Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-24

The Next instant Ell
whirling upon Morgan, addressed him
coldly.
you suspected me. Morgan, but how
about yourself? Who opened that cell
ar door, and who made that holef"
DO you mean" burst forth the
Hawk as with simulated anger lie
made a step toward the other. Davis
doubled his fists.
mo" cred Ethel as she sprang be-
tween them. I'VE will have no fighting
here. We have other things to do"
With a last evil glance at his success
full rival, Morgan followed, by the
Spider, left the room.
II believe you are upon the right
track, John" said the girl as the pair
disappeared. Slowly he shook his
head.
mo. l think l was In the wrong,
Ethel. AS a matter Of fact | lost my
temper and said what | had no right
to. 1t is the work of that mad Hermit,
no doubt.
"Then why does he attack only you"
she asked quickly"
1T does seem strange" was his
thoughtful reply.
Within the harness room Morgan
whirled upon his follower.
"They are beginning to suspect me
and we have got to diSabuSe their lit
tie minds. Davis has been the victim
too many times, now | suppose l have
got TO be the goat to even things up.
Come along" Gathering up two lariats
they started up the mountain side.
Shortly later they reached the brink
of a cliff that overlooked a valley, the
opposite SIDE of which was a long
rifle shot away. Here Morgan threw
himself upon the ground while the
Spider, grinning over his task, bound
ing n end Of the other about his
chiefs body secured the other end to
a tree. Having made sure that every
thing was secure he raised the Hawk
in his arms and carrying him to the
edge of the cliff lowered him over the
lip, and with a last chuckle at his COM
panion's plight went hurrying away.
Soon later he entered the living room
to confront Davis and Ethel. The for
mer arose.
"Where is Morgan?" he asked solic-
ltousfy, seeing the Spider alone. Il
hope he did not take me seriously"
HE felt terribly about 1t and went
off by himself an hour or so ago. wa
the Spiders reply. I'm getting uneasy
about him. The Hermit may have
taken a shot al him." Anxiety lest his
remark had caused the other man to
get into trouble, John reached for his
rifle.
Stay here and entertain Ethel for a
while. I'll take a peek around and see
If / can locate him." But the Spider
would have none of II.
~ won't let you go alone, We Will
Just have Il look into SSeetwater Val
ley. You go around the mountain and
meet me below" With this understand
ing they hastily parted.
John. coming to the top of the bare
hill overlooking the valley on the OPP
posite side of which Morgan was left
suspended to the cliff by his confed-
crate, paused to scan the broad scene.
AS he did 50 the shadow of II great
bird fell at his feet, and gazing into
the sky he saw Il dozen mountain vul-
lures wheeling and swooping In the
air, their course ever narrowing to the
far side of the valley. And as he look
ed and wondered what prey they saw,
an object met his eyes that made him
utter a gasp of horror. For suspended
against the face of the opposite cliff,
dangling In the air like a spider upon
his thread, was the body of II man
about which the wolves of the mir were
rapidly gathering. And even rs he
looked he saw one of the ~voraciouS
creatures Swoop upon the defenseless
n with curved beak drawn and great
claws curved.
Stopping TO witness no more he sank
upon one knee and leveled his rifle.
1t was a long shot and a quick one--a
shot which might only be attempted
with hope of success by an expert
rifeman, yet ut the crack Of the weap-
on the wings of the attacking creature
suddenly collapsed and the dark body
with it's white trimmed wings went
plunging downward like a plummet
TO the rocks below. A second shot
quickly followed with a second great
bird falling as had the first, and the
remainder Of the circling crew, fright
ened by the fate which had befallen
their fellows. withdrew In rapid M
ward Spirals until they became mere
specks in the clear sky.
Arising to his feet John stood ga2irg
In the clear sky.
II wonder who on earth he can be-"
he muttered, Then seeing that the
danger was past and the birds had
been frightened into the reaches of the
sky, he threw the gun over his shoulder
and started Oh u brisk run to reach