Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-11-06
"a
Loyal Friend
III
By RALPH HAMILTON


Copyright 1919 by the Western News
paper Union.)
"In a hurry, Lee?"
tremendous, vital-not minute to
lose. I've just time to catch the train
for Waynesboro."
"What are you going into that will
derne; for?"
Because I'm intellectually. Tell
you when / come back" and Warren
Lee, about as perfect a specimen Of
athletic perfection as one sees in a
days journey, swung free from the
half-detaining clasp OF close friend.
He was fine, clean-cut, 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 ot the fact bfeathed 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-
1oying himself. Fishing. hunting, au-
tomobiling, he admitted that his life
was rather an idle one, but now that
q friend was in trouble, possibly In
peril, every nerve in his body re-
sponGed to the call to pure true friend
ship end loyalty.
Once while in college Acton Burt
had risked his life for him and War
rem never forgot it. He had not seen
his old-time 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
WaynesborO. 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 coterie to the peni-
tertiary. The colleagues of the latter
had sworn revenge. About to aban-
don proximity to Waynesboro, where
It 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 at WaynesbOro and
at once sought out the Burt home. He
found the aged parents of Acton bowed
down with woe and grief. They had
not heard word of their missing son
for over a fortnight
"And then, Madge." 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 a note tell
ing us she would seek and find him,
even If it was to die with him. and
disappeared with her favorite 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 it in two. He, the
man who cracked walnut by insert
ing it in the bend of his arm and
could hurl a hammer two hundred feet,
asked only to face the whirlwind for
a test of his friendship.
His ardor, his manliness, his I'M
undaunted bravery comforted the old
people. Within an hour, posted as full
to trail the abductors Two days, and
he had not met human being. The
morning of the third The awoke with
q shock Beside him on the ground
was a beautiful young girl. her lowell
ness rather frightened than otherwise
by the pathetic disquiet 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
of Warren. In his sleep, Samsonlike
burly bully who, holding him within
range of his revolver. said:
give made you both safe. I was
taking the girl to where she'll stay
until her folks produce a fine ransom.
She got her brother away, but we've
got her. March,"
Warren was at a disadvantage, but
bided his time with patience. He fan
cied he analysed the situation cor
rectly. In 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
a lightninglike turn, Warren swung out
his free hand. There was crack as
Of parting bones. The ruffian went
fiat and senSeless. Warren picked up
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
can stand it," he spoke to his compan-
ion, and both were breathless as they
finally rested half dozen miles from
the spot where they had left the out
law. Don't mind little jar We can
olonn hoffor with ha