Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-06-05
CHAPTER XVII
Railway Takes Thought Of
His Spoils

he saw Lee disappear in the swift
waters Of the torrent. He spun about
and struck the pistol from Joyces
hands, pulled the girl to him, and
crushed her brutally against his
breast.
And Joyce, overcome by this cli-
max Of the nights work, suddenly re-
laxed in his arms and tainted.
Railway laid her down on the sand
and looked at her in perplexity.
He discovered that he was some
what In the same situation as the
fox with the sack Of corn and the
goose.
II he carried the girl through the
tunnel and left her while he went back
for the gold she might escape him.
On the other hand, II he left her In
the cave while he carried the gold
away, she might fling herself into the
stream In her despair. And some
one might take the gold.
The only thing for Railway to do
was to remove the gold and the girl
simultaneously. He carried the bag
Of gold to the caves mouth, bat in
spite of his great strength, the weight
was terrific. He reconciled himself
to his labors, however, by the refec-
tion that the bag contained fortune.
Then, returning to Joyce, he carried
her to the bag and set her down be-
side 1t.
It was fortunate for him that Joyce
remained unconscious, or he would
have been impossibly handicapped in
his maneuvers. Oursing and struS-
Cling, first with the bag and then with
the girl, Railway at last got them to
the rock at the foot Of the tunnel
which Lee had SO indiscreetly pointed
out to him.
Then arose the most difficult prob
lem Of all. Either the girl or the gold
would have to be left on the upper
side of the tunnel while he went back
for the other. And during his absence
Railway shuddered at the thought
Of any prowler coming along and max
ing off with the treasure.
He was not convinced In his mind
that his aides had not followed him.
PATHWAY chose to leave the gold
In safety. It was the greater Of his
two passions. Gathering Joyce In his
arms, he essayed the ascent Of the
cliff.
How he got to the tunnels entrance
he hardly knew afterward. It was q
feat which only TIE spur Of triumph
enabled him to accomplish. He had
ping the girl with the fnsides Of his
arms.
At length, however, he did succeed
in reaching the tunnels mouth, drag
ging himsef through, and pulling
Joyce through after him. The ascent
Of the rock ladder was trif1ing in com
parison.
He looked at Joyce. She was still
in condition of profound unconscious
ness Breathing an unvoiced prayer
to whatever gods controlled his soul,
that she would not awake, Rathway
laid her down between the monolith
and the rocking stone, and went back
for the gold.
This job Of hoisting the heavy bag
up the side Of the cliff, required less
dexterity, but every ounce OF strength
that he possessed. Inch by inch
straining and scrambling up the rocky
wall, Railway pushed 1t before him
until, bruised by the impact Of the
treasure, he got 1t safely within the
stone above.
He stopped to breathe. He wiped
the sweat from his face 1t was not
very far from dawn. He must have
spent hours on that hideous task.
Then. carrying the bag and the girl
alternately, he pushed On toward the
house. He wakened his aides with q
below. They came staggering out.
drunk and half asleep.
start up the engine, Kramer" he
shouted. wen have to be on our
way by daylight. Gimme a drink"
He gulped down half bottle Of his
own liquor. The reaction after his In
credible labors, the possession Of the
gold, the supreme triumph Of that
night exalted him. But he was anxious
to get away as soon as possible.
At Siston lake, which was only a
few hours journey by motor boat, he
would be In his own retreat. He
could wait till then to enjoy success
He gloated as he looked down at the
unconscious girl.
Something had gone wrong with the
engine, and Railway fused and
fumed while Kramer, the mechanic,
was repairing 1t. The packs were got
together, the engine overhauled
PATHWAY placed the bag Of gold dust
in the middle Of the boat, and car
ried Joyce to 1t. He Laid her down,
and they pushed of.
Joyce had fallen into q profound
sleep Of exhaustion. She began to
stir, stretched out her arms
Lee, DEAR" she murmured
She opened her eyes and looked into
Railways vulpine face. She screamed.
She STRUGGLED She remembered.
To be Continued