The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-09-30
This Gg 4

Lee went back to the house and
waited at the window. He saw Jud-
son ride up and saw the preachers
race when he spied Ruth's horse In
the yard. Hugh had forgotten about
mat His thoughts fled to Ruth. He
wondered II the girl would keep un-
DER cover, but this was Just what
Ruth was not doing. she had made
a desperate effort to get out of the
back door. but had been stopped by a
sentry. She thought that IL she could
get to her father FIRST. her words
might have some effect; she would
tell the truth at last. Nothing mat
Tered but the truth. not even Tom.
. Tot THIS man meant more to her than
iom or anyone else.
The wait was unbearable, and the
man VINO was guarding Ruth felt the
strain too. He wanted to be out in
'front.' listening to what was about to
was wstcbin ,a S conscious Sho1 OF this fact
With a quick little move, she ran
Forward. tumbling the rifle out of
the sentry's hand as she ran past
Lee saw the girl from the window.
and. with smothered exclamation.
threw the door open and went out. Til,
men raised their rifles again, but Lee
was moving forward with his hands
rsised and unarmed. and the men were
Father" Ruth said franticaliy.
make them stop; be II innocent, tell
you-innocent!"
But hudson was too furious at the
sight Of his daughter in this place to
II make?
He pushed the girls OBTAINING hand
on ms arm roughly. and paid no atten-
uon 70 her pleading words.
They have set fire to the house
she screamed wildly. turning 10 Lee.
he nodded gravely. watching the fame
creep. The men had done their work
well. they had carried pals OF oil down
into the cellar and the frail foundation
was saturated with the oil and would
ourn quickly. Ruth looked at Lee wild
~. hlled with amazement at his un-
natural calm. From the beginning
1 when she had arrived at the house 70
warn him. he had soothed her own ter.
ror and had met his fate like a man.
! was this man who was standing be.
fore her doing nothing to spare an
, innocent victim. her father? Was this
/ the holy man OF God whose life had
been carefully patterned after the
scriptures and whose words were God,
! own? We're these men. bowling and
, shouting like half insane creatures, mer
| OF the church, men OF God! The whole
world was changing before the girls
| eyes.
Ruth wrung her hands impotently. II
| only there were something she could
do. But she was nothing but a girl
| and these were men filled with the on.
ides-Hugh Lee must die. She saw on,
l OF the men begin to handle a rope and
her breath almost stopped.
wait" she screamed; wait, I hav,
something to gay to you"
Her slight hEure drawn TO It's ful
height was almost commanding as sh,
stood there.
| 81 want to tell you the truth" sh,
said In ringing accents. You must be
lieye me. you have to believe me. wa
\ shielding my brother the night o
the robbery. He took the money from
the deacon. He was hurt and had sen
for me. and that was why 1 was in tn,
| cabin. That Ia the truth. and all tn,
truth. l swear II. You must believe me
Father" turning to the silent man VIII,
returned her look with no tightening 1,
his face. 81 did II for you. I though
i would disgrace you. Won't you be
lieve met"
The girls voice broke and she faltere,
for the first time. The rough men ha,
stood In silence while she spoke. Their
was something about her attitude tina
commanded respect and they had re
tluctantly listened to her. Many Of then