The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1922-10-25


ward. He pushed the factor violently
back and slammed H. Al instant lateI
there sounded the click Of the Ee-
in the lock.
The window The window 20 Shoui
ed the factor.
But that side of the room was II liN
ing wall Of fire, and they seemed to
be trapped hopelessly. The heat was
becoming lntolerable.
Molly ran behind the blazing dlvan
picked up the rife, and drove a smash
ing blow against the back wall II
cracked; again and again she dashed
the stock against It. until section OF
The pine plsnks gave way under her
assault
Together they carried Wilton through
into room behind. Outside IT was
quite light: gust OF wind came
through an open window and famed
the flames TO fury. With q roar the
fire leaped up the outer walls, and the
whole front of the camp was sblaze.
Molly scrambled to the sill, chung
there. and dropped. The factor, lean
ing ont. lowered wilton's body. And
he himself dropped TO the ground be
side the girl.
As he dropped she perceived. with
out realizing II. that he had used both
arms and legs The paralysis had left
him.
They ran down toward the lake.
carrying 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
ly at the horses. which were fastened
TO the rig. He had set his foot upon
the step when Lee Chambers and
Hsckett broke upon him from among
the trees.
They made a leap for the vehicle
let ms In. d-n You" Chambers
yelled.
Bowyer dealt him a blow with tbs
whipstock that sent him staggering
With vile oath Hackett sprang foi
the step. Bowyer dashed him across
the face, causing him 10 miss his foot
ing. and cursing and shouting, the TIVE
men rushed after him and disappeared
down the road The sound Of the gal
Looping horses died away. Molly
kneeled at wllton's side, bathing his
face with water from the lake. The
factor held his wrist.
"His pulse beats sound" he said
He'll come back TO himself soon
Let's ava, lass; let's AVA"
The girl hardly heard him. Piteously
she scanned Wilton's face for some
signs OF returning consciousness. But
Wilton did not stir. though he was
breathing easily.
Presently. with u hideous clamor.
tie two outlaws returned. Molly held
her breath as they came back along
the road, only a few yards aJovs
where she crouched with the factor.
But they passed ON. and turned up
toward the camp. which blHzed furi.
ously. a flaming parallelogram against
the glow of the eastern sky, into which
the rim of the sun just projected from
the horizon.
Even as she watched the girl saw
the blazing walls tumble inward. The
men leaped back, and then, shouting
drunkenly, made their way toward the
stables
Come ava. lassl" 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. l tried to save your linel"
he muttered.
He 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, lassf" he whispered
eagerly. Hell get we'll, Comet It's
our chance-a grand chance for u.s."
"What do you mean7' she whis
pered back.
"Dlnna ye see7 They think we're
dead. Tom Bowyer'il think we're dead
In the fire. He'll never trouble us
again. Come lass! He Wilma come
to no harm -
AS he spoke, Molly perceived two
hOrsemen riding along the road. They
we're policemen they moved at "A slow
walk, and they carried their rifles Oh