Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1920 — Page 2

The Devil’s Own

A Romance of die Black Hawk War

CHAPTER Xlll—Continued. —l4— I! "Whole caboodle workin’ like a eharm.'' he said, good humoredly. Thought onct the deputy might show mp ugly, but a quart o’ red-eye sure Mixed him—that’s our party a cornin’ now. Ye’re ter stay right whar ye are." They were advancing toward us up the bank which sloped down toward She creek. Rale moved forward to meet them across the little open space, and a moment later, from my hiding place among the motionless horses I became able to distinguish' the slowly approaching figures. There were four tn the party, apparently from the garb two men and two women. The second man might be the preacher, but if so, why should he be there? Why should his presence at this time be necessary? Unless the two main conspirators had ■pedal need for his services, I could conceive no reason for his having any part in the action that night. Had .1 been deceived in their plans? Even as _ this fear overwhelmed me with consternation, I was compelled to notice how helplessly the first of the two women walked—as though her limbs refused to support her body, even though apparently upheld by the grip of the man beside her. Rale, joining them, Immediately grasped her other arm, and, between the two, she was impelled forward. The saloonkeeper seemed unable to restrain his voice. “Yer must’r give her one b— o’ a dose,” be growled, angrily. “Half o’ thet wud a bln’ nough. Why, d— IL she kin hardly walk.” “Well, what’s the odds?” it was Kirby who replied sarcastically. “She got more because she wouldn’t drink. We ibad to make her take IL and it wasn’t |no easy job. Gaskins will tell you that Have you got your man here?” “O’ course; he’s waiting’ thar with the bosses. But Tm d—d if I like (this. She don’t know nuthin’, does ■her “Maybe not now; but she’ll come ■round all right and she signed her .name. So there ain’t no hitch. She jaeemed to get worse after that Come •n, we can’t stand talking here; let’s get them off, Jack; there isn’t any time to waste. I suppose we’ll have to strap Jber into the saddle."

I held back, and permitted them to work, merely leading my own horse ■lightly to one side and keeping in his shadow. Gaskins brutally jerked the shrinking mulatto forward and forced Sier to mount one of the horses. She made some faint protesL the nature of which I failed to catch clearly, but the fellow only laughed In reply and ordered her to keep quiet Eloise uttered no word, emitted no sound, made no struggle, as the two other men lifted her bodily into the saddle, where Kirby held her, swaying helplessly against him, while Rale strapped her securely Into place. -The entire proceedings were so brutally cruel that it required all my Strength of will to restrain myself from action. My fingers closed upon the pistol in my pocket and every impulse urged me to hurl myself on the fellow, trusting everything to swift, bitter fight. I fairly trembled In eagerness to grapple with Kirby, hand to hand, and crash hip helpless to the earth. “Thar,” said the saloonkeeper, at In at, testing his strap. “I reckon she can’t fall off nowbow, even If she don’t sit up worth a d—v Go ahead now, Moffett”

Both men stepped aside, and I led my horse forward. The movement brought me more Into the open, and face to face with Kirby. By some trick of fate, at that very Instant a stargleam, piercing through the screen of leaves overhead, struck full into my eyes. With an oath he thrust my hat back and stared straight at me. I could not see the mingled hate and horror glaring in the man’s eyes, but there could be no doubt of his recognition. The acknowledgment found expression In a startled exclamation. “By God I—you, here!” That was all the time I gave him. With every pound of strength, with every ounce of dislike, I drove a clenched fist into that surprised face, and the fellow went down as though amstten by an ax. Even as he reeled, Ba|e leaped on me, cursing, falling to sndarstand the cause, yet instinctively realising the presence of'an enemy. Bls grip was at my throat, and, even as his fingers dosed savagely, he struck me with one knee in the stomach, and drove an elbow straight into my face, few negt instant we- were locked toso closely any blow became impossible, youth and agility waging fierce battle against brutal strength. Ithlnk X was his match, yet this 1 never knew—for all my thought centered In an effort to keep his hands from reed l *"* any weapon. Whatever happened to me, there must be no kilsrm, no noise sufficiently loud so as to attract the attention of sentries on jgnand This affstr must be fought out with bate knuckles and straining sinews—fought in alienee to the end. 1 Add him to me in a bear grip, but Ms overmastering strength bore me backward, my body bending beneath the ftraln until every mu?

“D — you—you sneakin’ spy!" he hissed savagely, and his jaws snapped at me like a mad beast “Let go! d — you—let go!" Crazed by the pain, I swerved to one side, and half fell, my grip torn loose from about his arms, but as instantly closing again around his lower body. He strained, but failed to break my grasp, and I should have hurled him over the hip, but at that second Gaskins struck me, and I went tumbling down, with the saloonkeeper falling fiat on top of me, his pudgy fingers still clawing fiercely at my throat. It seemed as though consciousness left my brain, crushed into death

“D — You, You Sneakin’ Spy!" He Hissed Savagely.

by those gripping hands, and yet the spark of life remained, for I heard the ex-preacher utter a yelp, which ended in a moan, as a blow struck him; then Rale was jerked off me, and I sobblngly caught my breath, my throat free. Into my dazed mind there echoed the sound of a voice. “Is thet ’nough, Jack? —then holler. D— yer, yer try thet again, an’ Til spill whut brains yeugot all over this kintry. Yes, it’s Tim Kennedy talkin’, an’ he’s talkin’ ter ye. Now yer lie whar yer are. Yer ain’t killed, be ye, Knox?" —- I managed to lift myself out of the dirt, still clutching for breath but with my mind clearing. “No; I guess I’m all right, Tim,” I said, panting out the words with an effort “What’s become of Kirby? Don’t let him get away.” “I ain’t likely to. He’s a lyin’ right whar yer dropped him. Holy smoke! sounded ter me like ye hit him with a pole-ax. I got his gun, an’ thet’s whut’s makln' this skunk hold so blame still—oh, yes, I will. Jack Rale; I’m just a achin’ fer ter let ye hav* it” “And the other fellow? He hit me.” “My ol’ frlen,’ Gaskins; thet’s him, all right.” The deputy gave vent to a short, mjythless laugh. “Oh, I rapped him with the butt; had ter do it He’d got hold ov a club somwhar, an’ wus goln’ ter give°yer another. It will be a while, I reckon, ’fore he takes much Interest What’ll I do with this redheaded gink?” I succeeded In reaching my feet and stood there a moment gaining what view I could through the darkness. The short struggle, desperate as it had been, was not a noisy one, and I could hear nothing about us to Indicate any'alarm. Kennedy had one hard knee pressed into Rale’s abdomen and the star-rays reflected back the steel glimmer of the pistol held threateningly before the man’s eyes. The horses beyond stood motionless, and the two women in the saddles appeared like silent shadows. I stood up once more, peering through the darkness and listening. Whatever was to be done I must decide, and quickly. “Have Rale stand up, but keep him covered. Don’t give him any chance to break away; now wait—there is a lariat rope hanging to this saddle; Til get it.” It was a strong cord and of good length, and we proceeded to bind the fellow securely in spite of his objections, I taking charge of the pistol, while Tim, who was more expert, did the job in a workmanlike manner. “Now gag him, Tim,” I said quietly. “Yes, use the neckerchief. That will do; all we can hope for la a few hours’ start.” “Is Kirby dead?” Tm afraid not, but he has got an ugly bump and lost some blood; his head strode a rock when he fell. It will be a while, I imagine, before he wakes up. How about your man?” He crossed over and bent down above the fellow, feeling with his hands in the darkness. “I reckon he's a goner, cap," he admitted, as though surprised. “Gosh, 1 must’r hit the cuss harder than I thonght—fair caved In his bed, the pore devil. I reckon it’s no great loss ter nobbody." •But are you sure he is dead? That win put a Afferent aspect on an this, Kennedy!" I exclaimed gravely, facing him as he arose to his feet. “That and the belief I now **

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER. IND.

By BANDAU. PARRISH

Astterßl •XhatHhMA” “SM b! Ab Mb MbbM” “Wim WMmaaß - Wm Um." an. ILLUSTRATIONS BY IRWIN MYERS

already consummated his plan of mar* riage with Miss Beaucaire.” “You mean he has —” “Yes, that he has forced the girl to assent to some form of ceremony, probably legal in' this country. I overheard enough between him and Rale to suspect it, at least, and she is even now under the influence of some drug. She hasn’t spoken, nor does she seem to know what is going on' about her. They strapped her into the saddle.” ,l The h — they did.” “It has been a hellish affair all the way through, and the only way In which I can serve her, if this is so, is by getting her away—as far away as possible, and where this devil can never find her again. What bothers me right now is your case.” “Mine? Lord, what’s the matter with me?” “Considerable, I should say. You can’t be left here alone to face the result of this night’s work. If Gaskins Is dead from the blow you struck him these two fellows will swear your life away just for revenge. Even if you told the whole story, what chance would you have? That would only expose us, and still fail to clear you. It would merely be your word against theirs —you would have no witnesses, unless we were caught” “I reckon thet’s true; I wasn’t thinkin’ *bout it” , “Then there is only the one road, to take, Tim,” I insisted. “We’ve got to strike the trail together.” “Whar?” “I cannot answer that now; I haven’t thought it out yet We can talk that matter over as we ride. I have a map with me, which will help us decide the best course to choose. The first thing is to get out of this neighborhefcd beyond pursuit If you only had a horse.” “That’s two critters down in the crick bottom. I reckon thet Kirby an’ Gaskins must’r tied ’em thar.” “Good; then you will go; you agree with me?"

“Thar ain’t nuthin’ else fer me ter do —hangin’ ain’t never bin nohobby o’ mine.” “Then let’s start,” decisively. “Pick up one of those horses down on the bottom and turn the other one loose. I*ll lead on down the trail and you can meet us at the ford —once across the Creek we can decide which way to travel; there must be four hours of -dartiw—• - ' ' I picked up the trailing rein of my horse and slipped my arm through IL Tim faded away in the gloom like a vanishing shadow. The young woman next me, strapped securely to her saddle, made no movemenL exhibited no sign of Interest; her head and body drooped, yet her hands grasped the pommel as though she still retained some dim conception of her situation. The face under her hood was bent forward and shaded and her eyes, although they seemed open, gave no heed to my presence. I touched her hands —thank God, they were moist and warm, but when I spoke her name it brought no response. I started forward on foot, leading my horse, the others trailing after through the darkness. Knowing nothing of the way, I was thus better able to pick the path, yet I found this not difficult, as it was rather plainly outlined by the forest growth on either side. The trail was clay with a few small stones embedded in IL and the horses made little noise in their descenL except once when Elsie’s animal slipped and sent a loosened bit of rock rolling down to splash in some pool below. We came to the bank of the creek at last, a narrow stream, easily fordable, but with a rather steep shore line beyond, and waited there a moment until Tim emerged from out the black woods at our right and joined us. He was mounted, and, believing the time had arrived for more rapid movemenL I also swung up into saddle and ranged the girl’s horse beside mine.

They were not stock to be proud of, yet they did fairly well, Tim’s mount evidently the best of the four. The going was decidedly better once we had topped the bank. We may have ridden for two miles without a word, for, although I had no intention of proceeding far in this direction, I could discover no opportunity for changing our course so as to baffle pursuit That Kirby and Rale would endeavor to follow us at the earliest opportunity was most probable. They were neither of them the sort to accept defeat without a struggle, and, after the treatment they bad received, the desire for revenge Would be uppermost Nor thus far would there be any difficulty In their picking up our trail, at least as far as the creek crossing, and this would assure them the direction we had chosen. Then suddenly, out at the mysterious darkness which dosed us in, another grove loomed up immediately in our front; and the trail plunged Sharply downward Into the depths of a rugged ravine. I was obliged to dismount and fed my way cautiously to the bottom, delighted to discover there was a smoothly flowing, narrow stream, running firom the eastward between high banks, overhung by trees. It was a disma!, gloomy spot, a writable am <

darkness, yet apparently the very place I had been seeking for our purpose. “Kennedy." "Right yere, sir. Lord, but it’s dark —found anything?” "There is a creek here. I dotft know where It flows from, but it seems to come out of the east. Ono thing is certain, we have got t« get off this trail. If we can lead the horses up stream a way and then circle back it would keep those fellows guessing for a while. Come here and see what you think of the chance.” "Ye let me go ahead with the nigger gnrl, an’ then follow after us, leadin’ Miss Beaucaire’s boss. By jemlny crickets, ’taln’t deep’ nough fer ter drown us enyway, an’ I ain’t much afeered o’ the dark. Thar's likely ter be sum place whar we kin get out up thar. Whar the h— are them bosses?” We succeeded in locating the animals by feeling and I waited on the edge of the bank, the two reins wrapped about my arm, until I heard the others go splashing down into the water. Then I also groped my own way cautiously forward, the two horses trailing behind me, down the sharply shelving bank into the stream. Tim chose his course near to the opposite shore, and I followed his lead closely, guided largely by the splashing of Elsie’s animal through the shallow water. Our movement was a very slow and cautious one, Kennedy halting frequently to assure himself that the passage ahead was safe. Fortunately the bottom was flrm and the current not particularly strong, our greatest obstacle being the low-hanging branches which swept against us. I think we must have waded thus to exceed a mile when we came to a fork In the stream and plumped into a tangle of uprooted trees, which ended our further progress. Between the two branches, after a little search, we discovered a gravelly beach, on which the horses’ hoofs would leave few permanent marks. Beyond this gravel we plunged into an open wood, through whose Intricacies we were compelled to grope blindly, Tim and I both afoot, and constantly calling to each other, so as not to become separated. I had lost all sense of direction, when this forest finally ended, and we again emerged upon open prairie, with a myriad of stars shining overhead.

0 CHAPTER XIV. , The Island In the Swamp. The relief of thus being able to perceive each other and gain some view of pur Immediate surroundings after that struggle through darkness cannot be expressed in words. We were upon a rather narrow tongue of land, the two diverging forks of the stream closing us in. So, after a short conversation, we continued to ride straight forward, keeping rather close to the edge of the wood, so as to better conceal our passage. Our advance, while not rapid, was steady, and we must have covered several miles before the east bdfean to show gray, the ghastly light of the new dawn revealing our tired faces. Ahead of us stretched an extensive swamp, with pools of stagnant water shimmering through lush grass and brown fringes of cat-tails bordering their edges. Some distance out in this desolation, and only half revealed through the dim light, a somewhat higher bit of land, rocky on Its exposed side, its crest crowned with trees, arose like an islaid. Tim stared across pt it, shading his eyes with one hand. “If we wus goln’ ter atop enywhar, cap,” he said finally, “I reckon thar ain’t no better place then thet, pervldln’ we kin git thar.” I followed his gaze, and noticed that the mulatto girl also lifted her head to look. “We certainly must rest,” I confessed. "Miss seems to be sleeping, but I am sure is thoroughly exhausted. Do you. see any way of getting across the swamp?” He did not answer, but Elsie instantly pointed toward the left, crying out‘eagerly: "Sure, Ah do. The lan’ Is higher Tong thar, ssayerh—yer kin see shale. rock.”

“So you can; it almost looks like a dyke. Let’s try it, Tim.” It was not exactly a pleasant passage, or a safe one, but the continual increase in light aided us in picking our way above the black water on either hand. I let my horse follow those in front as he pleased and held tightly to the bit of the one bearing Eloise. The island proved a small one, not exceeding a hundred yards wide, rather sparsely covered with forest trees, the space between these thick with undergrowth. What first attracted my gaze after penetrating the tree fringe was the glimpse of a small shack, built of poles, and thatched with coarse grass, which stood nearly in the center of the island. It was a rudely constructed, primitive affair, and to all appearances deserted.

"Hold the horses here, Tta; let me see what we have ahead first.” I approached the place from the,rear, peering in through the narrow openings between the upright poles. The light was so poor I was not able to perceive much, but did succeed in fully convincing myself that the dismal shack was unoccupied. The door stood unlatched and I pushed it open. A single glance served to reveal everything the place contained. Without doubt it had been the late abode of Indians, who, in all probability, had fled hastily to join Black Hawk in his foray up Rock river. What interested me most was a small bit at jerked deer meat which still hung against an upright and the rude stone fireplace to the center pf the tat, with an

opening above to carry away the smoke. I had found during the night a fair supply of hard bread in my saddle-bag, and now, with this additional gift of Providence, felt assured, at least, ft one sufficient meal. "It is all right, Tim, there Is no one here. An old Indian camp with nothing but a hunk of jerked deer meat left behind. Elsie, gather up some of that old wood yonder and build a fire. Kennedy and I will look after Miss Beaucalre.” It was bright day by this time, the red of the rising sun In the sky, and I could trace the radius of swamp land stretching about us on every hand, a grim, desolate scene even in the beauty of that clear dawn. We had been fortunate enough to approach the spot along the only available pathway which led to this little oasis, and a more secure hiding place it would be difficult to find. I felt almost at ease for the present and satisfied to rest here for several hours.

Tim assisted me in unstrapping Eloise, and lifting her from the saddle, and, as she made no effort to help herself, the two of us carried her to a warm, sunny spot beside thejvall of the hut. Her cramped limbs'refused to support her body, and her eyes, then open, yet retained that vacant look so noticeable from the first. The only change was in the puzzled way with which she stared into our faces, as though memory might be struggling back, and she was vaguely endeavoring to understand. Tim led the horses away and staked them out where they could crop the rich, dewy grass. After removing the saddles he followed the rfiulatto girl into the hut, and I could hear the murmur of their voices. I endeavored to address Eloise, seeking thus to awaken her to some sense of my presence, but she merely smiled meaninglessly, leaned her head wearily back against the poles and closed her eyes. It was a poor meal enough, although it sufficed to dull hunger and yield us some strength. Eloise succeeded in choking down a few morsels, but drank thirstily. It was pitiful to watch her, and to mark the constant effort she was making to force the return of memory. I bad Elsie bathe her face with water and while, no doubt, this refreshed her somewhat she only rested her head back on my coat, which I had folded for a pillow, and again closed her heavy eyes. The negress appeared so tired I bade her lie down and sleep, and soon after Tim also disappeared. I remained there alone, guarding the woman I loved. How were we to escape, burdened by this helpless girl, from pursuit which perhaps had already started from Yellow Banks? At all hazards I must now prevent this dazed, stupefied woman from ever again falling into the power of Joe Kirby. That was the one fact I knew. I would rather kill her with my own hand, for I was convinced the fellow actually possessed a legal right, which I could not hope to overthrow. However it had been accomplished, through what villainy, made no odds — she was his wife, and could only be released through process of law. He could claim her, hold her in spite of me, in spite of herself. No influence I might bring to bear would save her now from this contamination. It would all be useless, a thing for laughter. Her signature—of which Kirby had boasted —and the certificate signed by the dead Gaskins, would offset any possible efforts I might put forth. There remained no hope except through flight; outdistancing our pursuers; finding a route to safety through the wilderness which they would never suspect. I must find an unknown path, an untraveled trail. Our only hope lay in baffling pursuit, in getting far beyong Kirby’s grip. I dragged the map

I Remained There Alone, Guarding the Woman I Loved.

out from its silk wrapping and spread it forth on the ground between my knees. It was the latest government survey, given me when I first departed for the North, and I already knew every line and stream by heart. I became so interested in the prob* lem as to entirely forget her but, when I finally lifted my head, our eyes met, and I instantly read In the depths of hers the dawning of recognition. “Who are you?" she breathed increduously, lifting herself upon one hand. “Oh, surely I know —lieutenant Knox! Why, where am I? What has happened? Oh, God! you do not need to ten me thatl But you; I cannot understand about you. They—they said you died.” ■ ~ (TO B® CONTINUED.)

Bleak House, Broadstairs, when Charles Dickens lived flag some time io for sale by aucttaw

TAKE TIME TO SMILE

The Superior Air. “Is your boy Josh settling down to work?” “Not so’s you can notice Jt,” replied Farmer Corntossel. ‘Tm willin’ to bet that after the prodigal son got settled back In the old home he soon had the old folks kindo’ worried an’ shamefaced because they didn’t smoke his brand o’ cigarettes an’ couldn’t name the really pl’cher stars.” A Sincere Compliment. His Wife—What did little Mr. Peet say when you showed him that portrait of his wife? Psmear, the Portrait Artist —Not a word. The boob just looked at it in silence. His Wife—Good! It was so lifelike he didn’t dare to speak in its presence without permission. Quite Fetching. z "That Mrs. Giddersleigh is a stunning looking matron.” “So she is, and I heard a cynical bachelor pay her a fine compliment the other day.” “What was it?” “He said she was so good looking it was still safe for her to heave a little sigh and exclaim, ‘Dear me!. I’m getting old and ugly I’ ” His Opinion Not Fixed. Lawyer (examining prospective juror in criminal case)—Mr. Juror, have you any fixed opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused? Juror (emphatically)—Naw, I ain’t got no doubt but the guy’s guilty, but they ain’t nobody fixed me. No Longer an Instructor. “You haven’t suggested ‘a campaign of education’ recently.” “No,” replied Senator Sorghum. “I don’t dare. The folks out my way are getting to think they know more about politics than I do.”

DESCRIBED.

"Pa, what Is thrift." "Thrift, my boy, is what a man has to practice so that his wife may be extravagant.” Progression. The bolshevist in accents glad Each discontent will nurse. Remarking, "Things are going bad; Let’s try to make ’em worse!" Frank About It. "So you are engaged?” *Yes.” "How romantic. Is he your ideal?” “No,” said the girl, candidly, “merely the best offer I could get.”—Come Back. Preliminary Training. "Where are you going, Geraldine?” “To court to hear a breach of promise case tried. It’s the fourteenth I’ve attended so far.” “I’m surprised at you.” “Well, I never expect to have a breach of promise suit of my own, but if I ever do I’m going to show just as much quiet self-possession in the courtroom as the judge himself.” Running True to Form. Debs—He’s got a wonderful collection of old curios. It’s worth while to sco them. Gebs —Yes, I know it is. I met his wife at the dance the other night and I think she must be about the oldest curio he has. Hypercritical. "Dp you care for these movie ‘closeups?’ ” , “No,” replied the esthetic person. “They give you a fine chance to study, the expression on the star’s face.” —• . "Maybe so, but I can’t admire even the most beautiful woman when her face looks like a full moon.” At a Disadvantage. “I fear that lady candidate is going to beat me.” "Why »o?” r 7 “She’s giving reliable beauty hints to wimmen voters. What chance have I got with my piffling talk on hog ralstog and wheat?” . . Sensitive. "Poor thing! She’s so afraid somebody’s making fun of her.” "I know lt. Why, she’s so sensitive that when she goes to the vo she always avoids the laughing hyena.” -■ . •