The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-07-04
1.-THE IRON TEST"
11-"The Red Masks Prey"
Continued from last week.

Chapter 11-"The Red Masks frey"
Torn from her improvised tight
rope across the ravine by the larlat
thrown about her shoulders by Gracla,
Edith plunged headlong to what ap-
peared certain death but her circus
training again saved her life az II
by a. miracle Feeling herself fall
ing, she threw up her left hand and
caught the lariat spanning the gorge
Garcia by another tug could have
sent her to eternity but amazed at
her nerve and strength, he allowed
his own rope to sag an instant ana
like a flash the girl drew a knife and
severed the rope. Garcia fell back
ward to the ground and Edith con-
tinued her perilous journey to The
top Of the cliff.
Angered at being outWitted by the
girl. Gracia drew a pistol and raised
III to shoot but remembered Crav-
ems Injunction that she must not be
injured, although he had just nearly
encompassed her death, and putting
I'D his weapon he patched together
his lariat, hurried to the roof or the
shack and pulling himself up to
Edith's lassoos he started out after
the girl, now two thirds Of the way
across.
It was foolhardy thing for the
man to attempt for he had already
had a. good example Of the girl S
mettle and her skill at rope walking
was far better than his. Warned by
the added weight on the ropes that he
was following her, Edith redoubled
her efforts and gained the cliff before
Gracia was half way across. Again
taking out her knife she shouted to
him that unless he turned back she
would cut the rope. He did not heed
her warning and without further
barley she drew her knife across
the lariat and Gracia, dangling at
the middle was dropped into the ra-
vine and dashed roughly against its
side. He maintained his hold, how
ever, and as Edith disappeared from
view began to climb swiftly upwards
swearing vengeance on Edith II he
ever again got her into his power.
Craven and Peaky. knowing that
they would be pursued without delay,
lost no time riding into the deep
woods, stopping only enough tor
Peaky to smash the handcuff from
Craven's wrist.
did you get the money from the
cash box he inquired, and when
assured it was safe added:
"Then We'll get her and beat it.
But Craven would not lis L to this
and answered vindictiV
Not before we get E1t."
Urging their horses in irec-
ton of Gracia's shack to St low
Edith Jared, they came across little
girl seated in front of her home and
stopped to get some milk for their
prisoner. AS the child handed up
the pail Craven recognized Or a
string about her neck, the ring Bert
had given her and eXcitedly demand
ed to know where she got it.
The main in the well gave it to
me-" she replied innocently and lAen
burst into tears as Craven roughly
tore it from her fingers nor did the
coin he threw her appease her anger.
Craven turned to Peaky and eX-
claimed:
That's Beresford's fathers ring.
1t will come in handy"
Edith, confident she had rid her
self of Gracia hurried through the
woods, reaching deep ravine which
blocked her progress. She sat by
spring to battle her face and rest
:, len she saw Gracia climbing down
tha mountain side toward her.
ringing u6 in terror she started
along the edge OF the ravlne, but had
not gone 100 yards when Craven rode
into view, far below but making es-
cape in that direction impossible.
Her only chance then was to get
across the ravine.
Even as she stood there hesitating,
her enemies approached until tney
saw her and redoubled their speed,
Desperate, Edith rushed to the brink
of the canyon where it was narrow
est and trees overhung almost to the
further side. She sprang into tree
and began climbing along a bough,
which bent beneath her weight.
Letting herself down and grasping
the bough in both hands she began
to swing back and forth as though
on a trapeze. Further and further
she swung until she was over a tree
protruding from the further side and
then Sh0 let 60, Crashing uEouSn It's
branches.
Craven and Gracia, who had joined
him, watched her act in amazed sill
ence and then started back and
around the canyon to learn what had
become Of her.
Meanwhile Bert, Jenkins and
ODoherty were riding hard on the
trail of Craven and Peaky. They
finally ran across the child, from
whom Bert heard the story of the
direction the outlaws took.
Edith, unscathed but for a few
scratches, climbed along the limb of
the tree and gained the further side
of the canyon only to run directly
into Peaky, who greeted her with a
malicious grin.
Fancy meeting you here, Miss