The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-06-13

ed by the detective, who, drawing his
gun, hurried outside, to find two men
in fierce struggle. He seized Gus
and hurled him aside only to be
struck down by the fellow he be-
friended and, unconscious, was Sc
curely tied.
Gus and Jim, exulting at the sue
cess OF their ruse, lighted cigarettes
and planned how best to get Bet and
Edith without injuring them, not mo-
ticing that match carelessly thrown
down had set fire to dry grass just
behind them.
Jenkins, a dozen miles away, as II
sensing trouble for Bert and Edith,
ordered a car and rode away, explain
ing to Craven:
I'm sort Of uneasy about Forde
and Miss Paige. I'm going back in
the automobile and bring them back
here. Look after things while | am
gone" TO which Craven assented.
Edith and Bert, alarmed at the alb
sence Of O'Doherty we're about to in
yestigate when the outlaws entered.
The girl bravely sprang at Gus while
Jim, with dubbed pistol, leaped on
Bert. Edith fought bravely until she
collapsed on the floor and Gus hur-
ried to the bed in time to stop Jim
from crushing in Bert's skull.
Not that" he ordered. give got
a way to get rid Of him without
leaving no trace"
While the two outlaws were binding
Bert to table, the detective, struggl-
ing with his bonds, saw the burning
grass and wriggling toward 1t, un-
mindful of the pain, thrust his wrist
to the fire until the ropes caught nre
and slowly freed him.
Confident that the detective was
safely laid away, Jim got the dyna-
mite and descending into the cellar,
carefully arranged the explosives Ond
adjusted the fuses. At the sight OF
the dynamite, Edith, frantic with ter
ror, cried out:
What are you going to do?" And
Gus replied without pausing In MS
deadly work:
Were going to hold you for ran
SON.
Edith persisted she did not cans as
TO her fate but of Bert's and the out
law looked up and said with fiendlsh
GOODNESS:
20, he's going on long trip. We
are going to blow him TO-.
Jim finally emerged from the cell
lar, the smoke from the burning fuse
following him, and calling to Gus
that their work was done, the pair
seized Edith and dragged her from
the bungalow toward the brush where
their horses were concealed.
Edith realizing the dreadful fate
which awaited Bert screamed in her
agony and it was O'Doherty, whom
the outlaws had left out OF their
reckoning, who answered with rifle
aimed at their breasts. He had freed
himself by letting the fire burn deep
ly into his wrists and secured rifles
from the saddles of the outlaws
mounts. He was in no mood to, be
fooled with and the villainous pair
knew it, raising their arms at his
command. But Edith cared and
thought only for Bert.
Quick, or he'll be killed" she
cried, dashing toward the bungalow
The detective realizing something
serious was in the air, let the out
laws get away as he hurried into the
smoke-fil1ed shack. He asked no
questions but helped Edith free Bert
from the chair and drag him from
the scene and as they threw them
selves to the ground fifty feet away,
the shack disappeared in a great up
heaval of debris and fame. Seated at
a safe distance in their saddles, Gus
and Jim watched.
We'll, maybe we got him." said