Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-02-22

mistake to bring the girl with him. he
might have evaded Bolts posses, but
now every man within fifty miles was
on the lookout for him. His rage
turned against Kate because Of 1t. Yet
even in those black outbursts he felt
that he must cling to her as his only
hope of saving himself. He had made
another mistake in lighting camp
fire during the morning. Any fool
ought to have known tha! the smoke
would draw his hunters as the smell of
carrion does buzzard.
Now he made third error. Dou-
bling back over an open stretch of hill;
side, he was seen again and forced into
the first pocket that opened. It proved
tobe blind gulch, one offering no exit
at the upper end but stiff rock climb
to bluff above.
He whipped off, his coat and gave 1t
to Kate.
"Put It on. Qulck!"
Surprised, she slipped it on.
"Now ride back out and cut along
the edge Of the hill. You've got time
to make 1t oil right before they close
lin If you travel fast. Stop 6ncAjust
once-and I'll drop you in your tracks.
Now git"
She saw his object in fash. Wear
ing, his gray felt hat and his coat, the
pursuers would mistake her for him.
They would follow her-perhaps shoot
her down. Anyhow, it would be d.
version to draw them from him.
Meanwhile he would climb the cliff
and slip away unnoticed.
The danger Of what she had to- do
stood out quite clearly, but as a.
chance to get away from him she vel
coined 1t gladly. From the lip of the
gulch she swung abruptly to the right.
Her horse stumbled and, went down
just as a bullet flew over her head. Be
fore she was free of the stirrups strong
hands pinned her shoulders to the
ground. She heard a glad, startled
cry. The rough hands became imme-
diately gentle. Then things grew
black. The last she remembered was
that the mountains were dancing up
and down in an odd fashion.
Fer eyes opened to see Curly. She
was in his arms and his face was
broken wlthsemotioDs Of love and ten
dcrness.
- you're not hurt?" he impfored.
mo"
"He didn't-mlstreat your" His
voice was trembling as he whispered
1t. 5S,E
"No-no.";:5'
And at that she broke down. A deep
sob shook her body--and another. She
buried her head on his shoulder and
wept.
Without losing an instant the con-
vict set himself at the climb. His
haste, the swift glances shot behind
him, the, appalling dread that made his
nerves ragged, delayed his speed by
dissipating the singleness of his ener-
gy. His face and hands were torn
with catclnw, his knees bruised by
slip against sharp jut of quartz.
When he reached the top he was
painting and shaken. Before he had
moved a dozen steps a man came out
of the brush scarce seventy-five yards
away and called to him to surrender.
He flung his rifle to place and fired
twice.
The man staggered and steadied
himself A she'll had jammed and
Blackwell could not throw 1t out. He
turned to run as the other fired. But
he was too late. He stumbled, tripped
and went down full length.
The man that had shot him waited
for him to rise. The convict did not
move. Cautiously the wounded hunt
'er came forward. his eyes never lifting
from the inert sprawling figure. Even
now he half expected him to spring up.
life and energy In every tense muscle.
Not till he stood over him. till he saw
the carelessy flung limbs. the uncouth
twist to the neck, could he believe that
so slight crook Of the finger had sent
swift death across the plateau.
The wounded man felt suddenly
sick. Leaning against rock, he stead
led himself till the nausea was past.
Voices called to him from the plain be-
low. He answered and presently cir.
cled down into the gu;ch which led to
the open.
At the gulch mouth he came on q
little creup of people. One glance
told him all he needed to know. Kate
Cullison was crying in the arms of
Curly Flandrau. simultaneously
man gallopcd up. flung himself from
his horse and took the young woman
from her lover.
"AIy little grill" he cried IN a voice
that rang with love.
Luck had found his eve lamb that
was lost.
1t was Curly who first saw the man
approaching from tie gulch. "EIello,
Cass! Did you get him"
Fendrick nodded wearily. Yep.
He's up there" The shcepmans hand
swept toward the bluff.
"You're wountlcd?"