The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-09-30
CHAPTER X-Continued

IL
Out of his eyes the tenderness died.
They grew hard and cold as ice. In
voluntarily he Strengthened his shout
ders. Then he sat down on the edge
of the cot to wait.
Wilson stopped in the doorway of
the office, taken by surprise. The wom-
an he saw was not the one he had
expected to see.
Ann Clifford, pallid to the lips, came
forward eagerly.
"Can you save him?" she asked.
"Well try" he promised.
'He didn't do it. l did. / can't
let them kill him. It's awful" Her
eyes closed for a moment, so that he
thought she was going to faint. But
she caught at the back of a chair and
steadied herself. 81 want to give my
self up. If they must hang somebody,
why"
The young mans eyes picked up two
others in the room, Jim VERIFY and
Phil Stark. He passed the question Of
her guilt as immaterial for the mo-
ment. The mob was in hanging tenn
per and would disregard any evidence
she might offer, no matter whether true
or false.
You boys here to help Mixer he
asked crisply.
"Tha's whatever, Wills" VERIFY an
swered promptly for both.
Good" Wilson turned to Mike. eff
Miss Gifford's story satisfies you, why
don't you turn Stone over to me as
deputy to slip him outa town? I'll be
responsible for him."
The jailer rasped his chin obviously.
"That amt bad idea either, if it's
not too late. You mean for the rest Of
US to stay an hold the jail"
MAKE bluff at it, yes"
Question is, have they got the Jail
surrounded? They've got dozen men
with rifles strung out in front" This
came from Phil.
81 just got in the back way. by the
creek bed," Wilson said. But We'll
have to hurry. Get Stone, Mike-an'
don't waste a second"
The Irishman nodded and left the
room almost On the run.
To young Stark his inherited enemy
gave orders. "Get Miss Clifford away
from here. I'll have Mike let you out
the front door. There won't be any
trouble with the guards outside.
They'll let you through, except maybe
to ask some questions. Take her to
the hotel. If yore sister isn't there
they will know where she is at. Get
hold of my brother Lyn an tell him TO
come up the creek with what men he
has gathered. When we hear an
owl boot twice We'll know he's there
an open the back door for him."
Ann demurred. II don't want to go.
I'd rather stay here so 1 can go out
and tell the mob he didn't do it. /
mean, if you and he don't get away"
THAT would sure do lot of good,
about as much as tryin' to persuade
hungry tiger not to make it's KILL"
Wilson scoffed. His harsh voice soft
ened. IF you want to help, there's
way. Go to the hotel and tell yore
story. Or wherever Miss Stark is now.
She's likely gathered few good citi-
Zens. Stir 'em up to help"
"Well," she agreed doubtfully.
Rand came into the room with Stone.
The prisoners face was hard and i'm
passive as rim-rock. He looked round
the room and nodded to those present.
.0Raadv9o aSkod Wilson
The deputy sheriff handed revolt
yer to Stone. "Me, believe this young
lady's story. But I'm askin' you to
give yoreself up whenever Hank calls
for you, Dave"
YES" the Texan promised
Rand led the way to the back door
through the corridor. He unlocked the
heavy door and stepped outside. A
bullet flattened itself against boulder
two feet from him.
Nothing doing, Mike" voice
called from the brush across the creek.
''We've got you covered good an
plenty"
The deputy stepped back into the
corridor and closed the door. "Too late.
They'd get you both sure" he said.
YES agreed Mccain. mo chance"
They returned to the Office. They're
.N4h ~ h aI-