Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-03

behind her, Ethel turned upon the in
slant to see Davis pitching forward
out of his chair and falling hands out
stretched upon the floor. With IL cry
she brushed by Morgan and ran to-
ward the PROSTATE and unconscious
man, the Hawk close following on her
heels. Together they lifted John up.
Across the side of his head was the
track Of a bullet where it had plowed
its way, grazing his temple and stun
ming him. Owing to the fact that the
injured man had turned his head to
look at me pair just at the instant
that the shot was fired, the bullet
merely had missed his brain. Paus-
ing only long enough to see that his
plot had again failed, the Hawk left
his wOuld-be victim to the ministra-
tons Of the girl and hurrying TO the
cellar removed the pistol, concealed
the line and went back to meet Rain
face and Bridget Wegan.
ut was another dastardly attempt
on his life by the mysterious stran-
ger" explained Morgan with an as
sumption of great Indignation. Point
them that the shot had come through
it, and turned to Davis.
1.-Two attempts on your life and n
on mine" he said. 1--WE cannot let
this thing go on. Suppose we 90 and
search the vicinity"
He must have a cup of tea first
to brace him up after this" insisted
the kindly hearted Irish woman, and
Morgan agreed.
Leaving John for his cup Of re-
freshing brew the Hawk approached
the barn. AS he did so Il man came
sliding down the hillside, bringing up
ut his feet in a cloud of SNOW. In
stantly Morgan whipped out his pis-
tol, but in the act of firing stayed his
finger as he saw who the newcomer
was.
Spider Bellas." he exclaimed as
he replaced the weapon. "You made
good time in coming" The Spider
%grinned.
"Yes, | got yer telegram. could
have come up with the Indian and the
Biddy, but ! thought I'd better take a
OF the mountain. Well. now I'm here,
and what do you want of me?"
Quickly Morgan explained his plan,
ending by saying:
"As soon as Davis gets across,
show yourself and lead him on. Don't
let him catch you. Just give me time
to fix the thing up then make a circle
and meet me here tonight. Get me?"
With a nod the Spider turned and
went up the canyon. Providing him
self with snowshoes and a small
shovel and saw which he concealed
beneath his coat. Morgan met Davis
at the door. He addressed the other.
Suppose we keep together until we
haze crossed the gap, then I'll take
the ridge while you 60 up the valley.
We must time ourselves SO as to get
back before dark"
"All right" assented Davis, and
I side by side they started off.
Along the m%ountainside they went
until they reached a ravine which was
of considerable depth save at one
point where an overhanging shoulder
Of the rock met n somewhat similar
jut on the other side. At this point
The gap was narrowed to a distance
which could be bridged by a fallen
tree. and in fact as they arrived upon
its edge they saw that a PROSTATE
pine, of a size that would easily bear
the weight of a man, traverSed it from
edge to edge. They paused before it,
scanning it with care.
at will take us over easily enough"
laughed the Hawk. However, you
had better let me 20 ahead so II any
thing should happen it would be me
instead of you that took the tumble"
mighty decent Of you, Morgan, but
I don't want anybody to take any risk
on my account" returned Davis. But
pushing the other good-naturedly
aside the plotter mounted the trunk
and balancing himself with his arms,
crossed in safety. John followed him
with equal ease.
Upon the other side they separated,
Morgan going up the ridge ut the left
and John pursuing his way straight
on and keenly surveying the land
scape about. He had accomplished
but a short distance when he saw the
form of Spider Bellas standing beside
a tree, and suspicious that this might
be the unknown stranger who was
plotting against his life. JOHN drew
his gun and ordered him to throw up
his hands. But darling behind the
tree like a weasel the Spider darted
away, with John in hot pursuit.
Barely waiting until John was out
Of sight the Hawk returned to the
tree. Hastily drawing hts small shovel
and saw from their places of conceal-
ment he fell to work upon a plan that
promised to forever rid the world Of
the rival whom he hated with all his
rats soul. For ten minutes he worked
with desperate energy, then with his
task finished to his satisfaction he
covered all traces of his efforts with
snow and taking his place behind a
tree sat down to watch the end of the
man whose existence bid fair to
thwart his evil designs.
Darling amongst the trees with sur
prising swiftness of foot. the Spider
was upon the point of eluding the pur-
suing Davis when he stumbled and
fell headlong. Close before him was
a rift deep and steep, and in the very
act of being precipitated down II
where he would have fallen a manCled
corpse almost ut the foot of his wait.