who had aliehted obeyed
without moments hesitation; her
fathers creatures, they knew the
daughters temper far too well 10
dream Of opposing her will.
In the six hands that were sill
houetted against the headlights radi-
ance, three revolvers glimmered; but
at her command all three dropped
harmlessly to the earth.
Then, sharply. Stand back two
paces!" she required
They humored her unanimously.
Darling forward, she picked up and
pocketed the three weapons. then with
one Of her own singled out the men
she named.
pick Mr.. Law up and carry him into
the car. And treat him gently, mind!
II one Of you lifts a finger to harm
him. that one shall answer to me-"
Still none ventured to dispute her.
The two men designated, without q
sign Of disinclination, stepped forward.
One lifted Alan Law by the shoulders;
the other took the legs. Between them
they bore him with every care toward
the motor car.
But now a second will manifested
itself. The man In the rear seat lifted
up a weirdly sonorous voice:
/! Stop" he cried stop this non
sense, Drop that man! Judith.
command you"
BE SILENT" the girl cut in sharply.
II command here-if it's necessary to
tell you"
There was pause of astonishment.
Then the old man broke out in exas-
peration that threatened to wax into
fury: Judith! What do you mean by
this? Has it indeed come to this that
my own daughter defies me to my
face?"
a short laugh. Judge for yourself!'
Have you forgotten your vow to
me?"
mo. But take it back and cancel
#: that is my privilege, / believe.
Silence!" she stormed as he strove
to gainsay her. "Silence-do you
hear?-or 1t will be the worse fol
you!"
AS well command the sea to still
man that he was, for the time being
divested Of his habitual mask Of frigid
heartlessness.
And seeing that there was no Other
way of quieting him, the girl turned
to the third man.
Nov Jimmy!" she said crisply
Into that car-and be quick about Il
and gag him!"
"H you do" her father foamed. "I'1
have your life"
A flourish Of her weapons gainet
instant obedience.
She stepped up on the running boart
and shot a quick, searching glanc'