Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-11-28

loose from about his arms, but as In
stantly closing again around his lower
body. He strained, but failed to break
my grasp, and I should have hurled
him over the hip, but at that second
Gaskins struck me, and went tum-
bling down, with the saloonkeeper
falling fiat on top Of me. his pudgy
fingers still clawing nercely at my
throat. It seemed as though conscious
ness left my brain, crushed into death
by those gripping hands. and set the
spark Of life remained, for heard the
ex-preacher utter a yelp. which ended
In a moan, as blow struck him; then
Rale was jerked or me, and sObbing-
ly caught my breath, my throat free.
Into my dszed mind there echoed the
sound of a voice.
lis thet 'nough, Jackf-then holler.
D. yer, yer try thet again, an I'll
spill whut brains yet got all over this
kintry. Yes, it's Tim Kennedy talkin'.
an he's talkin' ter ye. Now yer lie
whar yer are. Yer amt killed, be ye.
Knoxr"
managed to lift myself out Of the
dirt, still clutching for breath but with
my mind clearing.
"No; guess I'm all right, Tim,"
said, painting out the words with an ef-
fort. whats become of Kirby? Don't
let him get away"
II amt likely to. He's lyin' right
whar yer dropped him. Holy smoke |
sounded ter me like We hit him with
pole-ax. got his gun, an thet's
whut's maxim this skunk hold so blame
still-oh, yes, / will, Jack Rale; I'm
just achin' fer ter let ye hav' It."
"And the other fellow? He hit me-"
my OIL frien,' Gaskins; thet's him.
all right" The deputy gave vent to a
short, mirthless laugh. "Oh, raped
him with the butt; had ter do 1t. He'd
got hold ov club somwhar, an wus
goin' ter give yer another. 1t will be a
while, I reckon, fore he takes much
interest. Whatrn do with this red
headed gink7"
succeeded In reaching my feet, and
stood there a moment, gaining what
view I could through the dark
ness. The short struggle, desperate
as 1t had been, was not noisy one.
and could hear nothing about us to
indicate any alarm. Kennedy had one
hard knee pressed into Rale's abdomen
and the star-rays reflected back the
steel glimmer of the pistol held threat
eningly before the mans eyes. The
horses beyond stood motionless, and
the two women in the saddles appeared
like silent shadows. / stood up once
more. peering through the darkness
and listening. Whatever was to be
done I must decide, and quickly.
Have Rale stand up, but keep him
covered. Don't give him any chance
to break away; now wait-there is a
lariat rope hanging to this saddle; I'll
get It,"
1t was a strong cord and Of good
length, and we proceeded to bind the
fellow securely In spite of his objec-
tions, / taking charge of the pistol,
while Tim, who was more expert, did
the Job in workmanlfke manner.
Now gag him, Tim" said quietly.
"Yes. use the neckerchief. That will
do; all we can hope for is a few hours
start"
"Is Kirby dead?"
SIN afraid not, but he has got an
ugly bump and lost some blood his
head struck rock when he fell. It
will be while, imagine, before he
wakes up. How about your manw
He crossed over and bent down
above the fellow, feeling with his
hands In the darkness.
II reckon he's a goner. cap" he ad-
mitted. as though surprised. Gosh,
must'r hit the cuss harder than I
thought-fair caved in his he'd, the
pore devil. 1 reckon it's no great loss
ter nobody"
'But are you sure he is dead? That
will put a different aspect on all this,
Kennedy" I exclaimed gravely, facing
him as he arose to his feet. "That and
the belief now have that Kirby has
already consummated his plan of mar
riage with Miss Beaucaire."
"You mean he has"
"Yes, that he has forced the girl
to assent to some form of ceremony,
probably legal In this country. 1 over
heard enough between him and Rale to
suspect 1t, at least, and she is even
now under the influence of some drug.
She hasn't spoken, nor does she seem
to know what is going on about her.
They strapped her into the saddle"
"The h. they did"
| "It has been a hellish affair all the
way through, and the only way I'm
which l can serve her, If this is SO. is
by getting her away-as far away as
possible. and where this devil can
never find her again. What bothers
me right now is your case"
Miner Lord, what's the matter with
meT
Considerable. l should say. You
can't be left here alone to face the re.
suit OF this nights work. If Gaskins
Is dead from the blow you struck him
these two fellows will sweap your ufe
away just for revenge. Even II vor
told the whole story. what chance
| SOe AnhL WOulO ONLY QY.
pose us, and still fail to clear you. T,
would merely be your word agains,
theirs-you would have no witnesses
unless we were caught"
II reckon thet's true; I vesn,
thinkin' bout IT,"
Then there is only the one roa,
to take. Tim," insisted. We've got
to strike the trail together"
"Whar7"
Il cannot answer that now haven
thought 1t out yet. We can talk that
matter over as we ride. I have a mar
with me. which will help us decide tn,
best course to choose. The first tbins
is to get out of this neighborhood be
yond pursuit. If you only had a horse.
That's two critters down In tb.
crick bottom. 1 reckon thet Kirby an
Gaskins must'r tied 'em thar"
Good; then you will go; you agre,
with met"
THAR amt nuthin' else fer me fer a,
-hangin' amt never bin no hobby q
mine."