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Hampton is scarcely comprehensible.
IJo you truly believe In his reform?"
"Certainly. Don't you?"
The direct return question served
to nettle and confuse him. "it Is,
jerhaps, not my place to say, as my
future happiness does not directly de
pend on the permanence of his
reformation. Dut if his word can be
depended upon, your happiness to a
very large extent does."
She bowed. "I have no doubt you
can Bafely repose confidence in what
ever he may have told you regarding
me."
"You indorne, then, the claims he
advances?"
"You are very insistent; yet I
know of no good reason why I should
cot answer. Without at all knowing
the nature cf those claims to which
you refer. I have no hesitancy in say
Ins that I possess such complete con
fidence in Bob Hampton as to reply
unreservedly yes. But really, Lieut.
Brant, I should prefer talking upon
some other topic. It is evident that
you two gentlemen are not friendly,
yet there is no reason why any mis
understanding between you should in
terfere with our friendship, is there?"
She asked this question with such
Perfect innocence that Brant believed
she failed to comprehend Hampton's
claims.
"I have been informed that it must,"
he explained. "I have been told that
I was no longer to force my attentions
upon Miss Gillls."
"By Bob Hamptont
"Yes. Those were, I believe, his ex
act words. Can you wonder that I
Jbardly know how I stand in your
sight?"
"1 do not at all understand," she
faltered. "Truly, Lieut. Brant, I do
not. I feel that Mr. Hampton would
not say that without a good and suf
ficient reason. He is not a man to
be swayed by prejudice; yet, what
ever the reason may be, I know noth
ing about it."
"But you do not answer my last
query."
"Perhaps I did not hear It."
"It was: How do I stand in your
sight? That is of far more impor
tance to me now than any unauthor
ized command from Mr. Hampton."
She glanced up into his serious face
shyly, with a little dimple of returning
laughter. "Indeed; but perhaps he
might not care to have me say. How
ever, as I once informed you that you
were very far from being my ideal,
possibly it may be my duty to qualify
that harsh statement somewhat."
"By confessing that I am your
ideal?"
"Oh, indeed, no! We never realize
our ideals, you know, or else they
would entirely cease to be ideals. My
confession is limited to a mere admis
sion that I now consider you a very
pleasant young gentleman."
"You offer me a stone when I cry
unto your for bread," he exclaimed.
""The world is filled with pleasant
young men. They are a drug on the
"I Have Been Told That I Was No
Longer to Force My Attentions Up
on Miss Giilis."
market. I beg some special distinc
tion, some different classification in
your eyes."
"You are becoming quite hard to
please," her face turned partially
away, her look meditaative, "and
and dictatorial; but I will try. You
are intelligent, a splendid dancer,
fairly good looking, rather bright at
times, and, no doubt, would prove
venturesome it not held strictly to
your proper place. Take it all in all,
you are even interesting, and I ad
mit I am inclined to like you."
The tantalizing tone and manner
nerved him; he grasped the white
hand resting invitingly on the grass,
and held it firmly within his own.
"You only make sport as you did
ence before. I must have the whole
truth."
"Ot, no; to make sport at such a
time would-be sheerest mockery, and
I would ' never dare - to be so free.
Why, remember we are scarcely more
than strangers. . How rude you are!
only our third time of meeting, and
you will not release my hand."
"Not unless Imust, NaidaJ and the
'"TT -T
mm
deep ringing soberness of his voice
startled the girl into suddenly uplift
ing her eyes to his face. What she
read there instantly changed her mood
from playfulness to earnest gravity.
"Oh, please do not do not say what
you are tempted to," her voice almost
pleading. "I cannot listen; truly I
cannot; I must not. It would make us
both very unhappy, and you would be
sure to regret such hasty words."
"Regret!" and he yet clung to the
hand which she scarcely endeavored
to release, bending forward hoping to
read in her hidden eyes the secret her
lips guarded. "Am I, then, not old
enough to know my own mind?"
"Yes yes; I hope so, yes; but it is
not for me; it can never be for me
I am no more than a child, a homeless
waif, a nobody. You forget that I do
not even know who I am, or the name
I ought rightfully to bear. I will
not have it so."
"Naida, sweetheart!" and he burst
impetuously through all bonds of re
straint, her flushed cheeks the inspir
ation of his daring. "I will speak,
for I care nothing for all this. It is
you I love love forever. Do you un
derstand me, darling? I love you! I
love you!"
For an instant one glad, weak,
helpless, forgetful Instant she did
not see hUn, did not even know her
self; the very world was lost. Then
she awoke as if from a dream, his
strong arms clasped about her, his
lips upon hers.
"You must net," she sobbed. "I
tell you no! I will not consent; I
will not be false to myself. You have
no right; I gave you no right."
He permitted her to draw away,
and they stood facing each other, !
eager, mystified, thrilling with pa?
sion almost beyond mastery, she tren.
bling and unstrung, her cheeks criit
son, her eyes filled wi-th mute ap
peal. "I read it in your face," he insisted.
"It told of love."
"Then my face must have lie.!,"
she answered, her soft voice tremu
lous, "or else you read the message
wrongly. It is from my lips you mus-t
take the answer."
"And they kissed me."
"If so. I knew it not. It was by
no volition of mine. Lieut. Brr.it, 1
have trusted you so completely; tfcat
was not right."
"My heart exonerates me."
"I cannot accept that guidance."
"Then you do not love me?"
She paused, afraid of the impulse
that swept her on. "Perhaps," the
low voice scarcely audible, "I may
love you too well."
"You mean there is something
some person, perhaps standing be
tween ?"
She looked frankly at him. "I do
mean just that. I am not heartless,
and I sincerely wish we had never
met; but this must be the end."
The end? And with no explana
tion?" "There is no other way." He could
perceive tears in her eyes, although
she spoke bravely. "Nor can I ex
plain, for all is not clear to me. Bu
this I know, there is a barrier between
us insurmountable; not even the pow
er of love can overcome it; and I
appeal to you to ask me no more."
It was impossible for him to doubt
her sober earnestness, or the depth
of her feelings; the full truth In her
words was pictured upon her face,
and in the pathetic appeal of her eye.
She extended both hands.
"You will forgive me? Truly, this
barrier has not been raised by me."
He bowed low, until his lips pressed
the white fingers, but before he could
master himself to utter a word in re
ply, a distant voice called his name,
and both glanced hastily around.
"That cry came from the valley,"
he said. "I left my horse tied there.
I will go and learn what it means."
She followed him part of the way
through the labyrinth of underbrush,
hardly knowing why she did so. He
stood alone upon the summit of the
high bluff whence he could look
across the stream. Miss Spencer stood
below waving her parasol frantically,
and even as he gazed at her, his ears
caught the sound of heavy firing down
the valley.
CHAPTER XXII.
Plucked from the Burning.
That Miss Spencer was deeply agi-'
tated was evident at a glance, while
the nervous manner In which she
glanced in the direction of those dis
tant gunshots, led Brant to jump to
the conclusion that they were in some
way connected with her appearance.
"Oh, Lieutenant Brant," she cried,
excitedly, "they are going to kill him
down there, and he never, did it at all.
I know he didn't, and so does Mr.
Wynkoop. Oh, please hurry! No
body ' knew where ycu were, , until I
saw 'your horse ' tied . here, and, Mr.
Wynkoop has beeri hunting for you ev
erywhere. Hd is", nearly J rantic,. poor
man. and I cannot learn, Where "either
Mr.'Moffat or Mr.' McNeil' is, and I
Just know ' those dreadful' creatures
will kill him before we can get help."
"Kill whom?" burst In Brant, sprinr-
ing flown tne bank rully awatened fo
the realization of some unknown
emergency. "My dear Miss Spencer,
tell me your story quickly if you wish
me to act. Who is In danger, and
from what?"
The girl burst into tears, but strug
gled bravely through with her mes
sage. "It's those awful men, the roughs
and rowdies down In Glencald. They
say he murdered Red Slavin, that big
gambler who spoke to me this morn
ing, but he didn't for I saw the man
who did, and so did Mr. Wynkoop. He
jumped out of the saloon window, his
hand all bloody, and ran away. But
they've got him and the town marshal
up behind the Shasta dump, and swear
they're going to hang him if they can
only take him alive. Oh, just hear
those awful guns!"
"Yes, but who is it?"
"Bob Hampton, and and he never
did It at all."
Before Brant could either move or
speak. Naida swept past him, down
the steep bank, and her voice rang
out clear, insistent. "Bob Hampton
attacked by a mob? Is that true,
Phoebe? They are fighting at the
Shasta dump, you say? Lieut. Brant,
you must act you must act now, for
my sake!"
She sprang toward, the horse, nerv
ed by Brant's apparent slowness to re
spond, and loosened the rein from the
scrub oak. "Then I will go to him,
even If they kill me also, the
cowards!"
But Brant had got his head now.
Grasping her arm and the rein of the
plunging horse, "You will go home."
he commanded, with the tone of mili
tary authority. "Go home with Miss
Spencer. All that can possibly be
done to aid Hampton I shall do will
you go?"
She looked helplessly Into his face.
"You you don't like him," she falter
ed: "I know you don't. But but you
will help him, won't you, for . my
sake?"
He crushed back an oath. "Like
him or not like him, I will save him if
be in the power of man. Now will
you go?"
"Yes," she answered, and suddenly
extended her arms. "Kiss me first."
With the magical pressure of her
Hps upon his, he swung into the sad
dle and spurred down the road. It
was a principle of his military train
ing never to temporize with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. He
reined up before the seemingly desert
ed camp, his horse flung back upon its
haunches, white foam flecking its
quivering flanks.
"Sergeant!" The sharp snap of his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. "Where are the men?"
"Playin' ball, most of 'em, sir, just
beyond the ridge."
"Are the horses out in the herd?"
"Yes, sir."
"Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man; bring them Into Glencaid
on the gallop. Do you know the old
Shasta mine?"
"No, sir."
"Half-way up the hill back of the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front of it. This is a matter of life or
death, so jump lively now.!"
He drove in his spurs, and was of?
like the wind. A number of men were
in the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These were minors mostly,
eager to have a hand in the man-hunt.
Here and there a rider skurried along
and joined in the chase. Just beyond
the hotel, half-way up the hill, rifles
were speaking irregularly, the white
puffs of smoke blown quickly away by
the stiff breeze. Near the center of
this line of skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise in spirals.
Brant, perceiving the largest group of
men gathered just before him, rode
straight toward them. The crowd
scattered slightly at his approach, but
promptly closed in again as he drew
up his horse with taut rein. He look
ed down into rough, bearded faces.
Clearly enough these men were in no
fit spirit for peace making.
"You damn fool!" roared one,
hoarsely, his gun poised as if in
threat, "what do you mean by riding
us down like that? Do you own this
country ?"
Brant flung himself from the saddle
and strode in front of the fellow. "I
mean business. You see this uniform?
Strike that, my man, and you strike
the United States. WTho is leading
this outfit?"
"I don't know as it's your affair,"
the man returned, sullenly. "We ain't
takin' no army orders at present, mis
ter. We're free-born American citi
zens, an ye better let us alone."
"That Is not what I asked you," and
Brant squared his shoulders, his
hands clinched. "My question was,
Who is at the head of this outfit? and
I want an answer."
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with a grin of de
rision. "Oh, ye do, hey? Well, I reck
on we are, if you must know. Since
Big Jim Larson, got it in the shoulder
this outfit right yere hes bin doin
most of the brain work. So if ye've
got anythin' ter say, mister officer
man, I reckon ye better spit it out
yere ter me, an sorter relieve yer
mind." 0
"Who are you?"
The fellow expectorated vigorously
into the leaves under foot, and draw
ing one hairy hand across his lips,
flushed angrily .to the unexpected In
quiry. "Oh, tell him, Ben. What's the
blame odds? He can't do ye no hurt."
The man's look became dogged.
"I'm Ben Colton, if ItH do ye any good
to know.".
' 'I thought I had seen ycu r some
where before," said Brant, contemptu
ously, and then swept his - glance
about the circle. "A nice leader ot
vigilantes you are, a fine representa
tive of law and order, a lovely sped-
men of the free - born American
citizen! Men. do yen happen to
know what sort of a cur you are fol
lowing In this affair?"
"Oh. Ben's all right."
"What ye got against him, young
feller?"
"Just this," and Brant squarely
fronted the man, his voice ringing like
Fteel. "I've seen mobs before to-day,
and I've dealt with them. I'm not
afraid of you or your whole outfit,
and I've got fighting men to back me
up. I never yet saw any mob which
wasn't led and Incited by some cow
ardly, revengeful rascal. Honest men
get mixed up in such affairs, but they
are invariably inflamed by some low
down sneak with an ax to grind. I
confess I don't know all about this
Colton, but I know enough to say he
is an army deserter, a liar, a dive
keeper, a gambler, and, to my certain
knowledge, the direct cause of the
death of three men, one a soldier of
my troop. Now isn't he a sweet speci
men to lead in the avenging of a sup
posed crime?"
Whatever else Colton might have
failed In. he was a man of action. Like
a flash his gun flew to the level, but
was instantly knocked aside by the
grizzled old miner standing next him.
"None o that, Ben." he growled,
warningly. "I don't never pay to
shoot holes in Uncle Sam."
Brant smiled. He was not there
Just then to fight, but to secure delay
until his own men could arrive, and
to turn aside the fierce mob spirit if
such a result was found possible.
"I really would enjoy accommodat
ing you, Colton," he said, coolly, feel
ing much more at ease, "but I never
fight personal battles with such fel
lows as you. And now, you other
men, It id about time you woke up to
the facts of this matter. A couple of
hundred of you chasing after two
men, one an officer of the law doing
his sworn duty, and the other inno
cent of any crime. I should imagine
you would feel proud of your Job."
"Innocent? Hell!"
"That is what I said. You fellows
have gone off half-cocked a mob gen
erally does. Both Miss Spencer and
Mr. Wynkoop state positively that
they saw the real murderer of Red
Slavin, and It was not Bob Hampton."
The men were impressed by his evi
dent earnestness, his unquestioned
courage. Several voices spoke almost
at once.
"Is that right?"
"Oh, say, I saw the fellow with his
hand on the knife."
"After we git the chap, we'll give
them people a chance to tell what
they know."
Brant's keenly attentive ears heard
the far-off chug of numerous horses'
feet.
"I rather think you will," he said,
confidently, his voice ringing out with,
sudden authority.
He stepped back, lifted a silver
whistle to his lips, and sounded one
sharp, clear note. There was a grow
ing thunder of hoofs, a quick, manly
cheer, a crashing through the under
brush, and a squad of eager troopers,
half-dressed but with faces glowing
in anticipation of trouble, carne gal
loping up the slope, swinging out into
line as they advanced, their carbines
gleaming in the sunlight. It was
prettily, sharply performed, and their
officer's face, brightened.
"Very nicely done, Watson," he
said to the expectant sergeant. "De
ploy your men to left and right, and
clear out those shooters. Make a
good job of it, but no firing unless
you have to."
The troopers went at it as if they
enjoyed the task, forcing their restive
horses through the thickets, and
roughly handling more than one who
ventured to question their authority.
Yet the work was over in less time
than It takes to tell, the discomfited
regulators driven pell-mell down the
hill and back into the town, the eager
cavalrymen halting only at the com
mand of the bugle. Brant, confident
of his first sergeant in such emergen
cy, merely paused long enough to
watch the men deploy, and then press
ed straight up the hill, alone and on
foot. That danger to the besieged
was yet Imminent was very evident.
The black spiral of smoke had be
come an enveloping cloud, spreading
rapidly in both directions from its
original starting-point. He arrived
finally where the ground was charred
black and covered with wood ashes,
still hot under foot and smoking, but
he pressed upward, sheltering his
eyes with uplifted arm, and seeking
passage where the scarcity of under
brush rendered the zone of fire less
impassable. He could see scarcely
three yards in advance, but to the
rear the narrow lane of retreat re
mained open. Standing there, as
though in the mouth of a furnace; the
red flames scorching his face, Brant
hollowed his hands for a call.
"Hampton!" The word rang out
over the infernal crackling and roar
ing like the note of a trumpet.
"Ay! What is it?" The returning
voice was plainly not Hampton's yet
it came from directly In front, and
not far away.
"Who are you? Is that you, Mar
shal?" "Thet's the ticket," answered the
voice, gruffly, "an' just as full o' fight
es ever.
Brant lifted his jacket to protect
his face from the scorching heat.
There was certainly no time to lose
in any exchange of compliments.
"I'm Brant, lieutenant Seventh cav
alry," he cried, choking with the thick
ening smoke. "My troop has scatter
ed those fellows who . were hunting
you. - 111 protect you and your prison
er, but you'll have to get out ot there
at once. Can you locate me and make
a dash for it? Wrap your coats around
your heads, and leave your guns behind."
CoiQflndleece
when eating, that your food is of
highest wholescmeness that it hzs
nothing in it that can injure cc
distress you makes the repast
doubly comfortable and satisfactory.
This supreme confidence you
have when the food is raised with
The only baking powder made
with Royal Grape Cream of Tartar
There can be no comforting confi
dence when eating alum baking pow
der food. Chemists say that more or
less of the alum powder in unchanged
alum or alum salts remains In the food.
2
The County
I ftpm it fienpral Ifttircct
Elmwood
From tbe Leader-Echo.
Walter, eldest son of Charles Branson,
is quite sick with typhoid fever.
Will Miller and wife rejoice over the
arrival of a baby boy at their home
Tuesday morning.
Wm. Buster was on the cripple list
several days this week, caused by run
ning a rusty nail in his foot.
Drs. Munger and Neely operated on
Mrs. McQueen, of Weeping Water, at
the Munger hospital Thursday morning.
T. H. Pollock was out from Platts-
mouth Friday disposing of a few thous- I
and dollars worth of telephone stock to 1
Elmwood people.
Mrs. Keifer, who has been confined to
Dr. Munger's hospital the past two
weeks for treatment, returned to her
home in Alvo Tuesday.
Mrs. Philip Stoehr, of Plattsmouth,
returned to her home yesterday after
noon, after a month's visit at the home
of her son, George.
Wm. E. Deck, a former resident of
Ithica, but now residing in Montana,
visited old friends here this week while
on his way home from Florida, the guest
of John Gerry Stark.
Miss Rose Russel died at the home of
her sister, Mrs. Wm. John, Wednesday
night, after a lingering3illness from
consumption. Funeral services will be
held from thh Catholic church this after
noon. L. F. Langhorst received a telegram
Friday from New Bremen, Ohio, an
nouncing the sudden death of his uncle,
Wm. Fricke, from paralysis. Mr. Fricke
visited his Elmwood relatives about two
years ago, and will be remembered by a
number of our citizens.
Suffering and Dollars Saved
E. S. Loper, of Marilla, N. Y., says;
"I am a carpenter and have had many
severe cnts healed by Bucklin's Arnica
Salve. It has saved me suffering and
dollars. It is by far the best healing
salve I have ever found." Heals burns
sores, ulcers, fever sores, eczema, and
piies. 25c at F. C. Fricke & Co's drug
store. Lcmisville
From the Courier.
Adam Renchlet was taken with small
pox Monday and the house has been
quarantined.
It is said the Manley State bank is j
doing a good business under the new
management. !
Night Operator Paulsen has rsturned i
to Louisville and again in charge of the
Burlington semaphore.
Frank Rand came down from Omaha
Monday evening to see his father who
is sick with pneumonia.
Judge Wood lost a valuable family
milch cow this week. The animal broke
one of its legs and had to be killed.
Drunkenness has been too common
on the streets of late and Monday
right the marshal scooped in a bunch
of the boys and Judge Wood handed
them a package the next morning
that they will not soon forget.
M. L. Williams received a letter from
Oklahoma stating that his mother has
so far recovered from her illness as to
be able to return home. Mr. and Mrs.
i r.
x , . , . i . I .. .
Exchanges
fra ftt PnlnrMt Psnf intra rU'
Williams will Btart for home on Wednes
day of next week.
Special Announcement Regardingthe
National Pure Food and Drug Law
We are pleased to announce that Fo
ley's Honey and Tar for cough colds,
and lung troubles is not effected by the
National Pure Food and Drug iaw as it
contains no opiates or other harmful
drugs, and we recommend it as a safe
remedy for children and adults.
The editor of the Memphis (Tenn.)
Times writes: "In my opinion Foley's
Honey and Tar is the best remedy for
coughs, colds and lung trouble, and to
my own personal knowledge Foley's
Honey and Tar has accomplished many
permanent cures thatf have been little
short of marvelous. " Refuse any but
the genuine in the yellow pac kage. For
sale by F. G. Fricke & Co.
Union
From the LcdKer.
Charley RatlifT went to Omaha Mon
day evening, to remain several days for
the purpose of having his ears tolerated
by a specialist.
Will Reynolds, who went up to Om
aha last week to have his ears treated
by a specialist, is reported to be get
ting along nicely.
Ed Stanton arrived Wednesday from
Gary, Ind., where he is employed a3 an
engineer in the large steel works. Hav
opportunity to get ten days vacation he
made a run for Union to spend the
time with his relatives and friends.
H. R. (Dick) Conrad departed last
Sunday night for Kansas City, and after
transacting some business there he con
tinued his journey to Corydon, Ind., to
visit his uncle, F. M. Bruce, with whom
Dick made his home in his boyhood days.
Mrs. Louise Mickle, who was in the
Nebraska City hospital the past few
weeks, has been slowly improving, and
was able to be brought home last Sat
urday. She is yet very weak, but it is
hoped that being at home and receiv
ing the best of care will be the means
of hastening her complete recovery.
Elmer Fimple, who works in the sec
tion crew under Foreman Geo. Holmes,
"took a header" off a hand car Monday,
resulting in his right ankle being badly
bruised and he received a general shak
ing up. He went to the company's
hospital in Omaha Monday evening,
accompanied by Foreman Holmes.
Edward Carper of Graham, Va.,
arrived on Tuesday from Lebanon,
Kansas, where he had been visiting his
aunt, Mrs. Nary F. Pell. He met
many of his old-time friends while here,
and drove out northeast of town to see
the old home where he spent his boy
hood days. Since leaving here six years
ago he has grown into a "great big
fellow" andhis numerous Union friends
are pleased to know that his integrity
and business ability have enabled him
to secure and hold responsible and pro
fitable position.
What to Do When Bilious
The right thing to do when you feel
bilious is to take a dose of Chamber
lain's Stomach and Liver Tablets. They
will cleanse the stomach and regulate
the liver and bowels. Try it. Price 25c.
Samples free at F. G. Fricke & Co'
drugstore.