The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-10-17
EPISODE 13.
THE RIVER OF DREAD.

Morgan and the Spider having sus-
pended the box of INT from limb
above the car tracks of the electric
road, so arranged the small rope sus-
tanning it that when the car bearing
John and Ethel passed the spot the
wheels would sever the line, thus let
ting the explosive fall upon the car.
This done, they drove to the top of a
nearby hill, from whose crest they
could gloat over the destruction of
those who stood between them and
their evil designs.
Being behind time the car approach
ed the trap at terrific pace. John
and Ethel. who were standing upon
the front platform, saw the rope lying
across the way and suspecting that
some danger was connected with it,
called upon the motorman to stop. 1t
was too late to do this, however, and
seeing that the car must cross the
rope John did not hesitate. Selling
the girl in his arms he leaped from
the platform, by great good luck land
ing upon pile of fresh dirt which
had been thrown up by some wOkmcn
who were making an excavation near
by. Scarcely had they stopped rolling
over and over when the explosion oc-
CURED just in the rear of the speed
ing car, throwing it on end and crush
ing it like an eggshell.
Arising from where they had been
rolled by their impetus, the man and
woman approached the ruined car.
John, getting on his hands and knees,
peered beneath the ruin, then arose
with grave face.
1.-THE nQtorman is dead-crushed to
jelly" he announced. The girl shud-
dered.
''It is horriblel We escaped by n
miracle"
ut certainly was close call for u.s.
However, we can do nothing here.
will notify the company as soon MS we
reach the inn. Come"
Being overtaken by n wagon short
distance on they requested to be taken
aboard, and a moment later found
themselves occupying seat beside the
driver, vino obiisingly took them to
the inn.
Morgan and the Spider from their
coign of vantage upon the crest Of the
hill watched the blowing up of the
car with absorbed interest. As the
sntire framework arose in the air and
then fell with resounding crash, the
Hawk clapped his companion upon the
hack jubilantly.
They're done for this time, bad
luck to them" he cried. But the Spider
had become pessimistic through many
failures.
I'm from Missouri" he returned.
'Just wait until the smoke has blown
away before you begin to crow" A
moment later through the clearing air
they saw John and Ethel hurrying to-
ward the wreck.
Told you So" laughed the Spider
sarcastically. Morgan swore loud and
long.
"All we can do is go back to the
hotel and walt for them,' he an
nounced as his first rage began to cool.
He gave the wheel twist and once
more they were upon their way.
Rainface, left in the closet bound
and gagged, stayed neither long. First
finding a nail that protruded from the
wall, he sawed the bonds which held
his wrists against 1t until the thin
rope parted, then quickly unfnstened
his ankles. The fact that the closet
door was locked gave him small con-
cern. Placing his back against 1t and
his feet against the opposite wall. he
gave it shove which popped 1t open
as though 1t had been cigar box.
Crossing the outer room he took his re-
volver from its place on the table,
where It had been left by the ones
who had made him prisoner, and buc-
kled 1t on. Feeling sure, as he did,
that Morgan and Bellas were the ones
who were causing the series OF acci-
dents, and discouraged at his inability
to convince Davis of the fact, ne oe-
cided to say no more, but rather TO
constitute himself "a silent ana ever
watchful guard over the pair. AS ne
left the inn he caught glimpse or
Morgan and the Spider coming up the
road In small car, whereup0n ne ma
himself in the wayside brush anu
watched them pass. Shortly later
while he was still lying In his retreat
and waiting for something to happen
John and Ethel rode up to the Inn IN
xha wagon, dismounted and also en-
tered. Expecting new deviltry 10
Break forth any moment now that the
fSur were agair under the same roof,
he Indian aroSs and sneaking back to