The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-22
Copyright. 1874. b, tn. star oOms.ay,.

II Mrs. Hanson had composed her
self more quickly and had set about
telling her story with a little more
promptness, the mystery OF the Mill
terry to me-everythine might have been
different-much might have been saved.
The Undertaker's Wagon.
As 1t was. we were just in time 10
see a grim-looking wagon back deeper
into the woods while q sable under
takers wagon drove out.
There was something menacing
about the mere appearance of the
undertaker's cart. There, in the cool
darkness OF the woods, the very sight
of 1t chilled my blood. All about us,
hiding In the bushes. were men with
a look of ugly and intent purpose on
their faces.
Then through the shrubbery there
peered n man whom I recognized at
once as the one who had seemed 80
where Mrs. Hanson lived, He looked
startled, and withdrew again In
That's he! That's my Georgew
gasped Mrs. Hanson.
And now from the underbrush there
advanced upon us the man 1 had
seen accompanying Hanson. He was
s enI US with a heavy .cudgel,
Hanson to come to the rescue. When
ne ola not, retreat semed TO be the
order or the day. There was nothine
to he gained by facing the brutal.
iooking man with his uplifeted stick.
And as We hurried away Mrs. Han
son whispered to me: That's DoyIe."
Back to the cottage we hurried.
WIN a common desire to get out Of
those gloomy woods and look at the
s'aaS Nnw sanely by daylight.
my heart about George, don't Won?
What shall 1 dor" 'N'
He knows you saw him." said 7
wow you must demand an expiana-
ZION; He may be able to-"
Explain! laughed Gladys Hanson
almost Historically.
But second later the beginning OF
series or circumstances which was to
10 serve as George Hanson's expiana-
tIoh was set In motion. The door open
by an even more and unprincipled-
looking man than himself.
Beatrice Is Threatened.
Both the men pulled guns. and DOYLE
sinied over to me and. pointing his
revolver full at the place judged my
beating heart to be. he remarked:
you'll come with Mr.. Brown and me.
and smile all the way. or well give
you something as an excuse for not
smiling"
At once my momentary fright left me.
The mans buster angered me. / had
not yet learned what a horrible thing
fear might be.
Come. my men, this won't do. We're
not going anywhere with you. You just
pocket your guns and your threats and
get out of here" said /.
Doyle cooked his gun and ammo lnced
that he would count three, and then
he'd shoot me right through the heart.
'One--two-' he counted. slowly and
Srimly. / was not In the least frigh.an-
ed. There seemed nothing at all terri
flying about the prospects OF being shot.
I felt an intense calmness that sur
prises me now when I think about il.
Suddenly Brown. turned Mrs. hanson
over to Doyle with the announcement
that I was pretty game. but that he'd
afraid of-he knew how TO manage
women!
/ smiled very calmly--I had not yet
learned what horrible thing fear
may be.
said Brown. He fingered on the last
word with a certain grim suggestive.
ness which made me shudder. But
covered the shudder with smile.
NO afraid. Ell? Well. we'll see"
From one OF his pockets the man pull
ed out a large-mouthed bottle. which
my brain mechanically registered must
hold about four ounces-of something
Very carefully he uncorked 1t.
Slowly and with infinite, caution he
spilled a drop or two of the liquid on
the wooden center table.
As the first drop fell to the vanished
surfase a pun OF smoke rose. A second
followed 1t. and I saw there were two
tiny holes burned in the table.
the bottle poised as IL to throw 1t full In
my face.
The Terrible Threat.
I'VE won't shoot you, my beauty. but
we'll spoil your face" said he.
Every word fell grim and measured
and slow. What I had seen carried
conviction and utter horror to my mind
I found myself afraid! or all the
momentary experiences which life can
bring 1 think there Is none more terrible
than abject. numbing. overwhelming
fear.
you'll come with us7" asked the
man.
We acauioseed. Brown wrapped the
bottle in a piece Of paper open at the
top. lie took II IN one hand and
clutched my arm with the other Then
he led me out with casual air or chat
ting gayly. as II we were OFT making
holiday with his sweetheart,
That trip back over, the dusty, wind
ing road was horrible. And all tho
while there was that terrible fear in my
heart! '.~
And then rescue came into view-came
and passed!
Around the corner came Jimmy Bar
ton-smiling. cheerful, wholesome jim
my. lie would save me. But Brown
saw him as soon as did, and he NUT
tered with an accompanying gesture OF
the hand which held the bottle: =
This guy acts like he knew you.
Chase him away Or
I knew all too well what that "or''
meant And when Jimmy came toward
me with the. usual Jimmy friendliness
and demanded an introduction to the rest
OF the party told him quietly that
was on nr,vate business,
Stumbling Jimmy Gould not have beer
pleasant under any circumstances, bu
under these circumstances, when Jimmy
looked Hike tho rescuing party arrfvinl
IN time to save the heroine from beinI
burned at the stake--lindar these cir
cumstahces, II was torture
Mr. Barton was amazed. He argued
He gesticulated. He went through
whole pantomime Of expression to Civ,
weight TO tho words that was prett!
snippy to an old friend. ~ ,-
which was more terrifyinR even thar
his habitual expression Of fIfiy cruelty
There was no hope for d now. The,
Id "a into tina 1oOrwar fy-o%6tl