Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-08-22


Now that Appleton haf time to col
lcct himself, he, too, grew sick with
suspense. for he knew that arms had
been stacked inside the barricades.
Any instant might bring them into
play. He began to wonder why Denny
withheld the word to fire.
AS Il matter of fact, the explanation
was simple, although it did not appear
until later. Mr. Denny at that mo-
ment was in no condition to issue Or
ders of any kind. the reason being as
follows: When preparations for the
advance were made DR.. Gray. who un-
derstood perhaps more fully than any
one else except O'Neil the gravity Of
the issue and the slender pivot upon
which the outcome balanced, had TAX
Ell his place in the vanguard of the at
tacking party instead of in the back
ground, as befitted his calling. The
first rush had carried him well into
the fray, but once there he had shown
his good Judgment by refusing to par.
ticipate in 1t.
Instead he had selected Denny out of
the opposing ranks and bored through
the crowd in his direction. needless Of
all efforts to stop him. His great
strength had enabled him to gain
ground He had hurled his assailants
aside, upsctting them, bursting through
the press as a football player pene-
trates line, and when the retreat had
begun he was close at the heels Of his
victim. He had oyertaken Denny be-
side one Of the barricades just rs
Denny seized rife and raised 1t.
With one wrench he possessed him
self Of the weapon, and the next In
slant he had bent the barrel over Its
owners head.
Then as the fight surged onward he
had gathered the limp figure in his
arms and borne it into the light Of a
gasoline torch. where he could admin
lister first aid. He was kneeling over
the fellow when Appleton found him
as lie came stumbling along the grade.
But the decisive moment had come
and gone now, and without leader to
loath to adopt more bloody reprisal
They gave way therefore in half
hearted hesitation that spelled ruin to
their cause. They We're forced back to
their encampment.
Dan Appleton. very dirty, very tired.
but happy, found Natalie and Eliza
awaiting him when he limped up to
their tent in the early morning light
One of his eyes was black and nearly
closed, his lips We're cut and swollen.
but lie grinned cheerfully as he ex.
claimed:
Say! 1t was great night, wasn't
it?"
Eliza cried out in alarm at his ap-
pearance.
y ,fHouspqor kid. Hpu're sight.Yd She
ran for hot water and soap, while Ma.
talie said warmly:
You were perfectly splendid, Dan.
knew you'd do it,"
did you:" He tried to smile his
appreciation, but the effort resulted in
leer so repulsive that the girl looked
disnayed. you ought to have seen
the shindy."
Seen it! Maybe We didn't!"
Honestly"
did you think we could stay be-
hind? We sneaked along with the
cookhouse gang, and one of them help
ed us up on the gravel cars. He smell
ed of dishwater. but he was hero.
We screamed and cried and Eliza
threw stones until Mr.. O'Neil discover
ed us and made us get down. He was
awfully mean"
Hes a mean man."
HE isn't! He was jumping around
on one leg like crippled grasshopper."
II made thousand dollars" said
Dan. Guess what I'm going to do
with it?'
How can l guess"
I'm going to buy an engagement
ring" Once more he leered repul-
sively.
"How nicer said Natalie coolly.
Congratulations
Guess who it's for?"
Il couldn't, really"
Its for you"
"Oh, no, it isn't" Natalie's voice
was freezing. "You have made a mis-
take, very great mistake, Dan. like
you, but-we won't even mention such
things, if you please"
EliZa's entrance saved her further
embarrassment and she quickly made
her escape. Dan groaned so deeply as
his sister bathed his injuries that she
was really concerned.
Goodness, Danny" she said. "Are
you as badly hurt as all that:"
I'm worse" he confessed. 1--WE
just been shot through the heart. Slow
music and flowers for me! Arrange for
the services and put rose in my hand.
SIS"
Nonsense! III put a beefsteak on
your eye" she told him unfeelingly.
Under DR.. Gray's attention O'Neils
ankle began to mend, and by the time
the track had been laid far enough be-
yond the crossing to insure against
further interference from Gordon he
declared himself ready to complete the
journey to Kyak, which he and the
girls had begun three weeks before.
During the interval Eliza had occu-
pied herself in laying ont her maya
zine stories, and now she was eager
to complete her investigations SO as