The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-27
~ Gibson eMQl1lIalE
RioQQ.l.stlA.H pIln Q d1uuau,l

/ was hurled with stunning force to
the ground.
Desperate and intent, but In
realization OF impending triumph,
Rays strong arms went about her.
Nelson and Chan were on their
feet, now and they regarded her
In the utter silence of arnVement.
Breathing fast, Ray came behind
her.
Build up the fire. Chan. he
said In a strange, grim voice. I'VE
want to see what we've caught, /"
obediently Chan kicked the
Goals from under the ashes, and
began to heap on broken pieces Of
wood.
Slowly the fires glow crept out
to her revealing her wide, fright.
ened eyes and the dark, specula.
tive faces Of the men. Then Ray
spoke sharply:
well, why don't you question
here" he demanded OF Nelson. II
suppose you know what she was
doing. She was trying TO steal
food. It looks TO me like she's
gone over to the opposite camp"
Her father sighed. as that SO.
| daughter?" he asked simply.
"1 was trying to take some q!
your food-to Ben," Beatrice re.
! piled softly. Hes In need OF it. "
"You see, they're on intimate
terms Ray suggested ylciously.
ben was in need Of fool-so she
, came here steal It."
But Nelson acted as II he had
not heard. "Why didn't you speak
to us-and tell us You were safe?'
he asked. We've come all ths
way here TO find you. :
Perhaps you did. II you had
been here alone. I would have told
you. But Ray and Chan came all
the way here to find Ben. They
intend to kill him wh>a they find
him. Ii don't want him killed. e
Slowly her father shook, his head
"But l can't save him now. He
brought this on himself" =
Remember, he was in the
right" the girl pleaded brokenly
i"You won't you couldn't be a
partner to murder"
Nelson Strengthened. his chs
steely and bright under his griz
tzled brows. Only too well he knew
that this was the test. Affairs
were at their crisis at last.
IF one Of you dares to lay a
hand on Beatrice. I'll kill him
where he stands"
\ Even as he spoke his thought
wen to his rifle, leaning against
a dead log ten feet away. Thu
Jealousy and rivalry and hatred be
tween himself and Ray had reach
ed the crisis. y
Ray leered, his muscles buncl.
ing. "And I say to you, you're q
dirty traitor too" he answered.
Nelson leaped forward with oil
his power and II his blow had gone
home, Ray would have been shat
tered beneath 1t like a tree In tn.
lighting blast. But Rays arms
were incredibly swift, and his rifle
leaped in his hands.
The barrel cleaned. The roar
| re.echoed in the silence. Nelson's
head bowed strangely, and for 9
moment he stood swaying, then
pitched forward in the dew.wet
grass.
Beatrlce's last defense had fal
len, seriously wounded; and Ray.
arm seized her and screaming sh:
tried to flee.
The shot that wounded Jeffrey
Nelson carried far through the
forest aisIes. It came clear as Q
voice to tho cavern where Ben Law
Tho man started violently in his
cot. His entire nervous system
seemed to react.
The truth was that the sound
acted as a powerful stinulant tc
his retarded nervous forces. His
mind gave a great leap and rem
embered It's familiar world,
The only possible explanation
for the shot was that a rifle hat
been fired by some invader II
---------------------..-' 60
I