The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-07-04
THE IRON TEST"
CONTINUED from last week.

rope across the ravine by the lartal
thrown about her shoulders by Graeia.
Edith plunged headlong to what ap-
peared certain death but her circus
training again saved her life as II
by 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 and
like a flash the girl drew knife and
severed the rope. Garcia fell back
ward to the ground and Edith CON
tinued her perilous journey to she
top OF the cliff
Angered at being outwitted by the
girl, Gracia drew a pistol and raised
It to shoot but remembered Cray-
ems Injunction that she must not be
injured, although he had just nearly
encompassed her death, and putting
up his weapon he patched together
his lariat, hurried TO the roof of 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 a foolhardy thing for the
man to attempt for he had already
had a good example Of the girls
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 redoubied
her efforts and gained the cliff before
Gracia was half way across. Again
taking out her knife she shouted TO
hin that unless he turned back she
would cut the rope. He did not heed
her warning and without further
parley she drew her knife across
the lariat and GraCia, dangling Al
the middle was dropped into the "a
vine and dashed roughly against lis
side. He maintained his hold. hUw-
ever. and as Edith disappeared from
view began to climb swiftly upwards
swearing vengeance on Edith If he
ever again got her into his power.
Craven and Peaky knowing thai
they would be pursued without delay.
lost no time riding into the deep
woods. stopping only enough for
Peaky to smash the handcun from
craven's wrist
Did you get the money from the
cash box" he inquired, and wien
assured 1t was safe added:
Then Wen get her and beat tt
But Craven would not Lis l TO tins
and answered yindictiv
Not before we get p al
Urging their horses in ree-
ton of GraCia's shack to 81 roH
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 on 4
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 II II
me-" she replied innOCently and zen
burst into tears as Craven roughly
tore it from her fingers nor did the
coin he threw her appeaso her anger
Craven turned to Peaky and ex-
claimed
That's Beresford's fathers nng
It will come in handy"
Edith. confident she had rid her-
self of GracIa hurried through the
woods, reaching deep raYine which
blocked her progress. She sat ~ a
spring 10 battle her face and Tesl !
when she saw Gracia climbing down +
the mountain side toward her
springing up In terror she started
along the edge OF the Tavna, but had
not gone 100 yards when Craven rode
into view, far below but making eE-
lane In that direction impossible
Ter only chance then was 10 get
across The raTne.
Even ~ she stood there hestating.
her enemies approached until theF
saw her and redoubled their speed.
Desperate. Edith rushed to the brink
of the canyon where II was narrow
est and trees Overhung almost 10 the
further side. She sprang into a tree
and began climbing along a bongh.
which bent beneath her weight
Letting herself down and EraspinE
the bough in both hands she began
10 swing back and forth as though
On a trapeze. Further and further
she swung until she was over tree
protruding from the further side and
then she let go, crashing through IL
branches.
Craven and Gracia, who had Joined
him. watched her act in amazed sil-
enee and then started back and
around the canyon to learn what had
become of her.
Meanwhile Bert, Jenkins and
0Doherty 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, NJ s
paigeka 4he said won't YOU wait
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