Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-10-06
CHAPTER xVl-Continued.

N'NN -.- z,,I =
Together they carried Wilton through
. room behind. outside 1t was !
quite light; a gust OF Wind came
hrouuh an open window and famed
rho flames to fury. With. a roar the
fire leaped up the outer walls anu 'he
whole front of the camp was ablaze'
Molly scrambled to the SILL cluhs
there and dropped. The factor lean
,np ont. lowered Wilton's body. And
he himself dropped to the ground De
side the girl.
AS he dropped she perceived, with
ont realizing it, that he had USED poth
arms and legs. The paralysis had iel'
him. -.
They ran down toward the lake,
carving Wilton between Them ana
making ~lnstinctively for the shelter OF
the underground.
AS they passed the road Bower
coma ont of the stable, pulling fierce
" at the horses, which were fastened
20 tho rig. He had set his foot upon
tho step when Lee Chambers and
Hackett broke upon him from amohs
the trees. n
"L.et us in, d-n you'll! Chambers
yelled.
powyer dealt him a blow with the
whipstock that sent him slaeseriie'
With a vile oath Hackett sprans io'
the step. Bower dashed him across
the face. causing him to miss ms loo'-
ing. and cursing and shouting, the TWO
men rushed after him and disappeared
down the road, The sound of the gal-
loning horses died away. molly
kneeled at Wilton's side, bathing lis
face with water from the lake. LIN
factor held his wrist.
"His pulse beats sound" ne saiu
"Hell come back to himself 0
Let's ava, lass; let's AVA
The girl hardly heard him. Pitcousl
she scanned WiltOn's face 1or soNl
signs of returning consciousness. bu
wilton did not stir, though he wa
breathing easily.
Presently, with a hideous lamo
the two outlaws returned. Molly mel
her breath as they came back aloh
the road, only a few yards aDo'
where she crouched with the facto
~ But they passed on, and turned U
toward the camp, which blazed 1ur
ously, q flaming parallelogram again
~ the glow of the eastern sky, into "hl'
,r, the rim of the sun just projected fro
nd the horizon.
Even as she watched the girl sa
tbe blazing walls tumble inward. II
men leaped back, and theh' shoutii
drunkenly, made their way toward T.
stables.
~ Come AVA. lass" muttered n
Donald, pulling at Molly's arm.
VIC He took Wilton by the legs, n
pether they crept with him caution!
further into the bushes beside
lake.
Suddenly Wilton opened his ey
And his first words fell like an
chill on the girls heart.
"Kitty, l tried to save YOU lh'
he muttered.
He was thinking Of the fire.
=. sta red into Molly's eyes without !
II ignition. and his own closed ag'
Once more the factor pulled at
girls sleeve.
"Come ava, lass" he whispe
eagerly. He'll get well, nm
our chance-a grand chance for us
"What do you mean? she W
\ pered back.
"Dinna ye see? They think W
q dead. Tom Bowyerll think we're
1 In the fire. He'll never trouble
again. Come, lass! He Wilma c
to no harm!"
AS he spoke, Molly perceived
horsemen riding along the
were policemen; they moved at a
walk, and they carried their rifle
their arms.
When they were within two
chliu dred yards Of the camp they
ornlu mounted, tied their horses 10 d
open and began to run forward sW
may along the road. The uproar In
con- stable had not ceased.
!, has Lee Chambers came staggering
ongue . hottie in his hand. And sud-
good a hundred yards away, he saw I
often and the constable.
He bolted back with a screal
"Cali- terror. Then followed Hackett's
ctions lowing roar, and the two men
ages naored ut the door with rifles In
must hands.
N imi- The policemen ran TOWARD
ouain led the way. Drop I
Hands up. We've got you!
shouted.
I'll un- Molly saw Hackett drop to one
and draw q careful bead upon
Cactus spector.
hen he At that moment the constable
a mere The outlaw toppled head over