The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-02-08
G he STRENGTH Of the Plies


headed on toward the distant wall of
forest beyond.
Then. the clouds slowly dimming un-
der the moon, the light grew with al
most imperceptible entertainments. At
first II was only bright enough to
show her own dim shadow on the
grass. The utter gloom that was over
the fields lessened and drew away like
r~eceding curtains: her vision reached
ever farther. the shadows grew more
clearly outlined and distinct. Then
the moon rolled forth into a wholly
open patch Of sky--a white sphere
with u sprinkling Of vivid stars around
it-and the silver radiance poured
down.
1t was like the breaking OF dawn.
The fields stretched to incredible dis
tances about her. The forest beyond
emerged in distinct outline; she could
see every i~rreguiarity I'm the plain.
And in one instant's glance she knew
that she had found Bruce.
His situation went home to her in
one sweep OF the eyes. Bruce was
not alone. Even now a great. tower
ing figure was creeping toward him
from the forest. Linda cried out,
and with the long strap of her rein
dashed her horse into the fastest pace
II knew.
Bruce did o hear her come. He
lay In the soft grass. waiting for
death. A great calm had come upon
him a strange, quiet strength that the
pines themselves might have lent TO
him; and he made no cry. In this
dreadful last moment Of despair the
worst of his terror had gone and left
his thoughts singularly clear. And
but n desire was left to him: that
the Killer might be- nerciful and end
his existence with one blow.
1t was not a great deal to ask for;
but he knew perfectly that only by the
mercy of the forest gods could II come
to pass. They are usually not so kind
TO the dying; and Ii is not the Wild
animal way to take pains to Kill at
the first blow. Yet his eyes held
straight. The Killer crept slowly
toward him; more and more of his
vast body was revealed above the tall
heads OF the grass. And now all that
Bruce knew was a great wonder-a
strange expectancy and awe of what
the opening gates of darkness would
reveal.
The Killer moved with dreadful
slowness and deliberation. He was no
longer afraid. II was just as II had
been before-a warm figure lying still
and helpless for his own terrible pleas.
ure. A few more steps and he would
be neal enough TO see plainly then
after the grizzly habit-to fling into
the charge. He paused, his muscles
setting. And then the meadows sud
denly rang with the fluctuations of
his snarl.
Almost unconscious. Bruce did not
understand what had caused his utter
ance. But strangely. the bear had lift
ed his head and was staring straight
over him. For the first time Bruce
heard the wild beat of hoofs OF the
tuTi DeIiHu MIN.
He didn't have time to turn and
look. There was no opportunity even
for a food of renewed hope. Events
followed upon n another with star
Ting rapidity. The sharp, unmistak-
able crack OF a pistol leaped through
the dusk. and n bullet sung over his
body. And then I wild-riding figure
swept up to him.
II was Linda. firing as she came.
How she had been able to control her
horse and ride him into that scene
Of peril no words may reveal. Per
haps, running wildly beneath the lash.
his starting eyes did not discern or In
terpret the gra figure scarcely a score
Of yards distant from Bruce; and II
Is true the grizzIy's pungent smell
q thing to terrify much more and to
be interpreted more clearly han any
kind Of dim form In the moonlight
was blown In the opposite direction.
Perhaps the flashing strap recalled the
terrible punishment the horse had IN
dergone earlier that evening at the
hhiIis VI olilon anu w IDOiu WIS ltll
for any lesser terror. But most likely
OF all, just as in the case OF brave
soldiers riding their horses into bat
tie, the girls wv strength and cour-
age yer into him.
The bear reared up, snarling with
wrath, but for a 1t dared not
charge. The sudden appearance of
the girl and lie horse held him mo-
mentarily at bay. The girl swung TO
the ground In n leap, fred again,
thrust her arm through the loop of
the bride rein, then knelt at Bruce's
side. The white blade that she car
ried In her left hand slashed at his
bonds.
The horse. plunging. seemed to jerk
her body back and forth. and endless
seconds seemed to go by before the
last of the thongs was severed. In
reality the whole rescue was unbeliey-
ably swift. The man helped her all
he could. "Up-up into the saddle"
she commanded. The grizzly grOwled
again. advancing remorselessIy toward
them, and twice more she fired. Two
OF the bullets went home In his great
body, but their weight and shocking
power were too slight to affect him.
He went down once more on all fours.
preparing TO charge.