Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-09-28
CHAPTER xvi-contInued.

CHAPTER xvi-Contlnued.
Molly ran behind the blazing diva
picked up the rife. and drove a smasl
Ing blow against the back wall.
cracked; again and again she dashe
the stock against II, until a section {
the pine planks gave way under he
assault.
Together they carried Wilton throug
into a room behind. Outside 1t wa
quite II hit; a gust OF wind cam
through an open window and fame
the flames TO fury. With a roar tn
fire leaped up the outer walls. and TN
whole front OF the camp was ablaze
Molly scrambled TO the sill, clunI
there. and dropped. The factor, lean
Ing out. lowered Wilton's body. Ant
he himself dropped to the ground be
side the girl.
AS he dropped she perceived, with
u realizing II, that he had used boti
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
Iy 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 a leap for the vehicle.
"Let us In, d-n you'll" Chambers
yelled.
Bowyer dealt him a blow with the
whipstock that sent him staggering.
With a vile oath Hackett sprang for
the step. Bowyer dashed 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 Wilfon's side, bathing his
face with water from the lake. The
factor held his wrist.
"Hls pulse beats sound" he said.
Hell come back to himseIf soon.
Lets AVA. lass let's ava"
The girl hardly heard him. Pltcously
she scanned Wiltons face FOR some
signs of returning consciousness. But
Wilton did not stir. though be was
breathing easily.
Presently. with a hideous clamor,
the Two outlaws returned. Molly held
her breath as they came back along
the road, only q few yards above
where she crouched with the factor.
But. they passed on. and turned up
toward the camp. which blazed furi-
ousIy, 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
Ieaped back. and then, shouting
d~runkenly. made their way toward the
Come ava. lass !" muttered Nc
Donald, pulling at Moliy's arm.
He took Wilton by the legs. and to-
they Crept with him cautiously
further into the bushes beside the
lake.
Suddenly Wilton opened his eyes.
And his fiji words fell like an Icy
chill on the girls heurt.
Kitty, ! tried TO save your Incl
be 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
sleeve.
.Come ava, lassi' he whispered
Hell get. well, Comet It's
chance-a grand chance for usr"
What do you mean7" she wills
,ered back.
'Dinna Sc se7 They think we're
lead. Tom Bowyer'll think we're dead
n the fire. He'll never trouble us
again. Come, lassi He Wilma come
no harmi"
AS he spoke, Molly perceived two
lorsemen riding along the road. They
policemen; they moved at q slow
and they carried their rifles on
heir arms.
When they were within two hun
lred yards OF the camp they dis
Mounted, tied their horses to a tree,
md began to run forward swiftly
long the road. The uproar In the
table had not ceased.
Lee Chambers came staggering out,
bottle In his hand. And suddenly.
hundred yards away. he saw Quain
nd the constable
He boitcd back with a scream of
error. Then followed Hackett's bel
owing roar. and the two men APP
'eared at the door with rifles In their
ands.
The policemen ran toward them.
luain led the way. Drop thoseI
NM We've uof vnu 20 ho