The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-02-26


He turned sneering smile on We'll
cher. Annette uttered an exclamation
"Joe-Joe," she cried, lis it-true?"
Joe turned away-his chest heaving,
bis eyes upon the floor. Jaw, I'm no
good,"' he muttered.
Never mind, Joe, fair one,' said
Hernandez, taking from his pocket q
legal document already carefully pre-
pared, I'VE have business at hand.
This document-you should really
know what it contains. 1t is in proper
shape, assure you. A bit soiled per-
haps,. from long disuse in my breast
ppcket-but we'll worded. Look-it is
complete. 1t is even acknowledged
before United States consul in Gen.
trail America acknowledged by you,
fair one"
1T is not snapped Annette.
Fair Inez here,' went on Herman
dez, ""signed it Annette nington-the
consul was quite satisfied that she
was you. Butt have erased her sig
nature - she lacks the cleverness
called forgery. And your signature
may be on record somewhere-who
knows. Comparisons are odious. Let
us therefore be complete. Take in
hand a pen, my pretty. Sign your
name, over this erasure-opposite this
SEAL"
'I'll never sign," returned Annette.
you will sign," said Hernandez
evenly, land you will hand over to us
all the evidence you have upon your
person. Sign.'
NO." said Annette.
"Well and good,' went on Herman
dez in honeyed accents. Beast
hold her firm. Disobey and the lash
for yours" Hernandez took from his
coat pocket a piece of cord. He tied
the ends together.
Despite her struggles he fitted this
noose-like cord over Annette's head
and thrust into it a piece Of wood.
Then he began to twist.
,"Tell me when you've had enough"
he said.
Like stone from catapult Joe
Welcher hurled himself across the
room and was upon Hernandez in a
flash. Under the assault Hernandez
retreated violently to the wall, strik-
ing his head against the mantel.
Are you crazy, you-worm?" cried
Hernandez with snarl.
"I've-turned,' snarled Joe in re-
turn.
Without waiting for breath he flung
himself once more at Hernandez.
f'Help!" cried Hernandez. "Inez-
tackle this mosquito.''
Inez was a valuable ally. She at
tackled Joe from the rear, and her as
sault was effectual. Her onslaught
was so severe that it caused Joe to re-
treat. He did retreat until he faced
them both.
Now" said Hernandez. And both
descended upon him. Joe was ready
for them. He seized a chair and
whirled it about his head-frenZy lend
ing him violence and strength.
"Come on!" he cried, "all three of
you at once!"
With one wild final swing he brought
the chair crashing down on Hernandez
head. No, not on Hernandez head.
It fell short of that, but crashed on
something else-the chandelier above
Hernandez head.
There was ripping, tearing, crack
ing southland then a crash. Down
came the chandelier in tangled heap
upon the floor. ---,
For one instant there was a cessa-
ton of hostilities. The shades were
down-the lights extinguished-the
room plunged into semi-darkness.
Annette watched in alright. Sud-
denly strange, familiar odor assailed
her nostrils.
"Stop-stop!" she cried.
But none needed her. The Brute
still held her fast And Joe, in his new
and ungovernable frenzy, was once
more at it with the chair, clearing q
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