The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-12-11

tremendous, vital-not minute t,
lose. I've just time to catch the trail
for Waynesboro."
"What are you going into that viii
derne: for?'
Because I'm intellectually. Tel
i you when I 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 a close friend
He was a 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 q concep-
ton Of the fact breathed 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 1t was all in the line Of en-
| joying himself. Fishing, hunting, au-
tOmobiling. he admitted that his life
was rather an idle one, but DOW that
a friend was in trouble. possibly in
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
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
aud 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 fortnight.
"And then, Madge." sobbed Mrs.
Burt, and collapsed in tears.
"Our daughter" explained her hus-
hand. "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 1t 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 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
~ as was possible, Warren started out
TO trail the abductors. Two days, and
he had not met human being. The
morning Of the third he awoke with
shock Beside him on the ground
vas 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 handcuff and the con-
Meeting chain Of its mate ran to that
Of Warren. In his sleep, Samsonlike.
he had been outwitted by a sneering.
hurly bully who. holding him within
range Of his revolver. said:
1--WE made YOU both safe. 1 was
'al;ing the girl to where she'll stay
unit! her folks produce fine ransom.
She got her brother away, but we've
rot her. March"
Warren was at disadvantage, but
hi,1ed his time with patience. He fan
rirh he analyZed the situation cor
rrr,!v. In quick. low whisper. he
Told his wondering partner in captiv-
''y who he was. and Of his mission
Ti,c;l guardian directed them ahead Of
ril. his revolver still a menace. Sud
iirn'". halfway up steep incline, with
\ l'.:i'n.nglike turn, Warren swung out
his trra hand. There was crack as
# iar1in bones. The rufiian went
Ia, and senseIess. Warren picked up
ne fallen revolver. There was no
inc to return in hope of finding his
,i'Hloned horse.
"R',n with me as fast and far as you
IN stand it," he spoke to his compan-
on. and both We're breathless as they
inaly rested half a dozen miles from
~ ynn, where they had left the out
'aw. Don't mind little jar. We can
:rt along better with the handouts
mart. Hold firm now" and he seized
Il. Chain in Il kEotted twist. Snapi
il = were free.
81 fol, 81, safe with VIM - Huttoro}