M
Y LAW Of
TUE S0UTIH1
-V -sV . vi, ' N :':yrr. '., t
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MAX IN THE TUNNEL.
I HAD nn hour then In which to at
tempt the solving of this mys
tery and still retain opportunity
for escnpe. To my mind there
rwnained only the underground pas
unge to search, and I proposed making
my search thorough in every particu
lar. I went bnck to the front chamber
treking my revolver, but found no
trace of It A bit uneasy at bring
weaponless, I took the precaution of
glancing again into each room to re-
assure myself of the emptiness of all
before plunging into the tunnel.
The Jlre screen moved enslly. and I
propped it back with a chair so it
could not bo closed upon me without
iraman aid and lit the lantern, which
hod apparently remained undisturbed
Hlnce our last trip that way. The
Mliaft leading down was black and
Hilent, and I held the yellow flame
higher to examine the iron bnrs ar
mnged ladder-like along the back wail.
I bad scarcely thought of this scrious
, V before, but now I observed there
were three of tltese steps and that the
third was a wide strip which extended
Jrtong the side hall. This rather pecul
iar arrangement aroused my curiosity,
nud I clambered up, discovering a
somewhat similar bar at the top of
the shaft, which gave me a band hold,
bus enabling me to walk the lower
ttoip. A single step revealed the de
Option of the appearance from below.
Before me was painted canvas, not
rock, and the framework to which it
was nailed yielded instantly to my
ffmsp. The lantern revealed nothing
but n bare narrow closet, with a door
to the right. I clambered in and open
ed the latter, looking out into one of
rbose unoccupied rooms I had previ
ously examined. It was plain enough
now how the woman had disappeared
ho suddenlythe had slipped into this
ehamber and. by way of the closet.
fund eutraivro to the tunnel. And
here must he where she had hidden
Iwfore.
So complete was my feeling of se
earlty that 1 even came to a pause,
exploring my Jacket pocket for pipe
mid tobacco, experiencing a desire to
mnoke. 1 found these and was search
tg for a match when something seem
ed to whiz out of the blackness, crash
ed against the glass of tho lantern,
lastantiy whiffing out the yellow flame.
It was not a bullet, for there was no
rojiort, yet surely the woman could
nerer hare thrown a stone with so
precise an aim. This flashed over me
tostantly for 1 was given no time for
thought Something rushed at me
through the blackness, and we grap
pled each other in mad. desperate
Ntruggle, yet tho numbing senso of
fear left me ns 1 realized that my ad
versary was a man. 1
He was a man. yet he fought with
aB the ferocity of a beast. It was
God's mercy that I caught his wTlst
'n my grip and forced a knife from
uplifted hand. I heard It clatter
to the floor even ns 1 struck lilm with
tho lautcrn. Then It was naked
hands, the fellow clawing wildly for
mf throat, while I drove my list vl
wlously Into his fuce. I had nn advan
tn&o in this even lu that darkness, for
I' knew how to handlo my arms and
Uid him suliicleutly located to make
tmdercuts efficient I landed twice,
fce second blow sending him stagger
ing buck against the wall. But what
he lucked in science he made up in
sjrvagery, and he came back, clawing
nt me In the darkness and kicking vl
4ously at my body. Had 1 been ablo
ta nee I would bavo known I had tho
fellow whipped, but In that hole, fear
hig treachery or the use of somo
wnpon, 1 kept remorselessly at him
nntU be sank at my feet begging for
mercy under punishment. I soon relit
Mio lantern, and its rays revealed tho
face of my opponent. I loosened my
fflp, staring at him In amazement
IJto whiskers were torn In the truggle,
M.fn.ce bloodstained, but 1 could not
1
II 1 .
War
A. C McCLURG & CO.
doubt his Identity Daniels the moun
taineer. The woman bad disappeared van
ished as mysteriously as she had come
but here was this man creeping iuto
the house through the tunnel, knife in
hand, urged by the same spirit of hat
red, the same Insanity of revenge. I
could have trampled on blm ns upon a
snake. Even as he recognized me he
read the truth In my eyes and shrank
back against the rock wall, his arms
uplifted as if for protection.
"Was It you, lefteuant? By God. I
didn't know!"
"It makes no difference what you
knew," I returned hotly. "You made
no effort to find out. You tried mur
der, and there has been too much of
that done here already."
"What Is it you mean murder,
here?"
"Yes. and I have no doubt you know
more about It than I do. Three men
havo been assassinated here In the
dark stricken down by the knife, and
the fourth barely escaped with n seri
ous wound."
"Jlin-e J;IH(vlV Who were they?"
ITS BAYS KKVKALED TBB FACE OF MY or
PONKNT. "A Confederate lieutenant a private
of the Third Ohio cavulry and Judge
Dunn. The man Injured but not kill
ed was Jen Donald."
It seemed to me a new light almost
of exultation leaped Into tho gray
eyes, but It vanished Instantly. .
"My God!" ho exclaimed Incredu
lously. "Who did It?" '
I caught his wrist, staring straight
down Into his face.
"That Is what I want you to tell me,
Daniels." I said sternly "That feud
of yours Is at the bottom of this thing.
I um going to have the truth out of
you If I have to choke It out."
"As God Is my witness, leftenant. I
know nothing. I didn't even know of
the murders until you told mo. I've
known of this passage a long while,
and I've got reason enough to feel
hard against ther ol Judge, as well as
Jem Donald, but I've fought 'em fair
that is. fair nccordln' tcr tber way we
fight sich things out In ther mountings.
I nln't no murderer, an' I don't come
croepin' long In ther dark ter knife
anybody. I went for yer, but ycr bed
uie trapped yere In this hole, an' I
s'posed yer was one o thet outfit."
The evident earnestness of the man
brought me a certain measure of faith.
Yet I could not entirely free him from
suspicion.
"Where were you yesterday and last
'aiuaim Lost cuv." 6,.
pron;'ily enough. "Lns' nl.elit I took
u tuition to looi. up lu;. own pooou'."
1 suid n: hln.tr. and he went ou.
"They're juiny wol! denned out,
lefti'iiaiit-ki.'U'ii n u' skipped. Some of
V::j ;:re hidiu' out in iher mountings
r.'.i' Home lu'V pine inter thel ai'iny.
Doni ii' I niii't 'limit lliot's left I'd
'.'.'! !vf lll.lt ii'I
liiliu". Twixt
iho;
w;tr an' Iv.rJ
llh U. tlit'l Iionaid orowd
lias jusi 'Una
UIV elill'tl l.) ).'
i'e go; nil upon his
I;: ; ..ii.v o.ve bi:rr.i;;.i,r like two
;iC L:v. t . by "(Joj. sir. I'm
te;- In- ri'.kon'd v.; ill yit. im' ni"
l::niv:s ha.; i t a mighty hi-.:
io i' ,mt. Maylio i never
!r. ..id. I'll i;It Jem iMiiald if I
co:.!1
yor.'
m:i
ki:. i
toi : ct. 'i
!i;u iii lied."
u;-g--il Ciii'iii'stly, "I un
yi;.: f.'.'l, but 1 know
I cannot believe him
n;i mi. Com;' with mo
di'!, bow
l:i.:'l.! and
K'dli.v o:' such
10 JO'Tl
d and lot':; lind out the
tii.f.
Al'.
U-Uie
Wi.l you ibi th.i!
Daniels?"
!u. i on: my bMnd.
staii',; at un in a moment's si
apparently unable to tind expros
ilioii inoi'.th a.id eyes hardened.
"I re. bun niii j be yei" mean well," ho
Si.it!. "but ;,;r don't understand. I've
he.i h:..i;,'4 b'.iiac!! afore." his voice
iu .ru. -Ir.rt sor.iei'jin' 's happened tor
113 V wiUi
ii-.; un' the Lid;-; I can't lind hide
i o." Vm."
i vm; Jo not think they have
no:- !
' S1'
b(
'ii i!i;t::v'
-done away with?"
1't be tliv first time sioh a
no Tlier women tight ns
men In those mountings."
vo'.iU,;
tlJl!'.' UP '1
well (. ' the:
"Ye"." I iissoiit"l. remembering, "I
h:ie reason to bedeve it was a woman
Ip ctiniiniued the murders in this
!v.-,u."
1 i-unld hardly see the expression of
the iaan's '.ice in the miserable light
o' that si'ioklng hiiilcrn when he leap
ed forward gripplu;; me by the shoul
d r so tiereeiy that for the instant I
thought i an attack. His voice alone
lea-sure.! me.
"A woman!" he cried. "Are you
nitre 7 Did you see her?"
"Yes." I Hiiowered, beginning to un
derstand his suspicion. "1 saw her
twice II was the haggard face of nu
Insane woman, with gray hair and the
wildest eyes imaginable. I was trail
ing her Just now through this tunnel.
"What is it you suspect that it may
be your wife? Did she know of this
entrance?"
"Ye;." he almost sobbed, his head
lowered. "s1il know." lie stared about
Into the darkness, apparently dazed.
"Who else saw her? Did any one else
see her?"
"Only Jean Den-!ow."
"She saw her and said nothing?"
"There was not a word said. Dan
iels." He buried his face in his bunds,
swaying on his feet like a drunken
m.in Perhaps here and now wns the
ojipc-r. unify to end Ibis century feud.
"See li : e, Daniels," and I grasped
hini by the arm, compelling b'm to
.lift hi . fa; o ti the light. "I am not
ready to tlrid; !h!s was the work of
you-' rtife. In:! there eught to be some
way tu s:. it Would Jean Dens
low !:::' ii " '
"Ye.."
"Then on:e with me to Jean Dons
low. You are inrely not aTrald to
meet her. and r-hc will fell the truth."
"But yon say ihor house Is under
guard."
"True; but tho soldiers don't know
you. Miss Dctis'iow is here aioue; both
Do:i:;:d ami Calvert Dunn are absent.
1 pledge you my word no harm shall
befall ymi If you will go with me lit
once. If this strange woman Is your
wife .lean Donslow will know it. If
led. llieii vo must all unite to find out
who she is."
1 con id road the struggle lu his face.
"I'll go to her with yer. lefteuant,
I'll go. but I never thought I'd ever go
ter one o' thet breed on no mission o'
peace, an' Hume nie If I would to nary
one but her. I a Hers reckoned she was
squar. an' I ain't got no light with
her."
I could not wonder at his trepidation
for he was In the home of hereditary
foes, with only my word ns assurance
of safety. 1 heard the soft pressure
of feet on the stairs, and then the
swish of a dress In the hall.
"You!" she burst forth before I could
speak. "Lieutenant King, what Is this
man doing here?"
I caught tho extended hand, drew
her within tho room and closed the
door. She seemed to yield to ine with
effort,at resistance, hut stared into
Daniels' face with inexpressible hor
ror. "Miss Denslow, wait," I urged eager
ly, "wait and listen to my explana
tion. Daniels la not hero to do Injury.
No doubt you hnve been taught to con
sider him ns a deadly enemy, cruel and
vindictive, but ho is only a man who
lias been driven to nets of violence by
tho conditions of birth. Ho possesses
all the feelings natural to humnnlty
and Is here now In pence. Will you
listen to me? Will you hear tho story?"
"Yes," slowly, almost reluctantly. "I
will listen, but 0 it make him stand
whro lu Js."
le shall not move nntll I am done,
Hiss Jean, and I can explain all In
few words. You had scarcely left me
alone when this door was pushed open
and I saw reflected In the mirror there
the awful face of thnt woman who
feonis to haunt this bonne. I sprang
toward her, but tripped and fell,, so
that when I reached the hull she bad
vanished. I searched every room on
tho floor vainly. Although niy own es
cape depended on my getting nwny at
once, I did not daro leave you com
paratively alone here with thnt crea
ture at large. I found O'Brien on
guard below nnd set forth myself to
exploro tho tunnel once more. Half
way through I met Daniels. It doesn't
make any difference what happened
between us down there, nor how ho
rnjuc to ha there, but I told him about
Jind seen her. and be wanted to ask
you something. Will you answer blm?"
She looked r.t the man. wetting her
lips, her eyt-s opened wide in bewil
derment. "Yes." she said, "I will answer."
Daniels spoke with difficulty.
"Wal. mis-;." he said, farcing his
words out. "I ro Uon yer don't think
mine too much o' me, an' 1 'sped I
hi'V dcue ::o::,o pretty blame ineau
things, but tbey weren't u darn bit
meaner than what's been dune tor mo.
When I went o.T ter tber war I bed
a ea' in up on I.n-t Crick, whar I
thought it was safe, an' 1 left a wife
nn' three kbb; (bar awaitin' my cumin'
back. Las' nk,ht 1 got a eh:' nee ter
ride thet way. an' I found some hell
hounds hod burnt her cabin, an' either
murdered, ther woman an' ther kids,
or else drove "em imer ther hills. I
couldn't ult no trace o' them high er
low, an' I nafraliy laid it up ugln your
people. Now. miss, maybe I'm tough,
but i'm man enough ter care a heap
for my wife an' ther kids jlst ther
same, an' I started out ter find what
hod become o' them. Thot's what
fetched me yore, an I 'onie fight In'
mad. I reckon yer know what we
uns are In ther mountings, an' how
hard we hate. Wal, I never hated no
worse than 1 do now."
"Mr. Daniels," she broke In, "I have
been taught to fear you, but I am not
afraid now," and she looked quickly
from his face into mine. "You seem
to think that we thnt Jem Donald
has burnt your cabin, driven your fam
ily out; but it is not so. I know It Is
not so. I I am Just as sorry as any
one to bear this indeed 1 am. for I
have met your wife. She she was
kind to me once, .veal's ago."
The man choked, much of the stern
ness gone from his hapgard face.
"Yes, she told me 'bout thet, nn it
was because you'd know her thet I
klin yore ter question yer. The-r leften
ant says you saw ther woman who
has been nuirderin' In this house. If
yer did, I want yer ter tell me ther
truth-was It Maria?"
"Yom, I I saw the face!" she an
swered, shuddering. The very mem
ory seemed painful. "An awful face,
scarcely human. It wns white nud
haggard, with wild black eyes nnd
wisps of pray hair dangling on either
side. It seemed to me like a vision of
hate, nnd I cannot banish the recollec
tion from my mind. But but I never
saw thnt face before never; ns God
hears Tne. It was not your wife."
A long moment the mountaineer
looked ut her, apparently seeking the
truth In the girl's eyes, then he col
lapsed into tho chair, shuddering as he
burled ids face In his hands.
I could scarcely realize tho truth
that this grim mountaineer, savage in
cruel Instinct, utterly devoid of hu
man tenderness, responsive only to
the demands of the blood feud, was
yet at heart a real man, his heart
wrur.g by sorrow ami weak as a child
lu suffering.
"I n'.u so glad I can assure you of
this, Mr. Daniels." she said softly.
never saw your wife except that
oii'o. But she was kind to me when
I needed Mildness, and I have never
felt the same bitterness since. Surely
betwt-i.ii you and u:e there is no
ipuirr;'!. I would rather help than in
jure you. Will you not take my
hand?"
The rnan raised his head, staring at
her in astonishment.
" Yer mean, miss, we are ter bo
frler.ds?"
"Certainly. Why should we remain
enemies?"
"I I don't understand." lie stain-,
tnered. "Ther feud, ther yearn of
light in". Don't yer suppose I know
who jcr ho?"
"Yes. of ior.:?e you know." her slen
der form straightening, but her hand
Bllll outstretched. "Yet If I can for
get nnd forgive so can you. I want
to net nnd feel like a woman, not a
fiend. I don't hate you, Bill Daniels. 1
don't hate your wife or your children.
I would rather do you good than' evil.
Can't you understand that? Can't you
forget who I am and accept my hand
In the same spirit with which I offer
It?"
As God is my witness, there were
actually tears shining in the man's
cold gray eyes, but I thought he would
never move, never answer. He ap
peared paralyzed, stricken motionless
and speechless. Then bis band, which
hud been convulsively gripping the
arm of the chair, seemed to steal forth
without volition, touched hers and
clung to It lu pitiful uncertainty.
(To Bo Continued.)
In Police Court.
Tom McCarthy was found yes
terday nfetrnnon by Chief Rainey
beastly intoxicated, or, in more
euphonious language, slightly
inebriated, at least to the extent
that his propellers would no
longer perform their function.
Tom was hauled beforee l'olic
Judge Archer this morning and
teh proper remedy applied under
the law. The young man was as
sessed .?2 and costs taxed nt $3,
a total of $5. He was given till
Friday to raise the money.
Mrs. J. II. Kuhns visited the
metropolis this morning, going on
No. 15 for a few hours.
CASTOR I A
For Infants and Children,
The Kind You Have Always Bo'tglil
Bears the
Bignaturo of
.T
traw
We just received a case of panama straw hats
Saturday direct from the importers, but straw hats
are not on the program just now. Just now its
Overcoats and Winter Suits at such genuine money
saving reductions that the diflerence will buy you
the best panama in the store next esji Pft
slimmer. We're makinp a final 8 Q
ciuMn in ui i uuu overcoats
Also some Winter Suits to close at the same
price. You can't afford to miss these bargains.
. Wes
Always the Home
MYNARD.
(Special Correspondent.) !
W-W"IIK-:-W-H"HM-I
The warm weather for the past
two days has melted the snow and
made the roads very bad to travel
over.
Mrs. Hen Marler lias been con
lined Jo her bed for several days
on account of grippe.
William Fight shipped a ear
load of horses to the South Oma
ha market Tuesday.
Kleven of the Mynanlit.es at
tended the Knights and Ladies of
Security meeting at l'lallsniouth
Monday evening.
Lewis Crabtreee and niece, Mrs.
Irons, nt tended the funeral of
Calvin Crablree's wife, held at
Klmwood last week.
.lull n Schwartz is packing his
goods preparatory to moving to
Canada.
Daniel Riser of Wakeoney,
Kansas, is visiting friends in this
vicinity for a few days. He ex
peels to return to the land of
sunlliiwers in the near future.
Frank Mailer of Murray was
called to Mynard on account of
Hie illness of his mrtf her.
Henry Johnson and family will
move to the farm, three miles
west of town, known as the Riser
farm, where be will engage in the
poultry business.
A goodly number of farmers
have shelled and delivered corn
to I he local buyers.
V. T. Hicbardson is making a
much needed improvement, in the
rear of his store building.
Warren Toulinc visiled in our
town for a few hours Monday.
Frank Harnard of (ilenwood,
Iowa, brother of our genial
townsman, Charles Harnard, is
visiting in the neighborhood for
a few days.
A milling match, conducted by
I.ee Cole, last Saturday evening,
resulted in the lucky No. 37
drawing a pump gun, and Mr.
Ciles I, air carried the article
home.
"Jacob Hongon shipped a carload
of fat cattle to the South Omaha
market. Monday.
The snow is melted off the fall
wheat and the wheat never looked
belter at this time of the year.
For Salel
Team of mules, harness and
wagon for sale, (iood mules and
harness and wagon new. Address
Alex Campbell, .
floute 1, Plattsmouth, Neb.
It is rumored that the Nehawka
Commercial club contemplates
putting on a tiddlers' contest.
Through Sleepers to California
ThrmiKli Hleepem aro now operated to California vlu Denver Boolc
Colorado and Salt Loko City.
TO I.ON AMilXI-.S VIA N.tl.T I.AKK HOITMi
Kvery day tlirouKli Tourlm Rloepora. DuyllKht rldo through Scenic
Colorado with hulf day stop-over In Suit Lake.
to i, os v;i:i.i:n via siiitiikii pacikici
Kvery day through Tourist Sloeper nervier with poinonally conducted
lliroiiith nliH-prrn to l.on AnKrlrn TiioMduys, ThursdayH nnd Sundays.
Daylight ride through Scenic Colorado nnd Salt Lake
TO S KIIA(IS('0 VIA WI'ISTRHN PACIFICi
Through Tourist Sleopora evory Wednesday, Friday nnd Saturduy, via
Denver, Scenic Colorado, Salt Lake and Feather lilver Canyon
TO I.OS ANOI'.l.l'.S VIA SANTA FE IIOI TIOi
Terminally conducted through Tourlut .Sleepers every Tuesday via Don-
vor, Santa Fo route.
TIIMOt Oil STAMIA It I) SI.i:i:i'KltS TO SAX FIIAM ISCOi
Kvery day through Standard Sleepors via Denvor, Salt Lake ana
Southern I'liclflc. Daylight ride through Scenlo Colorado.
Let mo toll you ahout our through aleeplng carg to Callfornlu. aluo
to all Northwest territory via Billings, Mont.
SS3
l!ti!li;
R. W. CLEMENT, Agent.
1. W, WIKEU, Eueial Pissenger Agent, Ontii, Meb.
Hats?
in tne pi
coifs
of Satisfaction
UP E
Street Car Conductor Had Cloee
Call From Being Shot
by Robber.
J. X. While, residing at 2403
Harney street, Omaha, a son-in-law
of William llisbel of this city,
had an experience with a high,
wayman Monday evening which
be does not care to have repeated.
The Omaha Daily News gives tho
following account of the alTair:
"J. X. While, a conductor living
al 2i0:i Harney street, was ac
costed early Monday evening by a
strange man, who ordered him to
throw up his hands, and then
look a shot al him. While wb
silling in his car al the end of
the line when a man tapped on
the window pane. White turned
around and saw a revolver point
ed at him and heard the man
without say, 'Hands up.' Heforo
While could comply with the ban
dit's request, the latter shot at
him through the window, the bul
let narrowly missing him."
Mr. White 'phoned to his
father-in-law yesterday that tho
bullet grazed bis band. Whito
formerly resided in this city and
barbercd with Charles Martin for
a I line.
Married by Judge Boeson.
From WcdnoHduy'H Pnlly.
Marriage license was issued
yesterday afternoon by Judge
Hee.son for Charles Allen Whiting
and Mrs. Her! ha Hackus, both of
Omaha. Judge Hecson was called
on to perform Um ceremony,
which he did in bis most pleasant
style. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting do
parted on the M. I for their home
in Omaha last evening. When
the spring breaks up they expect
to move to a farm in Seward
county. The happy couple took
wild them one of the judge's most
handsome marriage cert ideates.
At T. J. Sokol Hall.
From WediK'dduy'B Dally.
The last dance before Lent oc
curred last evening at the T. J.
Sokol hall and wad a very enjoy
able event. Out of thirty-live in
vitations sent out, thirty-four
couples were present. The music
was furnished by the M. V. A.
orchestra nnd consisted in some
of the finest selections this pop
ular musical organization can
produce. Refreshments wore
served. The festivities began at
8 o'clock and ceased promptly at
midnight.
Sons
OMAHA IN HAS A
MINCE
