Middletown transcript., 1922-09-30
CHAPTER xVI-Continued.

cracked; again and again she dashed
the stock against it, until section Of
the pine planks gave way under her
assault
Together they carried Wilton through
into q room behind. Outside it was
quite light; gust of wind came
through an open window and famed
the flames to fury. With roar the
fire leaped up the outer walls, and the
whole front of the camp was ablaze.
Molly scrambled to the sill, clung
there, and dropped. The factor, lean
ing out. lowered Wilton's body. And
he himself dropped to the ground be-
side the girl.
AS he dropped she perceived, with
out realizing it, that he had used both
arms and legs. The paralysis had left
him.
They ran down coward the lake,
carrying Wilton between them, and
making instinctvely 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
Hackett broke upon him from among
the trees.
They made leap for the vehicle
Let rs in, d-n you!" Chambers
yelled
Bowyer dealt him a blow with the
whipstock that sent him staggering.
With q vile oath Hackett sprang for
the step. Bowyer lashed him across
the face, causing him to miss his foot
ing, and cursing and shouting. the two
men rushed after him and disappeared
down the road The sound of the gal
looping horses died away. Molly
kneeied at Wiltons 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. Pitcously
she scanned Wilton's face for some
signs of returning consciousness. But
Wilton did not stir, though he was
breathing easily.
Presently, with hideous claInor
the two outlaws returned. Molly held
her breath rs they came back along
The road, only a few yards above
where she crouched with the factor
But they passed OH, and turned vi
toward the camp, which blazed furi
ously, flaming parallelosram 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. Th'
men leaped back, and then, shoutin,
tlrunkenly, made their way toward th'
stables.
Come ava, lass!" muttered Nc
Donald, pulling at Molly's arm.
He took Wilton by the legs and to
gether they crept with him cautiousl
further into the bushes beside TIL
lake
Suddenly Wilton opened his eyes
And his first words fell like an ic
chill on the girls heart.
Kitty, l tried to save your line
he muttered.
He was thinking of the fire. ii
stared into Molly's eyes without rec
,ngnition, and his own closed agaiI
once more the factor pulled at tn
girls sleeve.
Come ava, LASS" he whispere
eagerly. Hell get WELL Come! 1t
our chance-a grand chance for us"
What do you mean?" she whi
pered back.
.'Dinna We see? They think wei
dead. Tom Bowyerll think we're dea
in the fire. He'll never trouble |
again. Come, lass, He Wilma con
10 no HARM
AS he spoke, Molly perceived tv
horsenen riding along the road. The
were policemen; they moved at Il slo
walk, and they carried their rifles {
their arms.
When they were within two hu
slred yards of the camp they di
mounted, tied their horses to tire
and began to run forward swift
along the road. The uproar in Il
stable had not ceased.
Lee StdSSVihS w
n bottle in his hand. And suddenl
a hundred yards away, he saw Qua
and the constable.
He bolted back with scream
terror Then followed Hackett's b.
yowinc roar, and the two men q
Daored at the door with rifles in thu
hands
The policemen ran toward the
.Ouain led the way. Drop thos
Hands up! We've got you!"
shouted.
Molly saw Hackett drop to one kn
and draw careful bead upon the
spectcr.
At that moment the constable fir
The outlaw toppled head over he
like a shot rabbit, and never stir
again. The bullet had pierced
heart
With cry of despair Chamb,
fired wildly and turned to run. Oh
more Quain shouted, and the c
stable fred again. Chambers dropE
in his tracks and lay still.
Horror-stricken at the sight. Nc
crouched by Wilton's side. His e,
were open again. He did not yet rec
nize her. nut 1t was evident that C
sciousness was coming back to him
AS the policemen began to carry
hodies of the outlaws into the sta
the factor plucked violently at Mol
arm.