The Holly chieftain., 1916-01-28

learned you are here alone. ana unpfV
tected, and in this creature OF his
this canting preacher-he has fouLd
ht tool ready at hand to do his dirty
work. Is that 1t. Nichols?"
He muttered something inaudible.
Answer, you black-hearted cur: you
have confessed too much to hide any
thing now. How many are coming
with Anse Cowan?"
Maybe q half dozen of the boys.
don't know; they were talking about
1t when l left. and thought 1t was 60
ing to be a great lark"
well, 1t is; you are finding that out
already. When were they to be here!"
shook him to loosen his tagging
tongue.
"They were to ride out an hour after
! did"
l threw the wretch back into the
chair before the fire. but held him still
covering before the point Of my re-
.volver. The dog had told US all he
knew. and there was snarl to his
thin lips. drawn back and exposing his
yellow teeth, showing that his only
thought now was revenge. Any mo-
ment that gang of ruffians might ap-
pear, and was helpless there alone to
contend against them. dared not
move, dared not avert my gaze from
the preacher; there was hatred and
treachery in the depths of his eyes.
"Is there q lock ON the parlor door
leading into the hall?" asked.
"A bolt-yes."
please close and bolt 1t. and then
come back here"
l heard her turn and cross the room;
/ caught the sound as she shot the bolt,
and her light step again on the floor.
Nov, something to tie this man
with. We must be quick-the table
cloth will do! Sweep that clutter Of
dishes on to the floor. Good! Now
cut me the cord from that picture"
had no thought of glancing about;
can scarcely conceive even now that
did. yet my eyes must have wan
dered an instant, for Nichols had the
wrist Of my pistol hand in his grip.
and the revolver went spinning across
the floor. There was moment OF
fierce, breathless struggle. The fellow
possessed no skill, but the wiry
strength Of tiger. found his eyes
with my fist. and dazed. his hands re-
leased their grip, and l broke loose.
my throat livid from his finger marks.
The flap of gray skirt touched my
face. and blow fell-the man went
limp under me. his head upheld by the
angle of the wall. struggled to my
knees, still staring at him, uncertain
as to what had actually occurred,
struggling for breath. The girl stood
/. over me. white-faced, her eyes wide
open with horror. the remnant of the
teapot in her hand. Suddenly her
, hands covered her eyes. the fragment
OF crockery falling noisily to the floor.
IL struck him." she sobbed. un.
nerved. I'll have killed him!"
mo such good luck" answered,
recovering myself. and grasping her
hands. SO that l could look into her
! eyes. "The man is not dead-only
stunned by the blow. He will be con.
scious in minute. Do not become
frightened; you did right. and we have
no time to lose. You have horse
somewhere?"
She hesitated, her hands still held
in mine unconsciously.
"You-you mean l am to ride for
Lewisburg you?"
"Oh, must do the best l can on
foot Well keep together as long as
possible. Go, and hurry. Get a wrap,
and your revolver"
She slipped out of the room, and up
the stairs, her light steps making no
sound on the soft carpet. l bent over
Nichols. and as l touched him he
stirred, and opened his eyes, STARING
up into my face
Don't hit mel" he whined. "I'm no
friend Of Anse Cowan."
$50 you've had enough! Then take
orders from me-
gathered in the picture cord the
girl had dropped on the floor. His
wrists were big and knotted, and ]
drew the cord tight enough to make
the fellow vince, despite his groans
and pretense at severe suffering.
| 60 up the stairs" commanded
sternly, "and keep close to the wall
oh, you can walk all right, my friend,
and advise you to do as say-you
see this gun?"
| The scowl on his face waa r,o1,.,on&