Evening star., 1936-12-20
The Story Of a Perilons Night
BY w. Boyce Morgan

helpless in the situation that con-
fronted them and turned to Marjory.
We've got to get word to the sheriff
some way" he said The telephone
doesn't work at night"
mo. Service won't start again un-
til in the morning"
1T won't start then" Mother Cough
broke in. They cut the wires as soon
the they got here"
And they put Simon's car out of
commission" Ken went on, thinking
out loud, so we can't use it. wonder
if could start their car?"
They wouldn't be stupid enough to
leave it unlocked, Marjory pointed out.
You'd just get yourself shot If you
tried it."
Then there's only one thing to do"
Ken spoke determinedly. After they
are asleep tonight I'll steal out of the
house and go down to the highway.
flag a passing car. and get ride into
Sutter. The sheriff can be back here
before they're awake in the morning.
"Good!" cried Marjory. But you
don't need to walk. You can take one
of the horses"
Sorry" replied Ken, "but I can't
ride"
Then I'll CO." cried Marjory. THAT
would be better, anyway. because there
might not be car along the road for
hours. And if one doesn't come, I
can ride clear into Sutter."
mo-" said Ken decidedly. This
is no job for girl. I'm going"
Marjory's eyes flashed. What do
you mean, no Job for a girl" she de-
manded. II can do it as well as you
canl"
Now be reasonable. Marjory," said
Ken. They might hear the horse and
there's no telling what they'd do to
you II they caught you. And you're
Just getting over an illness and should
not be riding or 10 miles on cold
night"
Hes right, Marjory." said Mother
Cough. I'VE can't let you 60"
Marjory wasn't convinced, but she
yielded. They made their plans
quickly. Simon was to spend the
night in the kitchen, his shotgun close
at hand. The others would go to bed
and when the four outlaws had retired,
Simon would wake Ken.
Simon returned to the kitchen a
few minutes later and they explained
the plan to him. They spent the rest
of the evening in chairs around the
stove, talking in low tones, while the
loud, coarse voices of their unwel-
come guests sounded from the front
room. Once Simon went in to re-
plenish the fire in. the fireplace. On
his return he reported that three OF
the men were in an ugly mood.
At 10 O'Clock they deserted the
kitchen and climbed up the back stairs |
to the bed rooms, leaving Simon be-
side the big range. They had given |
Ken a room close to the back stair |
way. He said good night to the others, |
received their good wishes for the sue
cess of his venture and closed the door. |
THE room was very cold and Ken
did not undress. Instead, he
opened his bag and took out two
sweaters. 1t was cold out and he |
didn't want to be handicapped by his |
long fur coat on the walk to the
highway.
He threw himself on the bed and |
dozed in the darkness. too excited to |
sleep soundly. It must have been two |
hours later that he heard loud voices |
in the hall outside and the sound of |
the men making their way unsteadily |
to their beds. Then the house grew |
quiet again.
Ken got up and waited restlessly. |
After what seemed long time his |
door opened. It was Simon. Ken |
nodded without word and followed |
him into the hall.
Might as well go down the front |
stairs" Simon whispered. TITS
closer"
Ken agreed. He tiptoed down the
stairs with Simon at his heels. The
room below was almost completely
dark save for the light from the glow
ing embers in the fireplace. But Ken
had an uneasy feeling, which he tried
to throw OF. The men were safely