The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-07-29

4
at the same instant as Otto's rife
without relaxing his vtgflznt watch OF
| Ernest he had fired over the ferret
faced youths shoulder at the sound Of
/ Otto's shot But the necessity OF
watching Ernest Iessened his usual &C
ctracy o. aim
| Whether or not Otto Was hit ]
| couldn't tell, for as he aimed his rifle
AT me and fired an old story flashed
| into M mind, a tale Of a man who had
saved his life by dropping TO the
ground as il dead when hit by a shot
Where /. usually somewhat sluggish
minded got the ouickness and presence
| OF mind TO fail as felt the stab in my
arm I don't know think sometimes
my association with Lillian and my
work in the service under her is de-
YeIoping traits IN me which I have
never guessed 1 poEseEsed-but drop
/ 20 the ground 1 did
Otto. evidently thinking that he had
succeeded in putting me out OF the
way. which had so obsessed him,
lodged back into the screened wind
mill
I'm not hurt I called 10 the officer
him in ignorance Of my wound until he
had dealt with the two dangerous men
upon his hands. 7 simply dropped TO
make him think he had nit me"
with Either Hand"
Good" was the officers only com
ment, but the word held so much Of
admiring commentator that I felt
myself flushing in spite Of the tense
work before US.
The next instant he had stepped TO
my side, keeping Ernest covered with
the automatic.
That pop-gun Of yours is OF no use.
Dc you know how TO handle this?" he
asked crispIy.
I gave a quick glance at the revolt
YER Il was Of a make that Harry
Underwood had owned and on one Of
my visits TO their home he had ex-
rlaiDed its use to Lillian and me. and
had given us lesson in handling it.
Yes" I returned as Iaconicaliy.
thankful indeed that il was mp left
arm-which / was holding close to my
side, and from which I could feel the
blood seeping-that had received Otto's
bullet.
He put his left hand to his belt and
drew from il the mate to the weapon
ne had in his right hand.
81 can shoot equally well with either
hand" ne observed as If casually to
Ernest Then he held out the first re-
yolver to me.
"If I Don't"
Don't hesitate to shoot at his
slightest movement" he said TO me,
and there was command in his voice
which I would not have dared to dis
obey even If had been more tremul-
Gus than I was.
"As for you"-his eyes had never
left Ernest, but his voice now turned
to him with ugly menace-"get back
against that tree. You may turn
around, but keep your hands up"
Thank you so much, shoulder
straps" piped Ernest in ludicrous fall
setto imitation OF posing woman
Then in a more coIloquial tone: Me
backs nearly broke. I'll be glad to
lean if against something"
Lean all you want 10 so you keep
your hands above your head, but keep
your mouth shut. And. remember, If
the lady should miss you-which
don't think she wiII-remember it
doesn't take me all day TO turn and |
let this off"
Don't catch me forgettin',' Ernest |
and there was real. il sullen /
adraira ton, in his voice. You've /
played the ace this trip for sure"
The officer gave a quick glance at /
my hand which held the revolver.
Il see it's steady" he said mo. if |
don't come back, march this fellow .
around and make him loosen your dog, |
then keep him In front Of You until you
reach the main road There is house \
about half mile from here where you /
AN get help I'm sure. Good-by.'' /
He started on a run to the camou- I
Gagged wireless in the windmill, his re- |
yclyer in his right hand. I felt my
blood chill as he left. especially at the |
,nainous words IF don't come back"
For l did not know how much longer
could hold out the revolver steadily |
RE blood was flowing fast from my /
trn soaking my gown I felt myself
rowing Saint, and. worst OF all, I saw