The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-06-21

Because we wanted to break IL
gently" shouted Hackett. He seized
her by the arm. I'VE haven't no time
TO wastei' he shouted. HE may die
any minute while we're talking here ]
He didn't send YOU" cried Molly
with sudden conviction. "Why should
he have sent you? We won't go
You're lying! Let me co."
She pushed her father back into the
store and tried TO bolt the door In
their faces, but they set their shout
ders against it and broke through.
Molly ran to her room; they were
there almost as soon as she She
screamed. She heard McDonald's
feeble shout cut off as Chambers
grasped him by the throat. And then
she was struggling madly in Hacketts
arms.
Curse YOU" he shouted, with a
string of vile oaths, Selling her by the
hair and dashing his fist into her face.
She fought back like tgress, broke
from him, and, snatching up the water
pitcher, smashed ii across his head,
cutting his face with the fragments Of
porcelain. He grasped her by the
throat She chung TO the bed, the
table, to the door. screaming the while
until his fingers frightened on her
throat and the room swan blackly
around her.
She was family conscious of gag
thrust into her mouth, Of being car
ried, struggling, out Of the store, OF
being lifted into the rig. Then she re-
vived to find herself huddled upon the
floor, her father bending over her with
his wrists tied, and mumbling in her
ear. The engineer, seated In front Of
them, was driving furiously along the
trail southwark Hackett, with one
leg thrust out on either side Of the
vehicle, was wiping the blood from his
face.
Desperate as she was, Molly would
have tried to leap from the rig but
for her father. She heard him con-
tnue mumbling; and at length the
meaning of his words reached her
brain. and the horror of them numbed
her and depressed all thought of fight
| ing.
It'll be all right, my lass" the old
man was muttering. "They won't hurt
| We no more. They're taking US to Tom
| Bowyer, l reckon. He's bested US.
| Well have to give in. Wen make the
most of it."
The old man shook with fear, but
| he laid his hand caressingly upon
| her head. And afterward Molly re-
| called that gesture, and remembered
| that it was his right one.
At the time she thought nothing.
She lay back with her head against the
| seat, resolved to husband her strength
| for a more desperate struggle later, If
need be. Her dress was rent, her hair
fell to her waist. Raj. had begun to
fall; the horses, dashed necessarily,
tore madly through the darkness, and
the rig swayed dangerously from side
| to side.
Molly's thoughts ran on as f1ercely.
They were taking her to Bowyer, then
But Bowyer was at Cold Junction, and
surely he could not harm her there
And he was taking her father. She
must remain at his side and protect
him. She sat passively upon the floor.
/ Tic 1lellLlCu DdDDlIHH VI Lax
old man, and soothing him with one
hand stretched out upon his.
But this was not the way to Cold
| Junction. This led toward Chain of
Lakes, where several fishing clubs had
purchased ground and water rights and
set up camps. Her heart sank. She
caught at Hackett's arm
L.
pleaded won't you let US go backi
I'll say nothing If you let US go-TIl
say nothing"
Hackett grinned at her and tried to
put his arm about her. She struck out
at him, and. with an oath, he pushed
her back violently into the bottom OF
the rig.
She gathered all her courage to wait
And the waiting was not long. The
upland was surmounted. and lake
came into sight, neck of land, and
the dark outlines of camp buildings
upon it. A light showed in a window.
Chambers pulled up the horses
He leaped to the ground and, catch
ing Mcdonald by the arm, pulled him
| tOuSIiS Uut VI the NcltlCie NE udllI-
mered fiercely upon the door. which
| opened. Tom Bowyer appeared OF
the threshold. The factor began t.
tremble. Bowyer pulled him uncere.
moniously inside.
Bring her in" he yelled to Hackett
| The outlaw caught Molly by the
waist and swung her to the ground.
She tried to break from him, but Bow
| yer, having thrust Mcdonald inside,
! snatched her from Hackett's grasp
and, picking her up bodily, carried her
into the lighted room,
Bowyer deposited the girl on the
divan, went out and pushed Melon
aid in after her. Outside Molly heard
fierce alteration in progress~-Bow-
yer's threatening tones, Hackett's sui
len answers and Lee Chambers queru-
| lOus whine.
Presently the two men went out and
Molly heard the horses being led
away. She tried to adjust her torn
dress, to fasten up her hair Bowyer
came back.
Now We'll have a few words to-
gether," he said, leering at Molly.
CONTINUED Tomorrow