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

that he was unObServed, he seized the
rope and began lowering himself down
the chimney's throat, the great size
of the latter affording him ample room.
Hand Over hand he went down the
dangling length Of the lassO until he
landed upon the broad hearth with Its
smoldering Goals which his feet over
the boots of which he had slipped a
heavy pair of lumberman's stockings,
easily avoided. With one glance his
eyes swept the room. Ethel, her back
turned toward him, was idly toying
with the checkers as she awaited the
return of the man whom she loved
more than all else In the world, totally
unconscious of the descent into the
room of one who was John Davis
mortal enemy. Seeing that he had not
been observed, the Spider with a deft
movement thrust the exposed end of
the lariat up the chimney and made it
fast out of sight, then in his stockinged
boots began creeping like the insect
for which he was named, upon his
prey. TiptOeing his way, his eyes
glued upon her, he advanced silently.
his fingers outstretched like talons.
When within a yard of her, as though
aroused by some subtle sense of i'm
pending danger, she arose with a small
gasp Of fright, but before she could
turn or cry aloud, the prowler was
upon her. Swinging one arm about her
slender body and clapping a hand over
her lips, he lifted her from the floor rs
though she had been a feather and
bore her into her own room, closing
the door behind them.
Having gotten her here safely out
of sight, he threw her upon the bed
as with head held high and ears
strained he listened for any sound
which might indicate that he had been
seen or heard. All was silence, and
behind his mask n slow grin of salts
faction asserted itself. Ethel. finding
her mouth freed, drew her breath for
the cry for help that would bring her
friend rushing into the room, but
her enemy was too quick for her.
Feeling the long intake of her breath
and instinctively recognizing what was
about to follow. he clutched her by
the throat and The cry died unborn.
Holding her thus he tore a strip from
her pillow and bound it about her
lips until all further danger from this
source was smOthered,
Next taking her own lasso from its
hook upon the wall he proceeded to
bind her, lashing her round and about
as a spider binds a fly In its mesh, and
having finished this and made her
completely helpless, wrapped her In a
blanket. Opening a window and listen
ing and peering until satisfied that the
coast was clear, he again raised her
In his arms and bore her through the
opening.
Picking his way carefully over the
well trodden ground, stepping only
where others had stepped before him
so as to leave no new trail; treading
from bare rock to bare rock he disap-
peared, leaving no clew which the eye
could follow behind him.
But q few minutes later Morgan
and Davis, Rainface following. entered
the living room of the house. John
was speaking.
perhaps you are right. Anyway,
tomorrow we will try" He glanced
about the vacant Don "Where Is
Ethel?" he demanded sharply.
Frantically rushing about the place
they searched II nook and Granny, the
cellar, the barn, the o%utbuildings. No
sign of the missing one was to be
found. She had vanished as complete
ly as though she had never been born.
Sinking upon II chair Davis rested his
head In his hand, addressing them In
Il voice that was dry aud hard.
"That damned, Internal scoundrel
has come and gone again. And he has
taken Ethel with him. There Is no
use of searching further here, for he
has Borne her away to some hidden
retreat My God! What shall we do2"
First you and now She" returned
the Hawk huskily. "What Is the meun-
ing of 1t allT" Davis aroused himself.
"As for me, well, that didn't matter
much. But If he harms u hair of that
girls head I'll cut his heart out and
throw It to the wolves"
"And I'll help you with u willing
hand" chimed In Morgan, woeful Of
face but with q laugh In his bosom.
John got upon his feet.
"Ralnface, you and l must start up
the canyon ut once. scntter and begin