Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-10-28
CHAPTER xvl-cOntinued.

ID
,ssriv ran behind the blazing divan.
,leta5 un the rifle. and drove smash
=, Brow against the back wall. II
led. again and again she dashed
enc stock against It, until a section of
enc nine planks gave way under her
assault
Together they carried Wilton through
,.+o ! room behind. Outside 1t was
orfe light; a gust of wind came
elraugb an open window and famed
rho flames to fury. With a roar the
ere leaned up the outer walls and the
n,bola front of the camp was ablaze.
Molly scrambled to the sill, chung
There and dropped. The factor, lean
,pp ont. lowered Wilton's body. And
ne himself dropped to the ground be-
side the girl
As he dropped she perceived, with
out realizing it, that he had used both
arms and legs. The paralysis had left
him.
They ran down toward the, lake.
carving Wilton between them, and
making instinctively for the shelter of
the underground.
As they passed the road, Bowyer
came out of the stable, pulling fierce
~ at the horses, which were fastened
10 the rig. He had set his foot upon
the step when Lee Chambers and
Hackett broke upon him from among
the trees.
They made q leap for the vehicle.
"Let US In, d-n you'll" Chambers
yelled
Bowyer dealt him a blow with the
whipst0ck that sent him staggering.
With a vile oath Hackett sprang for
the step. Bowyer dashed him across
che face, causing him TO miss his foot
ing, and cursing and shouting the two
men rushed after him and disappeared
down the road, The sound of the gal
looping horses died away. Molly
kneeed at WiIton's side. bathing his
face with water from the lake. The
factor held his wrist.
His 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 Wiltons 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, 8 flaming parallelogram against
the glow Of the eastern sky. into which
the rim of the sun lust projected from
the horizon.
Even as she watched the girl saw
the blazing walls tumble Inward. The
men ieaped back, and then, shouting
drunkenly, made their way toward the
stables.
Come ava, lass!" 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.
Kitty, | tried TO save your line"
&c muttered.
lie 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. Hell get well, Come! It's
our chance-a grand chance for us!"
What do you mean?" she whis-
peree back.
ilana ye see? They think we're
DEAD Tom Bowyer'n think we're dead
10 The fire. He'll never trouble us
1sain. Come, lass! He Wilma come
20 no harm !"
as he spoke, Molly perceived two
NoiseiHen riding along the road. They
we're policemen; they moved at slow
"aIs, and they carried their rifles on
their arms.
NDen they were within two hun
ofea Yards OF the camp they dis
mounted. tied their horses to a tree.
ana began to run forward swiftly
eloag the road. The uproar In the
stable had not ceased.
Lee Chambers came staggering out,
. bottle In his hand. And suddenly,
hundred yards away, he saw Quain
and the constable.
ne bolted back with a scream Of
Terror. Then followed Hackett's bel
loving roar, and the two men ap-
PEI red at the door with rifles in their
hands
The policemen ran toward them.
gaaln ed the way. Drop thosel
aaads up! We've got you" he
shouted.
hlsllv saw Hsckett drop to one knee
speHor.
A that moment the constable fired.
/, .he outlaw toppIed head over heels
40 4 shot nA5bit and never stirred