Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-09-20

NOA. SAWS00, Will du luQlkuduL OdtU,
took a quick step forward. The vigi-
lante was under, and, as he was
rolled on his back, the gambler rec
ognized Abe Cole, the blacksmith; at
the same instant he saw the knife
raised above him. Selwood, with a
vicious kick, sent the knife hurting
across the driveway, and, grabbing
the upper man by the collar, brought
the butt Of his gun down on the mans
head and turned his face t, the light
to see who 1t was. He had only time
TO ascertain that the coward was none
Of his own men, when McAlpin came
running out Of the barn. In one hand
he carried a lantern, and in the other
hatchet-the front and picture Of
wild man. Selwood, gripping the
throat Of the coward, looked up at
McAlpin. "Who's this man, Jim% de-
manded Selwood sharply. McAlpin
amazed at the sight Of Selwood, was,
at no loss for words. "a firebugw he
cried, xiii him They're after horses.
I caught him and he tried to murder
me-"
Throw me couple Of halter
straps or a piece Of rope. You look
to Cole" exclaimed Selwood With
skull clearly club-proof, the fighting
blacksmith was staggering to his
feet. Cole recognized Selwood. "That
was close squeak, John, cried Cole.
'tHe'd had a knife into me. 1 know
the blamed thief. He's one of them
river rats-kill him."
Turn him over to your Vigilantes
with my compliments" responded
Selwood, rising from the man he had
tied. "Why don't they come my way
up the hill?" he asked Of Cole, taunt-
ingly.
"The orders is out not to burn you
John-that's why. Look after this
bird bit, Jim"-Cole pointed to the
horse thief and addressed McAlpin-
It'll I get help. Well string him up"
McAlpin rubbed his hands in cheer
full anticipation; Cole ran off, rubbing
his head. Selwood spoke sharply to
the barn boss: whats become of
FylerT
'The girl was over to see If they
could get team and a wagon, John.
She was afraid they'd be after her
father. I told her to come back for
it-she didn't come. I drove it down
to the store. The place was dark and
locked up. They were gone-God
knows where. I seen Bull Page. He's
sober-scared to death for fear they'll
hang him."
"Where are your hostlers?" de-
manded Selwood, upset. 90
"Out with them dashed Vigilantes-
couldn't hold 'em back-not a man.
Jack Of 'em. Lefever's got his team
sters over in the warehouse and the
clubhouse"
The gambler hardly heard the an
swer. A panic had seized him. Too
late he realized the danger to which
Christie had been exposed-the dam
ger to which he had left her,
He ordered McAlpin to putsout the
lights, close the barn, and shoot any
body who tried to- get in. Down street
he heard shouting; the Vigilantes
were coming to get the horse thief.
McAlpin, with all speed, was closing
the barn doors. Seiwood, STOPPING,
picked up the red handkerchief that
had fallen from Coles neck, and,
thrusting It into his pocket, slipped
around the corner Of the barn and
hurried up the hill.
A moment later he stood alone In
the center Of the gambling-hall. His
eyes, running over the room, fell on
the shelf behind his desk. There stood
the glass dome covering again the
good-luck shoe he had brought from
the Crawling Stone, and to which he
still stubbornly chung. He set aside
the dome and thrust the shoe into
his coat pocket. Turning, he saw on
the wall the print of the padre He
pried 1t loose, folded and put 1t into
a breast pocket, and, going back to
the middle of the room, drew down
the big center lamp.
It was large, old-fashioned kero-
sene lamp, raised and lowered, in it's
shiny frame, on sticky brass chains
and pulleys. OF all the lamps in the
hall, the big center lamp was Bull
Pages pride, and its glass bowl held
a quart of kerosene.
The lamp was hot. The blaze
scorched Selwood's eyes as he
looked into 1t. He lifted the bowl
carefully out Of the frame. and bal
anced 1t. Once more he looked about
him. Then, drawing back, he hurled
the burning lamp with both hands
far across the floor.
1t crashed into a thousand pieces.
There was a binding explosion. A
burst Of flame leaped toward the cell
ing. A hundred darling tongues
licked at the gaudy velour hangings
and ran like blazing powder up the
silken shades; they careened wildly
along the burning floor and wrapped
their curling arms around overstuffed
chairs and mahogany tables. Step by
step, Selwood retreated before the de-
struction At the door he paused-as
II to be sure the hall was doomed.
Then, running to his frightened horse,