The Winslow mail., 1922-11-03

II in his house It was a hand-to-hand
strife, the breaking of heads, the cut
ting of throats. A big, red-shirted ne
gro with razor cleaning in the smoky
light made grab at Drace, who had
just room enough to leap back and
strike with his saber; but the agile
negro lodged, the blow was caught by
brick wall and the blade was broken
off at the handle. But with the hilt, a
boxing glove of steel, Drace knocked
the negro down and then passed over
his body, striking right and left, push
ing onward to the front, where the
Jagged ranks saw-toothed one into the
other.
The struggle now was to save the
hanging man, who, without fall enough
to break his neck. was strung up to
strangle. Drace was the first man to
fight his way to him. He dropped his
steel boxing glove, grabbed out his
knife, leaped up, caught hold Of the
cut the man down.
Catching up his weapon, he was
about to mix in the fight again when
the sharp scream of woman caught
and held him for a moment. He
glanced hurriedly about; at various
windows were lights and silhouetted
figures Of OnloOkers. But as if drawn
by some lodestone instinct his eyes
went to second-story window just
beyond the tree; and there, in the
strong light Of lamp just behind her,
he saw again the face of the barbaric
rose maid, Nadine la Vitte
Instantly he whirled and strOve to
fight his way to gate which he saw
in the wall before the house. But now
came a new cry and scramble for
safety. A troop of United States cav
airy came sweeping the thoroughfare
from curb to curb, their drawn sabers
flashing, the aroused anger of Uncle
Sam rebuking a riot. Not to run was
to be trampled to DEATH but Drace
stood an instant to look about for
ShOttle. He could not find him, how
ever, and he had to seek his own safe
ty, for the cavalry were near, spread
ing out upon the sidewalk.
With divers others, he stood not
upon the order Of his going but ran
hack down the street and then hurried
down a side street out Of the path Of
the troopers. There he waited until
the tumult had perhaps an
hour. Then he made his way back to
the scene Of the riot.
The house at the window Of which
he thought he had glimpsed the face
of Nadine la Vitte was now dark. But
in spite of the curious glances of sun
cry loiterers, Drace took careful sur
vey of it and Of the three oak trees
in front-even felt their bark to fa-
miliarize himself with them. At the
corner he sought the name of the
street, on the lamp, but the glass had
been broken, leaving only red 81"
and the fragments and "e" But no
matter-he would know where to turn,
would know the house when abreast
Of it.
Now Drace hastened toward the st.
Charles. The streets were quiet. But
wagon ratified by, and he saw that
it was filled with wounded men. He
thought Of Shottle and his spirit was
oppressed with sorrow. Shottle's es-
cape must have been impossible, and
tomorrow they would take his body,
throw it into some oozy hole and cover
1t with mud.
In the lobby of the ST. Charles men
stood in groups, talking of the fall in
the price of cotton. The riot, which
to Drace had meant so much, was not
even known, so accustomed was the
town to scenes of violence. Drace
asked the clerk If Shottle had come in.
No; his key was in the box. Then
Drace thought that surely Liberty
must be dead or wounded, hauled
away to suffer. He went forth again,
to the department Of police, to the
cavalry barracks, but nothing could
he learn. Then in his room he sat
sOrrowing over his friend and vet
thrilled with selfish happiness, for
he had found the barbaric rosemaid
He went to bed, tossed, slept, dreamed
in a mingling of distress and gladness,
and awoke. Shottle was standing in
the room.
THANK the Lord! % cried Drace, and
sprang out of bed.
That's what 1 say, friend Virgil.
But you will please address me as
Colonel Shottle. 1 am a free man.
Here!"
He held forth an envelope; opening
it, Drace took out hundred-dollar
banknote.
"What does this mean, Lib?"
II am Colonel Shottle. sir, and not
Lib"
y beg your pardon, Colonel but
what does this mean?"
Shottle sat down and crossed his
long legs He took out q cigar and