The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-08-18

than match for the thugs, unskilled
as they were In the science OF self
defense, and when he got them, one
by one, between himself and the open
door leading to the cellar, he skillful
ly sent them flying down the stairs.
Lund, followed by Peg, pursued the
thugs into the cellar. Giving no heed
to the presence Of the lions, and blind
ly forgetting the danger that their
presence engendered Lund and PEG
made good their advantage.
The struggle in the cellar was brief
for the cowardly thugs were no
match for the expert young Lund The
| open trap door gave Lund an idea,
and directing his punches to a given
purpose, he knocked the two thugs
flying into the opening.
| Lund lodged under the stairs and
swung the lever that he had seen
| Chockro reach for only short while
before, when the floor had sunk be-
meath Lund's feet. The door closed
with thump
Lund dashed for the foot Of the
stairs, where Peg was breathlessly
awaiting him. They stopped for an in
slant to look toward the corner where
the lions had been crouching. There
was not an animal in sight. Save for
the presence on the stairway of Lund
and Peg, the cellar was deserted
Too amazed to speak for the in
slant, Lund hastily helped Peg up the
stairs, and they passed out OF the
building. The bright sunshine daz-
zled their eyes, but it's warm rays
were comforting to young Lund. whose
wet clothes chung uncomfortably to
his body
They made their way to a pile OF
old planks, where the sun might shine
full upon them. Young Lund, mo-
mentarily overcome by the exhaust
ing efforts he had lately put forth,
dropped full length upon the ground
Peg sank down beside him, utterly
overcome by the intense ordeal
through which she had passed.
They lay prone upon the ground I'M
TIL they had somewhat recovered
both their breath and their composure.
The warm sun poured down upon
them and the pleasant summer breeze
famed their brows.
Finally rising, Lund helped Peg to
seat upon the planks and folded her
In fond embrace They sat there for
long time, enjoying the peaceful
happiness of their strange situation.
How wonderful it is that we are
alive, to enjoy these blissful mo-
ments," said Peg, as she nestled her
head upon young Lund's shoulder.
well, we have indeed gone through
more than l had ever dreamed we
would have to-" was Lunds reply.
There is some mystery about all this
that / haven't time, as yet, to think
about. But I'll clear 1t all up. in good
time, you may be sure of that"
Young Lund considered it best to
keep secret from Peg the knowledge
of his parents opposition to his pur-
pose to make her his wife. Indeed. he
had not been given an opportunity to
have much conversation with her on
any topic, so swiftly had events moved
since the night of the garden party.
But Lund was satisfied in his own
mind that the opposition, taking the
strange and rigorous form that it had,
came from his parents-but whether
from his father or mother, he could
not, for the life of him, figure out.
He decided, at all events, to dwell
as little as possible upon their diff
culties, during the time he should
spend that day with Peg. He was
more and more perplexed because of
the girls strange affection, and was
determined to find out all he could.
from Peg, about the nature of her at
tacks.
Just at present, however, there was
the immediate necessity of returning
Peg to the show. She worried about
her absence, and pitied Flip, who
would be sorely distressed.
MY poor old daddy will be half
crazed until | return to the show"
she said How am | ever going to
get back. I'm strange sight in these
riding toys, and you don't look much
like dude yourself"
Their ridiculous appearance Inn
pressed young L,und for the first time,
and he laughed outright. And, great
ly distressed as she was, Peg could
not resist the impulse to join In
Lund's merry mood.
While they sat there In the warm
sunshine, wondering how they should
arrive at way out of their predica-
ment, they suddenly heard the noise
made by an automobile as it came to-
ward them down the road.
well, thank the Lord, there's civili-
cation somewhere. We are on a main
travelled road, and there's a little COM
fort in knowing that" said Lund mer-
rily. The good laugh they had en-
joyed put them both in a hopeful hui
NOR, and the buoyancy of their youth
soon possessed them.
The automobile in moment
whizzed past them. "The next man
who comes this way with a buzz wag-
d.