The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-26
CHAPTER XXI

CHAPTER XXI Retrobution When they lifted him into the auto mobile and Beth got in beside him his fingers moved in her own. Beth" she heard him whisper. "Peter-Pm here"
 Thank God. And-and Shad-? He-he was with me-
 He's asking for Shad," she repeat ed to Brierly, unaware that her cousin, like his biblical namesake, had come scattheless through the fiery furnace. But some one heard the question and replied:
 "Shad's here, miss. He's all right
 "oh." gasped Peter. And there's som ething else-
 NO. no-we must go. Your wound-'
 But he insisted. I'm alright. Something else-Beth-som one must get - paper - blue envelope-Hawk Ken-'
 His words ended in a gasp ana ne sank back in her arms.
 Beth was frightened at the sudden collapse and the look in his face, but she knew that his injunction was i'm nortant. And keeping her courage she called Shad Wells to the side or car and gave quick direction. There was a note of appeal in her voice and Shad listened, his gaze over his shoul- der in the direction she indicated.
 ..Jf he ain't burned to a, crisp by now@
 "co sbad-DIease! And if you can get to him bring the papers in his pocket to me-
 He met her gaze and smiled.
 "I reckon I'll get to him if any body can.''
 "Oh, nks-shad-thanks - she muttered ,as the lumber1nan turn ed, followed by one of the others, and silently moved toward the flames
 And in a moment the car was on its way to Black Rock, Brierly driv- ing carefully over the rough road That was "a terrible ride for Beth. She supported the wounded man against her shoulder, her gaze on his pallid face.
 BrierIy drove to Black Rock House instinctively. Here were beds, serv- ants and the telephone. He sounded his horn as they came up the drive way and an excited group came out upon the porch. But Beth saw only McGuire.
 MT. Nichols has been shot, Mir dangerously hurt" she Hes got to have a doc tor-at once"
 'who-who shot him?"
 Hawk Kennedy"
 And he-Hawk-?"
 He's dead, I think"
 She heard McGuire's sudden gasp and saw Aunt Tfllie come running.
 He's got to be put to bed-Aunt 1 Tillie,' she pleaded. |
 ''Of course.'' said McGuire, finding
  once. The blue room, Mrs Bergen. l We'll carry him up. Send Stryker." |
 And Aunt Tillfe ran indoors
 Peter was still quite unconscious put between them they managed to | get him upstairs.
 McGuire seemed now galvanized | nto activity, and while the others cut | Peters coat away and found the he got Hammonton and a niles away. but he promised to be It Black Rock House inside half an lour.
 Twenty minutes and you won't re- yret it. Drive like hell. It's a matter 'f life or death"
 Meanwhile, Aunt Tfllie, with anx- ous glances at Beth, had brought ab- orbent cotton, clean linen, a basin of water and a sponge, and Stryker and
 
 iuire rushed for his battle and man ged to force some whisky and water between Peters teeth. The bullet hey found had gone through the 'ody and had come out at the back, hattsring the shoulderblade But the lemorrhage had almost ceased and he wounded mans heart was still 'eating faintly. --r- Its the blood he's lost" n1uttered Srierly sagely
 Hell come around all right. You ant kill man as game as that"
 Beth clung to the arms of the chair n which they had placed her. You hink-he-hell live ?"
 Sure he will. I've seen 'em wors'n hat"
 She sank back into her chair, ex- austed. She had never tainted in her fife and she wasn't going to begin. But now that all that they could do ad been done for Peter, they turned 1 heir attention to Beth. She had not now how much she needed 1t. Her air was singed. her wrists were raw ] nd bleeding. and her arms. half nak- d were red and blistered- Her dress. baked with mud and water, was artly torn or burned away She must be put to bed here. Mrs, 'ergen." said Mcclure. She'll need he doctor, too" Beth protested and would not leave 1 he room until the doctor came. But IcGuire, who seemed-and some rhat justly-to have complete faith ; l the efficacy of his own remedy. ] ave her some of the whisky and rater to drink, while Aunt Tillie !; ashed her face and rubbed vaseline