davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
Copyright by Geo. Il. Doran Co

tenSely sOlemn-alsQ extremely loud.
"Preposhterous. Perfectly preposh-
ferrous. We must go and apologize
to the owner. -. 4 l.
absolutely mustn't apologize.
Quite objectionable. .
You can't go about country .
knocking down gates. out Of
queshtion. :"
Half-consciouSIy Hugh listened, but,
now that the moment for action had
come, every faculty was concentrated
on his W job. He saw half n dozen
men 90 rushing u into the garden
through a side door, and then two
more ran out and came straight toward
him. They crashed past him and went
on into the darkness, and for an in
slant he wondered what they were
doing. A little later he was destined
to find out.
Then came a peal at the front-dOOr
bell, and he determined to wait no
longer. He darted through the gar
den door, to find a flight Of stairs in
front Of him. and in another moment
he was on the first floor. He walked
rapidly along the landing, trying to
find his bearings, and, turning a corner,
he found himself at the top of the
main Staircase-the spot where he had
fought Peterson two nights previous
~.
He walked quickly on to the room
which he calculated was the one where
he had seen the shadow on the blind.
Without q seconds hesitation he flung
the door open and walked in. There
lying in the bed, was the American,
while crOuched beside him, with a re-
volyer in his hand, was q man.
For a few seconds they watched one
another in silence, and then the man
Strengthened up.
"The soldier.- he snarled. "You
young pup
Deliberately, almost casually, he
raised his revolver, and then the un-
expected happened. A jet Of liquid
ammonia struck him full in the face.
and with a short laugh Hugh dropped
his water-pistol in his pocket, and
turned his attention to the bed. Wrap
ping the millionaire in a blanket, he
picked him up, and, paying no more
attention to the man gasping and chok-
ing in a corner, he raced for the back
stairs.
Below he could hear Jerry hiCcvugh-
ing gently, and explaining to the pro
pro pritor that he per-
shonally would repair . inshfsted
IN repairing any and every
gate pOsht he posshessed. . And
then he reached the garden.
Everything had fallen out exactly
as he had hoped, but had hardly dared
to expect. He heard Peterson's voice,
calm and suave as usual, answering
Jerry. From the garden in front came
the dreadful sound of a duet by Algy
and Peter. Not a soul was in sight
the back of the house was clear. All
that he had to do was to walk quietly
through the wicket-gate to The
Larches with his semi-conScious bur
den, get to his car, and drive off. 1t
all seemed so easy that he laughed. .
But there were one or two factors
that he had forgotten, and the first
and most important one was the man
upstairs. The window was thrown up
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
CUSTOMS FIFTY YEARS AGO

Who among US would say to-day, 81
never use a Dentifrice, | never have tor
Yet Fifty years ago, odd as it may seem,
not one person in 1000 used a Dentifrice-
or even a tooth brush.
So to-day, after more than 80 years of
persistent publicity of Aliens Foot=Eaae,
the Antiseptic Powder for the Feet, not
many well-turned-out people care 10 con
Tess, you know | never have to use a
Powder for the Feet"
More than One Million five hundred
thousand pounds of Powder for the Feet
were used by our Army and Navy during
the war.
The reason is this: ~Incasing and combining
the feet in Leather or Canvas Shoes is
bound to create friction, more or less.
Aliens Foot Ease removes the friction
from the shoes, and freshens the feet. 1t
is this friction which causes smarting, cal.
%louses, corns and bunions. You know what
friction does to your motor-car axle. Why
not remove it from your footwear by Shak.
ing into your Shoes today, Aliens Foot
Ease, the clearly, wholesome, healing, An.
tiseptic powder? Get the habit, as millions
now have it.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
"YOU DARLlNG!"

Synopsis.-In December, 1918, four
men gathered in a hotel in Berne
and heard one Of the quartet, Carl
Peterson, outline a plan to paralyze
Great Britain and at the same time
seize world power. The other three,
Hooking, American, and Steineman
and Won Gratz, Germans, all mil
lionaires, agree TO the scheme, pro-
viding another man, Hiram Potts,
an American, is taken in. Capt.
Hugh (Bull-Dog) Drummond, a re-
tired officer. advertises for work
that will give him excitement. sign
ing "Xl0" AS a result he meets
Phyllis Benton, a young woman
who answered his ad. She tells
him of strange murders and rob-
berries by a band headed by Carl
Peterson and Henry darlington.
She fears her father is involved.
Drummond goes to The Larches,
Miss Benton's home, next door to
The Elms, Peterson's place. During
the night Drummond leaves The
Larches and explores The Elms.
He discovers darlington and Peter
son using a thumbscrew on Potts,
who signs a paper. Drummond
rescues Potts and takes him to his
W home. He also gets half Of
the paper torn In the fight. Peter
son visits Drummond, departing
with a threat to return and cov
Potts and the torn paper. Hugh
substitutes Mullings for Potts. The
band carry off Mullings and Hugh
to The Elms. When Peterson dis
covers the hoax Drummond is
made TO stay all night. Irma, Pc
terson's handsome daughter, warns
Hugh he will be killed. He goes
exploring during the night, runs
into a cobra, escapes mysterious
death and refrains from breaking
Peterson's neck. Drummond enlists
tho aid OF Algy Longworth. Toby
Sinclair, Ted birmingham and Jerry
Seymour, the latter an aviator.
Drummond discovers a man imper-
%sonating Potts and beats him up.
The band gas Hugh and his friends
and carry off Potts. Hugh plans
to invade The Films.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

her, and his right arm lay along the
seat just behind her shoulders.
Tell me about this important
thing" she said a little nervously.
He smiled, and no woman yet born
could see Hugh Drummond smile with
out smiling too.
you darlingw he whispered, under
his Dreath-"yOu adorable darling ~
His arm closed around her, and, al
most before she realized it, she felt
his lips on hers. For a moment she
sat m%Otionless, while the wonder Of
ii surged over her, and the sky seemed
more gloriOusly blue, and the woods
a richer green. Then, with a little
gasp, she pushed him away.
You mustn't OH! you
mustn't, Hugh" she whispered.
"And why not, little girl?" he said
eXultGntly. Don't you know | love
you" His face was still very close
to hers. "Well?"
"Well what?" she murmured.
ITS your turn" he whispered. 81
love you, PhylIis-just love you"
"But it's only two or three days
since we met" she said feebly.
"And phwat the divil has that got
to do with 1t, at all?" he demanded.
would / be waiting longer to de-
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
CHAPTER WI.
In Which He Spends an Hour or Two
on a Roof.
e.

DrummOnd paused for a moment at
the door of the sitting room, then with
a slight shrug he stepped past Peter
son. During the last few days he had
grown to look on this particular room
as the private den of the principals OF
the gang. He associated it i'm his mind
with Peterson himself, suave, impas-
sive, ruthless; with the girl Irma, per-
fectly gowned, lying on the sofa, smok-
ing innumerable cigarettes. and mani
curing her already faultless nails; and
in a lesser degree, with Henry Laking-
tons thin, cruel face, and blue, staring
eyes.
But tonight a different scene con
fronted him. The girl was not there /;
her accustomed place on the sofa was
occupied by an unkempt-looking mar
with q ragged beard. At the end Of
the table was a vacant chair, on the
right of which sat Lexington regard
ing him with malevolent fury. Along
the table on each side there were half
a dozen men, and he glanced at their
faces. Some were obviously foreign
ers; some might have been anything
from murderers to Sunday school
teachers. There vas one with spec
tacles and the general appearance Of
an intimidated rabbit, while his neigh
Dor, helped by a large red scar right
across his cheek, and two bloOdshot
eyes. struck Hugh as being the sort
Of mar with whom one would not
share a luncheon basket.
Peterson's voice from just behind
mis- shoulder reused him.
"Permit me, gentlemen, to Introduce
to you Captain Drummond, d. S. O.,
Nj. c., the originator of the little en-
tertainment we hare just had"
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
'r~I" pJs ~

eide such an obvious fact? Tell me-"
her again forcing her to look at him
tell me. don't you care a
little?"
whats the use?' She still strug-
gled, but, ever TO her, 1t wasn't very
convincing. "We've got other things
to do. 4. We can't think of. . . :"
And then this very determined
young man settled matters in his
usual straightforward fashion. She
felt herself lifted bodily out Of the
car as If she had been a child she
found herself lying In his arms, with
Hugh's eyes looking very tenderly in
to her own. and a whimsical grin
around his mouth.
Scars pass here" he remarked,
"with great regularity. I know you'd
hate to be discovered In this posi-
ton"
"Would IY she whispered. 81
wonder . . ="
She felt his heart pound madly
| against her; and with a sudden quick
movement she put forth her arms
round his neck and kissed him on the
mouth.
as that good enough?' she asked,
very low: and just for a few moments,
time stood still. . Then, very
gently, he put her back In the car.
~ suppose" he remarked resigned
ly, SHAT we had better descend to
trivialities. We've had lots Of fun
and games since ! last saw you a year
or two ago."
"Idiot boy" she said happily. sit
was yesterday morning"
"The interruption is considered
trivial. Mere facts don't count when
It's you and me-" There was a fur
Their interlude of uncertain duration,
followed rapidly by another because
the first was so nice.
ITO resume" continued Hugh, 81
regret TO state that they've got Potts
The girl sat up quickly and stared
at him.
SCOT him? Oh, Hugh! how did they
manage lit"
sim id If / know" ne answered
grimly. '.They found out that he was
in my bungalow at Goring during the
afternoon by sending round a man t.
see about the water. Somehow o.
other he must have doped the drinl
or the food. because after dinner Wa
all fell asleep. l don't remember any
thing more till ! woke this morning
with the most appalling head. o.
course. Potts had gone"
II heard the q drive mp In TIT
middle Of the night" said the CIR
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

thoughtfully. DO you think he's at
The Elms now?"
THAT is what I propose to find
out tonight" answered Hugh. "We
have staged a little comedy for Peter
sons especial benefit, and we are hop
ing for the best"
"Oh, boy, do he CAREFUL" She
looked at him ~anxiOusly. I'D never
forgive myself if anything happened
to you. I'd feel it was all due TO
me, and | Just couldn't bear it."
Dear little girl" he whispered ten
DERBY, you're simply adorable when
you look like that. But not even for
you would | back out Of this show
now" His mouth set in a grim line.
ITS gone altogether too far, and
they've shown themselves to be so
completely beyond the pale that it's
got to be fought out. And when it
has BEEN" he caught both her hands
in his and we've won
why then, girl O. mine, we'll
get Peter Darrell TO be best man."
Which was the cue for the com
mencement Of the last and longest
interlude, terminated only by the sud
den and unwelcome appearance of a
notorious covered within and with
out by unrOmantic sightseers, and
paper-bags containing bananas.
They drove slowly back to Guild
ford. and on the way he told her brief
~ Of the murder Of the Americans
secretary in Belfast, and his inter
view the preceding afternoon with
the impOstor at the Carlton.
ITS a tough proposition" he re-
marked quietly. They're absolutely
without scruple, and their power
seems unlimited. l know they are
after the duchess of Lampshire's
pearls: | found the beautiful Irma
consuming tea with young Laidley
yesterday-yOu know, the dukes eld-
est son. But there's something more
in the wind than that, Phyllis-some-
thing which, unless I'm a mug Of the
first water, Is an infinitely larger
proposition than that"
AHe chE uIeW up at TIE SlalloH,
and he strOlled with her to the plat
form. Then the train came in, and
he put her into a carriage. And two
minutes later, with the touch Of her
lips warm on his, and her anxious
little cry, Take care, my darling =
take care!" still ringing in his ears, he
got into his car and drove off to an
hotel TO get an early dinner.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

suddenly, and the man leaned out wav
ing his arms. He was still gasping
with the strength of the ammonia, but
Hugh saw him clearly in the light from
the room behind. And as he cursed
himself for a fool in not having tied
him up, from the trees close by there
came the sharp clang of metal.
With a quick catch in his breath he
began to run. The two men who had
rushed past him before he had entered
the house, and whom. save for a pass
ing thought, he had disregarded. had
become the principal danger. For he
had heard that clang before; he re.
membered Jem Smiths white horror
struck face. and then his sigh Of re-
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

A neighbor recommended Lydla l..
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound to me-
and the second day after started TAX
ing it began to feel better and kept
on taking it for seven months. Now
keep house and perform all my house.
hold duties. You can use these facts as
you please and | will recommend Vege-
table Compound to everyone who suffers
as | did. Mrs: }; ). LITTLE, o4oo
Livingston ST., Philadelphia, Pa,
How much harder the daily tasks of
a woman become when she suffers from
such distressing symptomsandweakness
as did Mrs. Little. No woman should
allow herself to get into such a condition
because such troubles may be speedily
overcome by Lydia E. P%inkham's Vege-
table Compound, which for more than
forty years has been restoring American
women to health.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

lief as the thing--whatever 1t vas
was shut in It's cage. And 0 It was
out, lodging through the trees, lei
loose by the two men. He heard some
thing crash into a bush on his right,
and give a snarl of anger. Like a i!asn
he swerved into the underground or
the left.
Then began a dreadful game. lie
was still some way from the fence
and he was hampered at every step
by the man slung over his back. lie
could hear the thing laundering
about searching for him, and sudden
ly, with a cold feeling Of fear, he
realized that the animal was in front
Of him-that his way 10 the gate was
barred. The next moment he saw
it.
Shadowy, indistinct, in the darkness
he saw something glide between two
bushes. Then it came out into the
open, and he knew it had seer him,
though as yet he could not make out
what it was.
Cautiously he lowered the million
aire 10 the ground, and took a step
forward. 1t was enough; with a snarl
Of fury the CrOuchIu-
Shambled toward him. Two hairy arms
shot out toward his throat, he smelt
the brute's foetid breath, hot and loath.
some, and he realized what he was
up against. 1t was a partially grown
gorilla.
For a full minute they fought in
silence, save for the hOarSe grunts of
the animal rs it tried TO tear away
the mans hand from its throat, and
then encircle him with its powerful
arms. And with his brain cold as ice
Hugh saw his danger and kept his
head. 1t couldn't 90 on; no human
being could last the pace, whatever his
strength. And there was only one
chance Of finishing it quickly, the pos.
sibility that the grip taught him by
Olaki would serve with a monkey as il
did with a man.
He shifted his left thumb an inch
or two on the brute's throat, and the
baboOn, thinking he was Weakening
]redOubled its efforts. And then, little
by little, the fingers moved, and the
grip which had been tight before grew
tighter still. Back went its head
something was swapping in its neck.
With n scream of fear and rage ii
wrapped its legs round Drummond
squeezing and writing. And then sud
denly there was a tearing snap, and
the great limbs relaxed and grew
limp.
For a moment the man stood watch.
ing the still quivering brute lying at
his feet; then, with a gasp of utter
exhaustion, he dropped on the ground
himself. He vas done-utterly
cooked; even Peterson's voice close
behind scarcely reused him.
"Quite n of the most amusing en-
tertainments I've seer for a long time
The calm, expressionless voice made
him look up YEARLY, and he saw that
he was surrounded by men. The in.
evitable cigar glOwed red in the dark.
ness, and after a moment or two he
scrambled unsteadily to his feet.
I'D forgotten your ID menagerie
/ must frankly confess" he remarked
whats the party for?" He glanced
at the men who had closed in round
him.
"A guard Of honor, my young
friend" said Peterson suavely, Ito lead
you to the house. | wouldn't hesitate
i. . it's very foolish. Your friends
have gone, and, strong as you are, l
don't think you can manage ten"
Hugh commenced to stroll toward
the house.
well, don't leave the wretched
Potts lying about. l dropped him owe
there"
CHAPTER WI.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
CHAPTER Vl--Continued.
THREE.

Hugh stopped his car at Guildford
station and, lighting a cigarette,
str0lled restlessly UP and down. He
hooked at his watch a dozen times in
two minutes; he threw away his
smoke before 1t was half finished. In
short he manifested every symptom
usually displayed by the male Of the
species when awaiting the arrival OF
the opposite sex. Over the telephone
he had arranged that she should conn
by train from Godalming to confer
with him on a matter of great import
ance; she had said she would, but
what was It? He, having no suitable
answer ready, had made q loud buzz
ing noise indicative Of q telephone
exchange In pain, and then rung off.
And now he was waiting in that pc
euliar condition Of mind, which reveals
itself outwardly In hands that are
rather too warm, and feet that are
rather too cold.
"When is this bally train likely to
arrive?' He accOsted a phlegmatic
eficial. who regarded him coldly, and
doubted the likelihood Of its being
more than a quarter OF an hour early.
At length 1t was signaled, and Hugh
got back into his car. Feverishly he
scanned the faces of the passengers as
they came out into the street, until,
with a sudden quick jump Of his
neart. he saw her, cool and fresh,
coming toward him with a faint
smile on her lips.
what is this very important matter
you want to talk to me about?" she
demanded, as he assisted her into his
car.
'T1l tell you when we get out on
the Hogs Back" he said slipping in
his clutch. cts absolutely vital"
He stole a glance at her, but she
was looking straight In front of her,
and her face seemed expressionless.
"Y0u must stand a long way off
when you do" she said demurely.
AT least ii it's the same thing as you
told me over the phone"
Hugh grinned saeepishly.
'sThe exchange went wrong" he re-
marked at length. Astonishing how
rotten the telephones are in town these
days"
aQuite remarkable" she returned.
sT thought you weren't feeling very
well or something. or course. If 1t
was the exchange !. . :"
'sThey sort of buzz and blow, don't
you know" he explained helpfully.
'That must be most fearfully jolly
for them" she agreed. And there
was silence for the next two niles.
Once or twice he looked at her out
Of the corner Of his eye, taking in
every detail of the sweet profile SO
near to him. Except for their first
meeting at the Carlton, 1t was the
only time he had ever had her com.
spleteiy to himself, and Hugh was de.
termined to make the most of 1t. lie
FELT as IL he could go on driving foi
ever. Just he and she alone. 1t was
then that the girl turned and looked
at him. The cur swerved danger
DUSTY.
.i.et's STOP" she said. with the sus
picion Of a smile. Then you can tel
me-"
Hugh drew into the side Of the
rona. and switched of the engine.
~you're not fair" he remarked, ant
n the girl saw his hand trembling {
.lsstIp ~ ne opened the door, she gave
- s!ga. ne came and stood beside
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
FOUR.

At a quarter to ten he backed his
car into the shadow Of some trees
not far from the gate Of The Elms.
Save for a light in the sitting-rOom
and one i'm a bedroom upstairs, the
front of the house was In darkness,
and, treading noiselessiy on the turf,
he explored all round 1t. There was
one bedroom light at the back Of the
house, and thrown on the blind he
could see the shadow Of a man. AS
he watched, the man got up and
moved away, only to return in a mo-
ment or two and take up his old posi-
ton.
tits one Of those two bedrooms"
he muttered to himself, 'if he's here
at ALL"
Then he crouched In the shadow of
some shrubs and waited. Through
| the trees to his right he could see The
Larches, and once, with a sudden
| Quickening Of his heart, he thought he
saw tho outline Of the girl show up
in the light from the drawing-room.
| Dut AZ was ohhy IoI q oCSohu, anu
then 1t was gone.
He peered at his watch it was just
ten o'clock. The trees were creaking
gently in the faint wind all around
him the strange night nOises-noises
which play pranks with a mans
nerves-were whispering and mutter.
ing. Bushes seemed suddenly to come
to life, and move; eerie shapes
crawled over the ground toward
him-fgures which existed only in
his imagination. And one again the
thrill Of the night stalker gripped
him.
He remembered the German who
had lain mOtiOnless for an hour In q
little gully by Hebuterne, while he
from behind a stunted bush had tried
to locate him. And then that one
creak as the Boche had moved his leg
And then /. . . the end. On that
night. too, the little hummocks had
moved and taken to themselves
strange shapes: fifty times he had
imagined he saw him fifty times he
knew he was wrong-in time. He
was used to 1t; the night held nc
terrors for him, only a fierce excite
ment. And thus 1t was that as he
crouched In the bushes, waiting fO
the game to start, his pulse was as
normal, and his nerves as steady as
IL he had been sitting down to supper
The only difference was that In his
hand he held something tight-gripped
At last family in the distance he
heard the hum of a car. Rapidly il
grew louder, and he smiled grimly Il
himself as the sound Of five unme
lodious voices singing Justify struck
his eur. They passed along the roa(
in front of the house. There was
sudden crash--then silence; bit only
for a moment.
Peters voice came first:
"You priceless old ass. you've
rammed the blinking gate"
It was Jerry Seymour who ther
took up the bawl. His voice was In
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
None TO Spare.

Government index figures Of health
fulnesS are above ninety, but they re-
late to horses, cattle and swine. What
index figure would lit the Children?-
Boston Transcript.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
Didn't Count Much.

First Critic-YOu don't attach much
Importance to the applause the actors
are getting.
Second Critic-NOt much. There is
bound to be applause. You can't ex-
pect an audience to sit still the whole
evening and do nOthing.-London An
SwerS.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01

IIlOS VI viz
felt bad in my left
side. My monthly
periods e r irreg-
ular, sometimes five
or seven months
apart and when they
did appear w%ould,last
for two weeks and
very painful. |
was sick for about a
year and a half and
without
any Improvement.
The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-01
Virtue.

Virtue is not to be considered in
the light Of mere innocence, or alb
staining from harm, but as the exer-
ton of our faculties in doing good
Butler.