Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-08-06

and his hired man piling the packing
cases on the great hayrack truck, q
full load for Mayville. Then the hired
man went to his home nearer the viii
lage to get his supper and have a
lunch put up to last him through his
long trip.
Suddenly Nance bent her ear and
listened. A scraping sound echoed
from overhead. She thrilled as 1t was
followed by a distinct groan. Her
heart stood in her mouth as she took
up lamp and went up the loft stairs.
A quick suspicion had come into her
mind. 1t was verified as, seated upon
the floor, she made out Knowlton-
"Oh, I am SO glad" she cried spon-
taneously, and then flushed with con-
fusion. II mean, that you have e.
capped those cruel men,"
Knowlton was pale, one limb was
bandaged from the knee down, but
he smiled with swift appreciation of
the kindness of that gentle nature.
81 was Just trying to find something
that would do for a crutch," he ex-
planned 81 feared l might compro-
mise your father by remaining here,
where | stole in early this morning.
| must get to Mayville and get some Of
the buckshot picked out of my limb.
My wounds are not serious, but l cam
not stand on the foot unsupported"
Eyes, you must get away, and must
help you" spoke his practical little
friend, meditatingly. "Oh, I have It'll"
First to see that the bandages wers
in place, then food and water, and
then, Nance supporting him, he was
helped down the back stairs to the
truck, the cover of a rear-most box
removed, and within he ensconced him
self.
you are an angel of mercy" he said
feelingly, as he kissed the fair hand
that had succored him. Nance set the
cover lightly on the box, securing only
two nails.
Inside of three hours you will be
within the safety zone" she spoke. In
eight at Mayville. 1 am so gladw
She returned to her room, but only
TO watch and wait until the hired man
returned. In the distance she caught
the echo of some ribald crew In the
town engaged in drunken frolic, and
shuddered She heard the truck
wheels CRATE over the stony road lead
ing to the river ford. Insensibly she
drifted into slumber, her head on the
window SILL to start up wildly an
hour later as the voice Of the hired
man came up to her from the yard
below.
He had two horses, wagonless, and
he was shouting excitedly for her ia
Their, who came hurrying out to him.
whats the trouble? Where's the
wagon?" cried Duryea sharply.
Burned up, boxes, truck and all.
met Blair and his crowd, roaring drunk.
They tipped over the wagon, set the
boxes on fire, and are now dancing
about the ashes like fiends and boast.
ing that they have taught you les
son for siding with that stranger,
Knowlton, who escaped them"
With wall of terror unutterable
Nance Duryea sank to the floor sense
less. She was like some crushed flow
err when she came downstairs the next
morning. Amid his troubles her ia
Their failed to notice the haunting ter
ror in her face. She was too stricken
and anguished to tell him of the fate
OF the man she had befrlended.
you're to get ready to have the
hired man take you to Mayville at
once" her father told her. II shall
follow. It's getting too hot to hold M
down here"
She was like one in a dreadful
trance all the way to Mayville. Hei
aunt noticed the cloud that hung ovei
frame and spirit like a pail. Nance
for several days was confined to heI
room under the care of a physician
She came downstairs weak and at
tenuated. The horror of that night al
home, II seemed, would never leave
her.
She was reclining at an open win
dow, in an invalid chair, one day, wher
a man, aided by a crutch, passed alonl
the street. II was he
"Oh, it cannot ber' she cried. "Mr
Knowlton oh. come into this house.
"Just out OF the hospital" Der
hnOWltOn tOld Nance, anu DenI OF
| going back to Crofton to thank you, Il
fifty Killers stood In the way.
But you were burned up"
{ "Quite the reverse, I was neari,
I drowned" said Knowlton. "The DO,
/ l was in fell off the load as the Wagon
crossed the ford. ] fioated for fiv'
miles. managed to get ashore, and
But you have been HIP
: She burst into tears Of relief ant
gladness, and and then her story, ant
then
> In the tender eyes of the lonely CIR
! beside him, Bert Knowlton read I
: token Of love that assured him tina
? that there was no shadow of anothe
D parting.