The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-12-10
GO on WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVI

know the thrill of professional pride in
. good Job we'll done; DLl ont vas grin
ming at his work, and so intent upon
It that his first intimation OF any inter
ference canNhwhen Lanyard took him
from behind broke his hold upon the
woman (and lamentably failei to break
hts back at the same time), whilled him
around with a jerk that all but un-
aocksted an arm.
Before the thug could regain his bal
ance Lanyard placed squarely on the
heel OF Dupont's J4w, just below the
ear, blow that. coming straight from
the shoulder and carrying all Lanyard
had Of weight and force and will 10
punish, in spite Of Dupont's heaviness,
fairly lifted him from his feet and drop.
ped him backward across a chaise-lon'
y que, from which he slipped senseless TO
the floor.
With bruised and aching knuckles TO
prove that the blow had been one 10
stun an OK, Lanyard believed 1t safe
TO count Dupont hors de combat, for
time at least. In any event, the risk
had to be CHANGED Lane Delorme was
IN plight demanding immediate relief.
She had fallen inert. and lay semi.
prostrate on a shoulder. with limbs gro
tesquely slack and awry. as II In un-
pleasant mimicry Of. "a broken doll.
. The twisted handkerchief round her
throat loosened, but not enough " give
rehef-Lanyard removed II, took from
her dressing table toilet water flask
and drenched her face and bosom with
ITS pungent contents
She gasped, stared convulsip ely anc
began to breath with less effort. That
dreadful rafting in her throat was still
ed
Since his fall Dupont lad made ne
ther moan nor stir No crescent irides
showed beneath the half.shut lids. He
was So motionless. he seemed scarcely
70 breathe. Lanyard dug the toe VI Il
boot into his ribs none too gently, nut
withut satisfaction Of any doubts. The
Fellow gave no sign Of sensibllity, but
lay utterly relaxed, with the LOOK OF one
dead.
Dropping to his knees, Lanyard bent
over his body to search for symptoms
OF animation. He perceived them in.
Dupont demonstrated that he Vas very
mucn alive.
An arm Ike the flexible limb Of 4 tree
wound itsslr afectionasly round Ian.
yards neck, clipped his head ~ Du-
bponts yeaIning bosom, ground his face
into the flannel folds OF foulscented
shirt. simultaneously the huge body
heaved pr0digously, and after brief In.
terval OF fantastic floppings. like u
young mountain fell ON top of Lanyard.
They fought for their most deeply
rooted passions. Dupont to kill. Lanyard
10 live. Dupont TO batter Lanyard into
conceding moment Of respite In which
weapon might be used Lanyard TO
prevent that very thing happening.
Even as animals in pit they fought,
now on their knees straining each TO
break the others hold now wallowing
together ON the floor now on their feet
slugging like bruiscrs OF tie old school.
Dupont took punishment in heroic
doses, and asked Tor more. Shedding
frightful blows with only an angry
shake OF his head. he would lower It
and charge as Wild boar charges, while
ing rods.
Time and again Lanyard suffered
blows that .ared him To mis- heels. time
and again was fain to give ground 10
an onslaught that drove him back until
his shoulders touched the wall
Chairs. the chalse.longue. tables were
overturned and kicked about. Priceless
bits OF porcelain and glass lamps. vases
and the fittings OF the dressing table
We're cast down in fragments 10 the
floor.
Constrained TO look to herself or be
trarnpled underfoot. and galvanized with
terror the woman struggled up and tot.
tered hither and yon like bewidered
child, IN the beginning too bemused
10 be able to KEEP out OF the way OF the
conbatants. II she crouched against u
wall, battling bodies brushed her away
from IL. Did she take refuge IN corner
she must abandon II else be crushed
Once she stumbled between the two
and before Lanyard could thrust hel
aside Dupont had fallen bacl; half u
dozen fet and worried pistol from his
clothing.
He fired first from his hip and the
shot shattered the mirror OF the dress
Ing table. Trying for better aim. he
lifted and leveled the weapon with u
trembling arm. which he sought tC
steady by cupping the elbow in his left
hand. But the second bullet ploughed
into the ceiling as Lanyard narrowly
succeedd in kicking the pistol from Du
points grasp.
Bereft thus OF his last hope--the,
were too evenly matched. and both toe
\ fur spent for either to force a victory
Il with HE naked hands-the Apache
swuns round and ran. at the same time
Throwing heavy chair over ON it'
I. back in the path Of pursuit Unable t'
Iayoid Il, Lanyard tried TO hurdle il
aught a foot on one Of its legs and
Dupont threw himself headlons dowr
, stairs. crashed to the floor with az
Apact that shook its beams.
Gain will.power lifted him to his knee
bre he collapsed, his last ounce Of en-
NICE wasted. Then the woman. will