The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-02-08
CHAPTER Xxx


psusd. the three men went down the
stairs. paused the sleeping night clerk,
and beaded back 10 the sherifY's ONCE.
where waited Anita and Harry. who
had ctmpIeted his last duties In re-
gard 10 the ehsiky-face Maurice Ro-
dsins. The telephone tangled II was
Denver. Mason talked . moment over
the wire. sh<n turned 10 his fellow
ediesr.
-They'vs got Bsrnhsm. What's more.
he had close TO a million dollars In
currency strapped around him Guess
we'd better stir up some horses now
cad chase along. hadn't wer'
Yes. and get a gentle ono for me"
cautioned Harry.
THAT goes for ma. TOO" laughed
yHirchild
and me- like automobiles bet
ter" Anita was twisting her long hair
into q braid. to be once more showed
under her cap. The start was made.
A detour, then the tracks led the
wsy 20 tho Ohadi road. and behind
them came the pursuers. heads down
against the wind. horses morting and
coughing ss they forced their way
through the big drifts. each following
one another for the protection II ar
forded A long. silent, cold-gripped
two hours-then finally the lights OF
Ohadi.
But even then the trail was not DIM
cult. The little town was asleep;
hardly q track showed In the streets
beyond the footprints OF a horse lead
Ing up the principal thoroughfare and
ON out 10 the GeorgeviIle road. On
ward until before them was the bleak.
rat.ridden old roadhouse which formed
Lsurr's home. and light was CLEAN
ing within.
Silently the pursuers dlsmounted
and started forward. only TO stop
short. A scream had come TO them.
faint Ia the buster Of the storm. the
racking scream OF woman In . tenn
pest OF anger. Suddenly the light
seemed TO bob about IN the old house
II showed FIRST at one wIndow-then
snother--as though some one were
running from room 10 room. Once two
gsunt shadows stood forth-of q
crouching man and woman. one
hand extended In the air. as she
whIrisd the lamp before her for nm
instant aud brought herself between
lie rays aad those who watched.
Again the chase and then the
scream. louder than ever. accompa-
MED by streakiug red name which
spread across the top floor like wind
blow spray. Shadows weaved before
the windows. while the flames seemed |
10 reach out and enwrap every por-
ton OF the upper floor. The stagger-
Ing ngure Of . man with the blaze all |
about him was visible; then a woman
Who rushed past him. Cropping as
though blinded. the burning form OF
the man weaved q moment before the |
window. ciawing In a futile attempt |
10 open II. the flames. which seemed
20 leap from every portion OF his body, |
enwrapping him. Slowly. a torch-llke.
stricken thing. he sank out OF sight. |
and a. the pursuers outside rushed
forward. the igrrc OF q woman APP
pesred on the old verandn. half naked.
shrieking. carrying something tightly |
locked In her arms. and plunged down
the steps into tho snow.
rsirchlld. circlinx far 60 one side.
caught her. and with all his strength
resisted her sSuirming efforts until
Harry aud Bardweil had come 10 HIS
assistance. II was Crazy Laura. the
contents or her arms now showing In
the light of the flames as they licked
every window Of the upper portion of
tho hou-~-n,s heavy. sheepskin-
bound books ~ the ledger type |
wrapped tight IN grasp that not syen
Harry could soosen.
~Doat take them from mel" the
insane woman screamed. "iIe tried
h. didn't hef And where's he now
up there harnlngl HE hit me-and
I threw the lamp Al hint He wanted
my books-he waited 10 take thsta
away FROM me--but wouldn't lee
hlsn And you cant hsve them-henr
ms-l~t 10 OF my arm-lct go'-
She blt a. them. she twisted and /
bossed theta with her Eray head she
screamed and sgalrmed--at last 10
wesksn. slosiy Harry fvrccd hsr
sruis ssids and took frou them the
precious ecnteots-wbateser they
mlsht be- Grlfnls Old sheriff Ma~n
Wrapped bee 10 his roat aud led her
10 herss there ~ fosvc her to noun.
snd ride With him into town.The house
with sguint kpsalne- wss gone.
hses N The oiisce al Shcri9 Hard.
~sll The h,~tks sere opensd. aud Fair
child uttered an eAclamation.
~iIsrryl pldaH ale talk about nee
hs.ks ~ me cforet's lnluesll See
u there's sn~ sasfy aleax carsf 10
lniy'-aeout the t'lA' Of the Inquest
ilardw~tl tugrsf the ellsely wrltteo
regvs. Al last he aoipca
~srwssifss<a tssisy az the lnaaess.'
~ reaa 4 lied Ready made ne d.
u. I pss~v ww anrtoly gaarrellts :. \
Resides 1 Al h rax.fl -