The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-30
CHAPTER XIV.
KISMET!

Words cannot paint the nauseating
horror of that moment. Fear-cold, alb
Ject, awful fear-ran through my veins
like drug; my face was clammy with
the sweat Of utter terror; my hands
clutched wildly at some drapery, which
tore from its fastenings and came down
in my grasp.
Three shafts of lights swept across
the floor, and almost at once picked up
that horrid shape. 1t was coiled, with
head raised, ready to strike, and l saw
that one side Of its hood had been shot
away.
have, more than once, referred to
Simmonds as hard headed and want
ing in imagination-not always, fear,
In terms the most respectful. For that
l ask his pardon; l shall not make that
mistake again. For, in that nerve
racking moment, he never lost his
GOODNESS. Revolver in hand he crept
cautiously forward, while we others
held our breath; then the pistol spoke.
once, twice, thrice, and the ugly head
fell forward to the floor.
At the same moment, Godfrey sprang
to the door from which volumes of
heavy, scented smoke still eddied, and
disappeared inside.
| scarcely noticed him; l was star
ing at that foul object on the floor:
and then | stared at Francisco Silva,
mOtiOness on the diVan, his eyes fixed
on the crystal sphere, undisturbeG amid
all this terror and tumult. 1t is i'm
possible for me to remember him, as
| he Vas in that moment, without ad-
nIrutOn--yes, and a little awe.
I}ul Godfrey's voice. shrill with ex-
Citement, brought me around with q
start.
"Lcster!" he shouted. Lend a hand
hei Ct
ordering what new horror lay N
int ho
room, stumbled over the body of the
Thug, Earely saved myself my scalp
lrickl!ng with terror, from falling upon
it. and pitched forward TO where Cod
frey WIS bending above that huddled
shape had glimpGed through the
smoke.
Catch hold" he PAINTED and, chok-
ing, staggering, suffol ating, we dragged
ii into the outer room. Get q window
OPEN" he gasped. Get a window
Open!"
And SimmOnds. whom nothing
seemed to shake, CROPPED along the wall
until he found a window, pulled the
Eangings back. threw up the sash. and
flung back the shutters.
Quick" said Godfrey. over there
Now hold the torch"
And as l took 1t and pressed the
button with a trembling finger. the
halo of light fell upon a bloodless face
4
Simmonds was supporting her, and
Godfrey, with frantic fingers, was loos-
ening her robe at the throat. My ter
rified eyes, staring at thai throat, half
expected to find a cruel mark there,
but its smOothness was unsullied The
robe loosened, Godfrey snatched his
cap from his head and began to fan
the fresh air in upon her.
Pray heaven 1t is not too late!" he
murmured. and kept on tanning, watch
ing the white lips and delicate nos
trils, so drawn and livid we must
try artificial respiration" he said. aft
er a moment. But not here-this at
mosphere Is sitting. Take her feet.
Lester"
We staggered out with her, some
how, across the hall, into her room
and laid her on her bed. Godfrey
kneeling above her, began to raise and
lower her arms, with a steady regular
rhythm.
open the windows wide" he COM
manded. without looking up. Wet a
towel, or something, in cold water. and
bring 1t here"
Simmonds threw open the windows
while went mechanically to the bath
room, wet a towel, and slapped 1t
against her face and neck as Godfrey
directed. The moments passed, and at
last the lips opened in Tutoring sigh,
the bosom rose with a full inhalation,
and a spot Of color crept into either
cheek.
THANK God!" said Godfrey, in a
voice that was almost a sob. Now,
Simmonds, go out and bring that Irish
girl, and send one of your men to
phone for Human.
Simmonds sent one Of his men sour
rying with a word, and himself dashed
up the stairs to the other floor. He
was back in a moment, almost drag
ging the frightened girl with him. Her
teeth were chattering and she started
to scream when she saw that still form
on the bed, but Simmonds shook her
savagely.
There's nothing to be afraid Of"
Godfrey assured her. Your mistress
isn't dead-she'll soon come around.
But you must get her undressed and to
bed. And then keep bathing her face
with cold water until the doctor comes.
Understands
"Ye-yes, sir" faltered the girl. But
obi" and a burst OF hysteriCal Sob
bling choked her.
Simmonds shook her again.
Don't be a fool, Annie CrOgan!" he
said. Get hold of YOURSELF"
Godfrey stepped off the bed and
picked up one Of the limp wrists.
Her pulse Is getting stronger" he
said, after a moment 1T will soon
hello! What's this?"
Clasped tight in the slender fingers
was something that looked like torn
and crumpled rubber glove. He tried
to unclasp the fingers, but when he
touched them, they contracted rigidly'