The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-10-21
CHAPTER XII.
The Crueibie


CHAPTER XII.
The crueible
Only Miss Brewster herself could
have answered the question OF hei
whereabouts AT the exact moment
OF Van Lewis asking. She was left
behind, standing aghast in the
midst Of tumults. on the platform
OF the Crows Nest Terrified al
the sudden outburst Of violence. she
had ventured from the car TO looi
for Ldgerwood. and In the moment
OF frightened bewIlderment the
Nadia had been whisked away.
Naturally. her first Impulse wal
10 fly. and the only refuge that OF
fercd was the superintendent
office on the second floor. The
stairway door was only = little dis
lance down the platform. and she
was presently cropping her way al
the stairs.
The light OF tho sheppard fire
shone redly thru the upper corrido'
windows. enabling her TO 70 di
rectiy 10 tho open door Of the su
pcrintcndents office. But wher
shc reached the door and looked
within. terror held her spellbound
speechlcss. unable TO move or ever
10 CRY out.
Two masked men were cover.nl
with revoivers . third. who wal
tied helpless Ia q chair. The cap
tive's face was CHASTITY and blood
stained. lie seemed 10 be tryins
to speak. but the ruffian at hi.
right would no; give him leave
This Is where you pass out. Mr.
Underwood" the man was saying
overwhelmingly. You give us you
word that you win resign and leave
the Red Butte Western for keeps
or you'll sit In that chair TIL some
body comes to take you out AND
bury you"
The answer came jerkily. "whsi
would my word. cxtortod--undcl
such conditIons--be worth TO your
Eleanor could hear. In spite o!
the terror that would not let hel
cry out or run for help. He was
yielding 10 them, bargaining for his
life,
Wen take H." said the spokes
man coolly. IL you break faith
with us there are more than two
OF US who win sec 10 IL that yot
don't live long enough TO bras
about H. You've had your day. And
you've got TO 60
And II refused" Eleanor mad,
sure that the voice was steadioi
now.
'Jts thls. here and now" grated
the taller man who had hitherto
kept silence. and he cooked his re
volyer and damned the muxzle o.
Il against the bleeding temple oil
the man In the chair.
The captive Strengthened him
self ms well as his bonds would lei
him.
"You-you've let the psycholog
ich moment 20 by. gentlemen: l.
I've got my second wind. You may
burn and destroy and shoot as yor
please. but while I'm alive I'll stay
With you. Blaze away, II that's
What you want TO do"
The horror-stricken watcher a,
he door covered her face with heI
hands to shut out the sight OF the
murder. IL was not until Lidger
woods voice. calm and eyen.toned
and haunting. broke the silence
hat she yentured TO look again.
Well, gentlemen, I'm waiting
Why don't you shoot? You are
greater towards than | have ever
been, with all my shiverings and
teeth-chattorings. Isn't the stake
big enough to warrant your last
desperate play? I'll make II big
ger. You are the two men who
broke the rail-joint ut Silver Switch
Alb. that nits you, doesn't IT."
Shut up" growled the tall man
with frightful imprecation. But
the smaller OF the two was silent
Lidgerwood's grin was CHASTITY.
You curs!" he scoffed. you
haven't even the courage OF youY
own necessities! Why don't YOU
pluck up the nerve TO shoot. and
be done with it, I'll make Il still
more binding upon you: II you
don't Kill me now, while you have
the chance. as God Is my witness
I'll hang you both for those muir
ders last night at Silver Switch. !
know you, In spite of your flimsy
disguise; ] can call you both BY
name!"
Out In the yard the yelllngs and
shoutings had taken on n new note
and the windows OF the upper room
were Earring with the thunder o.
incoming trains. Eleanor Brewste,
heard the new sounds vaguely; the
Jangle and clank OF the trains. tn,
quick. steady tramp OF disciplined
men. snapped.out words of com
mand. the sudden cessation OF tn,
riot clamor. and now shufflin,
OF feet on the stairway behind her
Still she could not move: still
she was speechless and spell.bound
but no longer from terror. He
cousin-her lover-how. she ha,
misjudged him! He q coward