The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-20

horse cruelty across it's Hanks. Tn
 animal snorted and ieaped into tn,
 air. Like a big sack of meal, tn,
 man sailed into the afr and landed in q heap on the ground. Dona did not wait to see if hei victim arose. She sent the b1acI laundering up the back trail Would she be in time? The ques ton pounded in her brain to tn, beat of the black mares hoofs. stan's horse fairly flew up tn, rough path. darting around treei and curves with a swift grace Dona leaned forward eagerly ant let the mare set the pace. Througf the cut timber they raced and of into the growth that had not beer desolated by the ax.
 Out on the Pass Creek trail tn, black streaked. She knew wher, she was headed and her nostrili fiared as she strained at her loost bit. Dona felt a rush of exhiliara. ton as she watched the mare'i powerful muscles lift and fall. Sht was riding 8 great horse. Tn furry Of dust and loose stones Dona. burst from the trai and shot toward q clump of as. pens. She had seen group ot men ahead and knew what to ex. pect. She could make out the tree under which Bail was standing and the rope over the limb. Swergin saw her coming and rode out to meet her. He waved to the men to loosen up on tht rope.
 Dona slid to 6 halt before him She was close to the men and could see Ball standing straight and calm with the rope around his neck. What Is the meaning of this?' she snapped.
 "I'm having a hard time with these fellows" Swergin rumbled. Dona slid from her horse and pushed toward Stan. Swergin fol. lowed her. He winked at the men and they stood back. Placing her. mob.
 "You are going to turn this man loose," she announced evenly. "It's better to let him escape than to murder him!"
 "You see. boys!" swergin spoke to the men. You fellows will have to give up this wild Idea and do as the lady says"
 The men nodded and backed away a little more. The black mare had shouldered in and was nuzzling Stan's arm. With a sudden move- ment, Swergin leaped toward Dona. She whirled and her gun came up with 6 snap. The big timber boss slid to halt and his face went white.
 Put up that gun!" he gritted. "You'll shoot somebody"
 / T certainly will" Dona's voice was hard. Slowly she backed around behind stan, her gun wav- ering over the men. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out pocket knife. Opening 1t deftly with one hand. she slashed his bands, strand by strand. The men stood rooted to the spot, too astonished to move. Swergin wns swearing under his breath but he dared not move, as the black mug gle of her gun wavered over him more than any of the others.
 Stan's hands came free and he tossed the rope from his neck. With a swift movement he stepped forward and jerked one of Swer- gins guns from it's holster. Back ing away, he motioned Dona to mount the black. She climbed up her gun still steadily playing over the men. Stan spfang up behind her. His gun was not very steady but it was q threat. His numb hands were unable to master 1t as he should have, but no one in the group facing them cared to test his aim.
 The black mare whirled sudden ly and was off like @ flash. Three leaps took her to cover and Stan lowered his gun. He saw that Dona had dropped hers and that she had slumped forward over the saddle horn. He slipped an arm around her and held her thus while the mare fled to the safety of the high country.
 Stan placed several miles be- tween him and the posse before he halted. He doubled Lack and rode across his trail to come out on the same side of the slope as the mon had been on. At Q cool spring he dismounted and carried Dona to a grassy bank. Laying her down gently, he brought cool water in his cupped hands and began bath ing her face.
 Her eyes fiickered open and she sat up. Stan smiled as the girl stared at him with a foolish look on her face.
 "I thank you" he said simply.
 Dona mopped the water from her face. It was face that mir rored mingled emotions.
 T seem to be 0 prisoner again, !" she said and little smile puckered her full lips. ..
 ''Not for longer than you wish." he replied. :.
 "Then I must get home at once." the girl said and stood up shakily.
 Stan Ball bowed and offered her 6 steadying hand which she grasped. The inconsistency of Dopa's actions made him smile. She had rescued him and now she wanted him to take her into camp in broad daylight. an act thot would be sure to place him once more in the very danger rom which he had just escaped.
 (To Be COntinucd)