The Bowbells tribune., 1920-07-02
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Loyal Friend
By RALPH HAMILTON


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Copyright. 1919 by the Western News
paper Union.)
I'm q hurry, Lee?"
Tremendous, vital-not minute to
lose. I've just time to catch the train
for Waynesboro."
"What are you going into that viii
dernes for?"
Because I'm needed--badly. Tell
you when I come back" and Warren
Lee, about as perfect specimen Of
athletic perfection as one sees In a
days journey, swung free from the
half-detalning clasp Of close friend.
BE 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 q concep-
ton of the fact breathed in every move
ment Of haste and resolve. Warren
was one of those fortunate fayorites
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-
joying himself. Fishing, hunting, ait
tomobiling, he admitted that his life
was rather an Idle one, but now that
4 friend was in trouble, possibly in
peril, every nerve In his body re-
sponoed 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 old-time chum for two years. put
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 particularly
rough and ready coter1e to the peni-
tentiary. The colleagues of the latter
had sworn revenge. About to ahan-
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 fortnight.
"And then, Wadge," 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 note tell
ing US she would seek and find him,
even If it was to die with him. and
disappeared with her favorlte horse"
"Find me another one," spoke War
rem simply, "and III 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 a walnut by insert
ing 1t 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 un-
undaunted bravery comforted the old
people. Within an hour, posted as full
~ as was possible. Warren started out
to trail the abdu'ctors. Two days, and
he had not met q human being. The
morning of the third he awoke with
4 shock. Beside him on the ground
was 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 sneering,
burly 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 ut 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 menace Sud-
denly, halfway up steep incline, with
q lightninglike turn, Warren swung out
his free hand. There was a crack as
Of parting bones. The ruffian went
fat 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
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