The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-15
"a
Loyal Friend
BY RALPH HAMILTON
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
~SS>~e~S~S,~S~~SS
Copyright, 1919 by the Western News
paper Union.)

lose. I've just time to catch the train
for Waynesboro."
"What are you going into that will
derne, for?"
Because I'm needed-badIy. Tell
you when l come back" and Warren
Lee, about as perfect a specimen of
athletic perfection as one sees in q
days journey, swung free from the
half-detainng clasp of close friend.
He was a fine, clean-clt. energetic
model of manliness and strength,
! straight as an arrow,
He had said he was needed, which
was the truth indeed. and a concep-
ton of the fact breathQd in every move
ment of haste and resolve. Warren
was one of those fortunate favorites
of destiny who had been left more than
enough to live on. He was always on
! the move--brisk, untiring and full of
vim, but it was all in the line of en-
ioying himself. Fishing, hunting, au-
tomobiling, he admitted that his life
was rather an idle one, but now that
peril, every nerve in his body re-
sponded to the call to pure, true friend
ship and loyalty.
Once while in college Acton Burt
had risked his life for him and War
rem never forgot it, He had not seen
his oldtime chum for two years, but
when that day he learned that the
young lawyer, in the midst Of law
less community had been kidnapped, his
whole being sprang into action. Young
Burt had become the champion and
leader in the law and order group at
Wayncsboro. He had been foremost
in fighting the Outcast element among
the hills, who were either mOonshiners,
bandits or rustlers. He had been in
strumental in sending a particularly
rough and ready coterle to the pcni-
Tertiary The colleagues of the latter
had sworn revenge. About to aban-
don proximity to WaynesbOro. where
II was resolved to drive them from the
district, the outlaws had seized the
young advocate Of the better class and
had carried him away to some remote
and secluded lair.
Warren arrived nj Wayncsboro and
at once sought out the Burt home. He
found the aged parents of Acton bowed
down with woe and grief. They Ind
not heard a word of their missing son
for overa fortnight.
"And then. Mndce," sobbed Mrs.
Burt. and collapsed in tears.
"Our daughter" explained her hus-
band. "Four days ago she grew fran
tic over the failure Of the town posse
TO locate Acton, She left n note tell
ing us she would seek and find him.
even if it was to die with him, and
disappeared with her favoritc horse"
Find me another one" spoke War
rem simply, "and I'll join both" and
in the ardOr of his resolve he brought
his sinewy fist down upon the porch
railing, splitting 1t in two. He. the
man who cracked n walnut by insert,
ing it in the bend of his arm and
could hurl hammer two hundred feet,
asked only to face the whirlwind for
a test of his friendship
His ardOr, his manllness his I'M
bravery comforted the old
people Within an hour, posted as full
~ rs was possible, Warren started out
to trail the abductOrs. Two days. and
he had not met human being. The
of the third he awoke with
n shock. Beside him on the ground
was a beautiful young girl her lowell
ness rather frightened than otherwise
by the pathetic dsquiet that showed in
her troubled eyes. Around one of her
wrists was a handcuff and the con-
Meeting chain of its mate ran to that |
he had been outwitted by a sneering
hurly bully who, holding him within |
range of his revolver, said:
1--WE made you both safe. I was
taking the girl to where she'll stay
until her folks produce fine ransom.
She got her brother away, but we've
got her. March,"
Warren was at disadvantage, but !
bided his time with patience. He fan
cied he analysed the situation cor
rectly. In a quick, low whisper, he
told his wondering partner in captiv-
ity who he was, and of his mission.
Their guardian directed them ahead OF
him, his revolver still a menace. Sud
denly, halfway up steep incline, with
4 lightningiBe turn, Warren swung out
his free hand. There was a crack as
Of parting bones. The ruffian went
fat and senseless. Warren picked I'D
the fallen revolver. There was no
time to return in hope of finding his
abandoned horse.
"Run with me as fast and far as YOU
?an stand It," he spoke to his compan,
on, and both were breathless as they
finally rested half q dozen miles from
he spot where they had left the out
aw. Don't mind little jar. We can
get along better with the handouts
apart Hold firm now" and he seized
he chain in a knotted twist. Snapl
hey were free.
81 felt so safe with you" futtered
Madge Burt, lifting to his her confid-
ng eyes and Warren took her hand
md thus they wandered on like some
happy boy and girl.
1t was just dusk when they came in
sight Of the lights of home, whence
Acton Burt and party of friends were