Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-09-18

having been hung, Ethel retired to bel
compartment and John stretched him
self upon the floor at the other side OF
the screen. True to his word, Morgan
threw himself at length on the plat
form just outside the window.
Awaiting only until he was assured
by the deep breathing from within
that the pair were asleep. the Hawk
silently arose. The Spider was await.
ing him beneath a tree, with the eight
scound-els whom he had engaged az
miners grouped around him. As the
arch-conspirator came up. Bellas
greeted him.
How is everything inside7" he
asked. Morgan chuckled.
1.-The lovers are sound asleep, one on
n side Of the blanket and the other
on the other. dreaming Of each other.
doubtless" The Spider laughed bru-
tally.
We'll, Wen give them their chance
TO cling to each other. Being tender.
hearted, we will not part them on
earth, but will send them to Paradise
locked in each others arms"
Come on then" whispered his COM
panlon. Treading with the utmost
care, and keeping In the deepest shad-
ows, the pair soon reached the tiny
uffair within which the unconscious
ones were peacefully sleeping.
First approaching the door. they In
serted a peg above the latch In such
manner that the latter could not be
lifted from the inside. Having thus
made sure that the intended victims
could not make their escape in this
direction, they crept as sOft-footedly as
foxes to the side Of the shack which
contained the window. Producing a
piece OF wire from his pocket, Morgan
fastened the frame down beyond a
possibility Of it being raised, then,
closing the shutters. fastened them In
the same way. With their prey now
cooped up in a tight box from which
it would take considerable time to es-
cape. ven under the most favorable
auspices, the two blacklegs nee more
returned to their impatiently waiting
companions beneath the trees.
Everything Is all ready, boys, 80
now let's get busy" he said. Silently
they repaired to a small clump Of trees
nearby, where the Spider had pre-
viously cut two stout and long poles.
Bearing these upon their shoulders,
they sneaked upon the hut. running q
pole under each end Of II beneath the
floor and the ground. The poles rel
Of such length that they protruded for
several feet beyond the sides Of the
building.
Everything being in readiness, at q
signal from the Spider the eight men
bent their backs and slowly but surely
raised the light edilce from its foun-
datlons. Bearing 1t a good deal as
East Indian coolies carry a palanQuin,
they slowly worked their way toward
the rushing river close at hand.
Despite the slowness and infinite
care with which the bearers Of the
shack stepped, the tipping and sway.
ing Of the affair quickly awakened
those within. Ethel. finding herself
rolling acros the floor, and greatly
alarmed by the slant of the building,
cried out in alright, while John. at the
same instant landing with a bump
against the wall. opened his eyes.
Warned by the cry Of the girl that
their victims were aroused and that
further caution was unnecessary, the
eight bearers quickened their pace.
Immediately the swaying Of the hut
became more violent.
%Scrambling to her feet, with much
difficulty Ethel found John and chung
to him.
"Oh, what Is itT she cried. ut can.
not be an earthquake, and yet" As
puzzled as she, the man worked his
way to the door and tried the latch.
Locked! Trapped" he exclaimed.
as the horror Of the situation gradual
ly stole over his brain. Releasing him
self from the clutch Of the girl. he
found his way to the window and be.
gan tearing at 1t with his fingers. But
the work of the would-be murderers
had been done all too we'll and. despite
his strength. he found himself unable
to make an impression upon 1t. Sud-
denly another cry arose from the
frightened girl.
"The water! 1t is coming In through
the floor" Bending, John placed his
hand upon the boards upon which they
stood. Through every crack the river
was spouting thin volumes into the
closed room.
Rendered desperate by the thought
that they were to be drowned like
Gagged rats. the man again sought the
window. Kicking. striking and shOv-
ing with his shoulder, he at last
wrenched a board from place and.
thrusting his head out. surveyed the
scene. They were swinging wildly
down the maddened stream. swirling
in its eddies, fitting with the increased
influx Of water; sinking at a rate
which must Don flood the low Dom In
which they stood. Already death was
grinning at them through the night.
1--WE are in the river, Ethel! !" he
cried.
Back ON the bank. Morgan waved
his hand at the rapidly disappearing