Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-01-06

/ ging at the dried mud between the
logs Of the wall; endeayOring to gain
some leverage upon the hinges of the
door, and Juggling once again furious
ly at those wooden stakes protecting
the narrow window. His fingers bled
from the frantic effort to thus loosen
something, to yield him an opportuni-
ty to really exert his strength. These
efforts were utterly useless; there was
not a spot of weakness to be discov-
cred. If the place had been originally
constructed as a prison it could not
have been more securely built. Men
tally and physically exhausted, he
flung himself upon the floor, and lay
there, quivering from head to foot,
with nerves completely shattered.
The silence became CHASTITY; any
sound would have been a relief. There
was no one moving about even in that
other room, and the door between fitted
too closely for him to perceive any
CLEAN of light. He listened intently,
holding his breath, but his head sank
back once more in detection. Why in
Gods name hadn't he fought it out
like mann Why had he ever permit
ted himself to be thus caught like
trapped rat? The frenzy of disgust he
felt caused him to sit up and stare
once more at the single star shining
through the window. What was thatl
A shadow? Surely something out yon
der moved!
Silently, cautiously, he stepped on
the stool, and looked out between the
bars, his heart beating like drum. AT
first he saw nothing, the blood seem
ing to stand still as he gaZed-then
the fingers of hand grasped one OF
the wooden bars, and a face rose
slowly just in front of his own.
whisper revealed the identity of his
visitor.
"SenOr, come quietly to window; dc
not speak loud"
"Pancha, you! You would talk with
me, then?'
81 must know some things, senior;
must be sure" she said fiercely. You
tell me tonight the truth, senior; you
not lie to me-
"Not a single word" he assured hel
eagerly, his heart beginning to beat
with new hope, his face advanced un'
til only the bars divided them. u
trusted you"
"You are Senior Shelby?"
eyes"
"And she, this woman, is your
wife?"
"Yes." T.,
"She is pretty woman, vera pretty
you not married long?"
''No, only a few days; we had ous'
come to the ranch when she was tax
en- away"
But, senior, why she go away if she
be Just married like you say? Why
she leave you, an run off with Senol
Macklin? She love heem better thar
your"
'Love him! She did not run off. he
stole her he and four Indians, afte'
leaving me for dead"
"He not tel eet to me like that; ne
say she waneto marry heem, an moi
YOU. That he took her to save her from
Won: that she would not let heen
leave her. Then you fight; an so gel
keeled."
Shelby laughed softly.
"So that was Macklin's story, wal
it? Well, it is not exactly true
amt saving she's in love with me, OF
nothin' like that, but she sure don't
banker none after that chap. I'll tel!
yer why he took her-cause shes go'
q bunch O. money comm her way dowr
east that Macklin would like to ge'
his hands on"
"He marry herT
"That's his game, no doubt, If y
works. If not he'll evolve some other
7 don't think he gives cuss how It's
done, so he gets it-he and his pre-
cious father"
She stared at him with lips
parted.
"Maybe 1 see it more clear now
she exclaimed. "He not love her
then; he just want her money, ban
I care not how he get that, If he moi
get her. You take her away, Senol
Shelby, where he never see her
againT
"Of course"
"An' you keep her married to your
"Pll do the best l can. What dt
you mean, Pancha? Can you get IN
out of here?"