The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-11-23
CHAPTER xvI--continued.

ID
Molly ran behind the blazing dIvan.
picked up the rifle, and drove a smash
ing blow against the back wall. II
cracked; again and again she dashed
the stock against 1t. until a section of
the pine planks gave way under her
assault.
Together they carried Wilton through
into a room behind. Outside II was
quite light; a gust OF wind came
through an open window and famed
the flames TO fury, With a roar the
fire leaped up the outer walls, and the
whole front Of the camp was ablaze.
Molly scrambled to the sill. chung
there, and dropped. The factor, lean
ing out, lowered Wllton's body. And
he himself dropped to the ground be-
side the girl.
AS he dropped she perceived, with
out realizing II, that he had used both
arms and legs. The paralysis had left
aim.
They ran down toward the lake.
carrying Wilton between them, and
making i~nstinctively for the shelter of
the underground.
AS they passed the road, Bower
came out of the stable, pulling fierce
iy at the horses, which were fastened
to the rig. He had set his foot upon
the step when Lee Chambers and
Hackett broke upon him from among
the trees.
They made a leap for the vehicle.
"Let us In, d-n you'll" Chambers
yelled.
Bowyer dealt him a blow with the
whlpstock that sent him staggering.
With a vile oath Hackett sprang for
the step. Bowyer dashed him across
the face, causing him to miss his foot
Ing, and cursing and shouting, the two
meh rushed after him and disappeared
down the road. The sound of the gal
Looping horses died away. Molly
kneeled at Wllton's side, bathing his
face with water from the lake. The
factor held his wrist.
Ellis pulse beats sound" he said.
"Hell come back to himself soon,
Let's ava. lass let's AVA"
The girl hardly heard him. Piteously
she scanned Wilton's face for some
signs of returning consciousness. But
Wilton did not stir. though he was
breathing easily.
Presently, with a hideous clamor,
the two outlaws returned. Molly held
her breath as they came back along
the road, only a few yards above
where she crouched with the factor.
But they passed on. and turned up
toward the camp. which blazed furi.
ously, a flaming parallelogram against
the glow OF the eastern sky. into which
the rim of the sun just projected from
the horizon.
Even as she watched the girl saw
the blazing walls tumble inward. The
men leaped back. and then, shouting
d~runkenly, made their way toward the
stables.
Come ava. lassr muttered Nc
Donald, pulling at Molly's arm.
He took Wilton by the legs, and to-
gether they crept with him cautiously
further into the bushes beside the
lake.
Suddenly Wilton opened his eyes.
And his first words fell like an icy
chill on the girls heart.
"Kltty. l tried to save your line r.
he muttered.
He was thinking OF the fire. He
stared into Molly's eyes without rec
ignition. and his own closed again.
Once more the factor pulled at the
girls sleeve.
"Come AVA, LASS" he whispered
eagerly. He'll get well. Comet It's
our ch%ance--a grand chance for us"
aWhat do you meanr' she wills
pered back.
sDinna We see7 They think we're
dead. Tom Bowyerli think we're dead
In the fire. Hell never trouble us
again. Come, lassi He Wilma come
co no harm I"
An be spoke. Molly perceived two
horsemen riding along the road. They
were policemen : they moved at a slow
walk. and they carried their rifles on
their arms.
When they were within two hun.
0tEA JoA0S VI tnS Nutule thtJ utS
mounted, tied their horses to a tres,
and began to run forward swiftly
along the road. The uproar In the
stable had not ceased.
Lee Chambers came staggering out.
! bottle IN his hand. And suddenly.
i hundred yards away. he saw Quain
and the constable.
He bclted back with a scream Of
terror. Then followed Hackett's bel.
Lowing roar. and the two men ap
peared &c the door With rifles IN their
hnnda
The policemen ran toward them
onain led the way. sCrop those
Hands up! We've got youl" he
~honfnd
lfolly saw Hackstt drip 1 . one knee
and draw ! careful bead upon the In.
gpecfor.
Al that moment the constable nred
1he outlaw f6ppled head over heels
liks i sbot rabbit and nsv Stirred