Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-17

Followed the Roar Of an Explosion.
he made his end of the rope fast,
then %clambering up by means of the
ladder swung her into the loft where
he deposited her upon the hay against
the front wall of the barn. Then stink
ing from the place he regained his
horse which he had left hidden in the
tiny ravine, and mounting disappeared
up the canyon.
A little later he had reached a cave
which had burrowed itself into the
face of the hills at the base of q cliff
or steep rise from the canyon. Here he
diSmOunted, and ~uncovering II box Of
dynamite and ~detonators which he had
previously concealed at the spot, con-
veyed them within the cave. Skillfully
working. he soon had fastened the
dynamite upon the roof of the shallow
place, then placing the detonator be-
gan stringing the cord which would
operate the trigger along the entrance
to the retreat a few inches from the
| ground. Having finished this and light
ly covered the cord with dried moss
and leaves, for II moment he contem-
plated his work with inward satiSfac-
ton, then going without mounted his
horse and went riding away. Once
more using his customary caution, the
Spider avoided the regular trail by
riding in u parallel course beside II
until about half the way back from his
devils nest had been covered. Then
drawing one of Ethel's si.oes which he
had taken from her foot before leaving
her in the loft from his pocket, as
well as the handkerchief which had
been about her neck, he slipped from
the saddle.
Grasping the shoe firmly he made its
imprint upon fresh snow beside the
trail, following the first track with
another a few yards further on, both
tracks pointing up the trail.
Further on toward the house he
dropped her handkerchief, then re-
turned to his horse.
Approaching the barn softly he halt.
ed, a moment later being joined by
Morgan.
"How is everythinsf" asked the
Hawk guardedly. The Spider laughed
softly.
"Just make him think she is in our
DEVILS Pocket, and when he tries to
bust in he'll get his, all right" As
quietly as they had come they left.
Within the hay loft Ethel, bound
h,,t tt.;th hne .,,rn ,,p,bntAI N.n,
engaged in a silent struggle against
the rope which wound her about. Sud
denly In the midst of her wrigglings
she became quiet as a mouse, pressing
her ear against u crack as breathlessly
she listened to the low voices which
were arising from below. As the
words of the Spider reached her hear
ing aud dim understanding of their
meaning came to her, she began to
roll over the hay toward the opening
In the floor through which she had
been hoisted. Reaching it, without u
moments hesitation she let her body
slip over Its edge.
For 20 feet her body shot through
space, landing upon the high-piled hay
In the munger of her pony "Ladybird."
and sending that animal back upon
his launches with Il snort of fright.
But the cloth had been torn from her
mouth by the fall and as she called
him by name his struggles to escape
ceased and with ears pricked forward
he thrust his nose against her beg
cling for the sugar which she daily
gave him, Seeing that 1t was not
proffered him as usual he grew impa-
tient and began nipping ut the pocket
where he knew 1t was her habit to
carry 1t. until at last his teeth closing
upon tho knot which fastened the rope
he gave 1t a series of tugs. A moment
later the girl felt the coils about her
loosen and quickly she shook herself
free and leaped into the stall at the
nonn's aida