Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-08-29

wife. Terrified, clutching at each
other, they huddled on the floor there
Hours passed, or a period that seemed
ike hours. Outside the shooting con
tlnued, but as darkness settled it grew
Tess intense and finally ceased. There
was the sound of running feet and
much shouting. The MacReadys heard
someone say: 'Lynchers p And the
cry was Immediately taken up and re-
peated by dozen Threats.
Minutes later a dull glow showed
against the curtain. Lee crawled
across the floor and peeped out.
They've hung three men," he re-
ported. His face was white. "And
they've built fire and are celebrat.
ing"
Mrs. MacReady gasped and slumped
Forward. Lee picked her up and car
RED her to the bed. After a while
she regained consciousness, but was
TOO weak to move. Lee lay down
beside her and did what he could to be
a comfort. A long interval passed,
and then the red glow grew faint and
died. The sound of shouting dimin-
ished and presently there was still
ness. For the first time Lee relaxed.
he lay for long time, expecting to
hear footsteps approaching their room,
or a renewal of the hubbub in the
street. AT length, overcome by COM
plete exhaustion, the MacReadys slept.
Day had come when they awoke.
Lee climbed off the bed and timidly
lifted up the curtain. 1t was some
what of shock to discover a quiet,
unassuming and peaceful country
hard to believe that the horrors of the
night before had actually taken place
here. A hundred yards up the street
three limp bodies swung in the breeze.
Lee shuddcred and turned away.
Come on" he said. Let's get out
Of here"
Below>stairs a pleasant-faced young
man was standing behind the desk. 1t
was only when he spoke that the Mac
Readys recognized their host of last
night, without his beard. He smiled
at them.
Enjoy our little celebration?" he
asked. II gave you the only front room
we had left, so you could get a good
view."
Lee merely stared. Celebration
he said, sounding ridiculously like an
echo.
The young man nodded "Of course,
being from the East, you wouldn't
know about Dusty Rembrandt. Worst
bandit this section of the country ever
knew. Twenty-Five years ago today
he was captured and hung with two
of his henchmen. We celebrate. the
event every year by staging a pageant
exactly as it happened on that men,
orable day. Those dummies you see
hanging in the square represent Rem
brandt and his lieutenants. The old
stage is, the one used to bait the out.
laws into town. Sheriff Wells, the
man who made the capture, led yes
terday's posse" The young man
laughed. ITS a great day here. All
the men grow boards and the women
wear calico dresses. The affair winds
up with bonfire and then a dance at
the circle r ranch"
Lee gulped and stared at his wife.
Mrs. MacReady said: "Then-then it
wasn't real?'
The young man shook his head.
Looked almost real, didn't it?" he said
proudly.
An hour later the MacReadys
bumped out of town in their car and
on their faces were expressions diff
cult to describe. Presently they came
to a crossroad and Lee pulled up.
"We'd better turn here" he said, land
get back to the main automobile
route. It'll be easier driving and I
guess things of exciting nature are
just as apt to happen there as any
place."
Mrs. MacReady nodded sadly. There
was disappointment in her face. II
guess So" she said.