Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-08-03

4 tin panniklns. which they had evident
Is brought deslgnedly from the cook
house. and filling them from n hogs
head ~ liquor hat stood In the center
OF the
The old factor. wedged In behind
the counter, his right arm limp at his
side. was pushing his left into the
faces OF the %grInnlng Hunkies.
Molly. at the door Of her room, her
lips parted, her eyes dllated with fear.
was surrounded by a ring of men. One
Of them had his huge paws on her
shoulders. and, standing a little be-
hind. was trying 10 bend her back
ward toward him.
Wilton took In the scene instan-
~taneously through the thick haze OF
Sinking tobacco-smoke. Everything
swan before his eyes. With a hoarse
o n of rage he leaped into the center
OF the crowd. caught the man who had
his hands on Molly. and. spinning him
round, dashed his fists into his face
again and again until he was unrec-
equitable from the blood that covered
his broken features.
Screaming with pain. the man broke
from him. Before the astonlshed
Hunkies could collect their wits Wilton
was In their midst again. He drove
them before him he snatched up a
bottle containing a gnttered candle.
end. and, armed With this terrible
weapon. brought II smashing down on
their heads till he held only, the
spIinters IN his bleeding hands.
Stupehed by this onslaught. the men
ran for the door. But, jamming In
the entrance. the rear-most turned and
faced him. Three men set on him.
dealing savage kicks, and rushing at
him, head down, like battering-rams.
one caught him In the pit Of the
stomach and sent him toppllng against
the counter.
Instantly the whole mob was upon
him with knives. screaming with rage.
Wilton leaned against the counter, sick
to defend himself. But suddenly the
mob was flung violently away. and
he saw Dlgby. his fists flying like fails,
striking out right and left, and Telling
n man at every blow.
The respite enabled him to regain
his feet. snatch up another bottle.
and go to tile Engllshman's assistance.
The HunkIes had no stomach for any
more. This time they made the door
way, and ran nj the top of their speed
the portage, leaving Wilton
and hts assistant painting and ex-
hausted In their wake.
Wilton was about to go back TO
Molly when suddenly he caught sight Of
two men who looked like Canadians
sinking into the kitchen, which opened
upon the side OF the store. He recog-
nlzed them instantly as the " fake
policemen. Hackett and Tonguay. and
il WINS evident enough that they had
brought the liquor to the portage.
Shouting to Digby, he rushed after
hem. But they were through the
and had gained the open be
'ore he could get within a dozen PAGES.
Dlgby had evidently not understood
Nllton's shout.
Good work, what?" he calculated
'D'you have much Of this sort, Mr..
II don't know" answered Wilton.
'Itll be part of our business to see
hat there Isn't any more"
ut wasn't on our school curriculum
'aid the Englishman thoughtfully.
Wilton only glanced at him, and
rent into the store. Molly was on her
before her father. who had sunk
nto a chair. The old mans face was
lshen white, but, as Wilton ap-
,roached. he opened his eyes and
,lared at him.
"D-n yei" be Kissed with animagln-
lble fury. This is your work Get
,ut of my store and never let me see
Iour face againi"
He turned. and began to shuttle
away, dragging his palsied leg, his
light arm dangling. Wilton fell back,
ind Mcdonald began to make his
way upstairs.
Wilton went up to Molly and took
Ter In his arms.
"Molly-biolly, dear, It's all right
he said anxiously. Forgive
mel / couldn't have guessed those
would have been wild beasts like
hat. l thought Andersen could keep
hem in control. Thank God, | came
when / didl"