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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 1911)
,4 era CTVy (Copyright, MoClurt i CHAPTER XL I The Fight In ths Dark. Had tht room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself ro longer. Whatever her past might fe, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died If nerd e In her defense. But as It was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence Sn the final outcome of this struggle In the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all. The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by ft frail and not overscrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed Ms men beyond sound; had doubtless Instructed tliein to Ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within. It was these very arrange ments for evil which now afforded op portunity, and Keith crept forward, ednrt and ready, his teeth clenched, tils hands bare for contest. Even al though he surprised his antagonist. It waH going to be a fight for life; he ftnew "Clack Bart," broad-shouldered, quick as a cat, accustomed to every form ot physical exercise, desperate nnd tricky, using either knife or gun recklessly. Yet tt was now or never Jot all of them, and the plainsman felt Bio mercy, experienced no reluctance. He reached the table, and stralgbA Tiod up, silent, expectant. For an nv utatit there was no further sound; no evidence of movement In the room. Hawley, puzzled by the silence, was listening Intently In an endeavor to thus locate the girl through some ruHt.ling, some slight motion. A knife, knocked from the table, perhaps, as the slipped softly past, fell clattering to the floor,' and the gambler leaped Instantly forward. Keith's grip closed like iron on his groping arm, while be shot one flat out toward where the man's head should be. The blow glanottd, yet drove the fellow back ward, stumbling against the table, and Keith closed in, grappling for the throat The other, startled by the unexpected attack, and scarcely real ising even yet the nature of his an tagonist, struggled blindly to escape the fingers clawing at him, and flung one hand down to the knife In his belt. Warned by the movement, the assailant drove his bead Into the gam bler's chest, sending him crashing to the floor, falling himself heavily upon the prostrate body. Hawley gave ut terance to one cry, half throttled to his throat, and then the two grappled fiercely, so Interlocked together aa to make weapons useless. Whoever the assailant might be, the gambler was folly aware by now that he was being crushed In the grasp of a fighting man, and exerted every wrestler's trick, very ounoe of strength, to break free. Twice he struggled to his knees, only to be crowded backward by relentless Ioer; once he hurled Keith side ways, but the plainsman's muscles stiffened Into steel, and he gradually regained his position. Neither dared release a grip In order to strike a blow; neither had sufficient breath left with which to utter a sound. They were fighting for life, silently, des perately, like wild beasts, with no thought but to Injure the other. The gambler's teeth sank Into Keith's arm, and the latter In return Jammed the iman's head back onto the puncheon floor viciously. Perspiration streamed ifrom their bodies, their fingers clutch ing, their limbs wrapped together, their musclea strained to the utmost. 'Keith had forgotten the girl, the ne :ro, everything, dominated by the one 'passion to conquer. He was swept by a storm of hatred, a desire to kill, in their fierce struggle the two had roll ed close to the Are place, and In the dull glow of the dying embers, he ould perceive a faint outline of the man's face. The sight added flame to his mad pasHlon, yet he could do nothing except to cling to him, Jab bing his fingers into the straining throat. The negro ended the afTalr in his own way, clawing li'tudiy at the mini liutants In the darkness, and llmi'iy. determining which was the enemy, he truck the gambler with the stock of Ms gun, laying him out unconscious. Keith, grasping the table, hauled hlm iwilf to his feet, gasping for breath, certain only that Hawley was no longer struggling. For an Instant all was b'ank, a mist of black vapor; then a realization of their situation came back in sudden flood of remembrance. Rvm yet he could see nothing, but felt the motionless figure at his feet "Quick," he urged, the instant he could make himself speak. "The fel low Is only stunned; we must tie and gag him. Is that you. Neb? Where Is the glrir "I am here, Captain Keith," and he heard the soft rustle of her dress across the room. "What Is It I may dor "k ooll of rope, or some straps, with a pleoe of oloth; anything you can lay hands on." She was some moments at ft, con tused by the darkness, and Hawley moved slightly, hla labored breathing rrnwtng plalnjj perceptible. Keith ATALE OF THE PLAINS RArtDALL PAPPISH-; Wmem Wilderness Was Kino. EYcCtc ILLUSTRATIONS DY UtABMBN P1CLVIU.- If 10.) neara ner groping toward him and held out his hands. She started as he thus unexpectedly touched her, yet made no effort to break away. "You you frightened me a little," she confessed. "This has all happen ed so quickly I hardly realize yet Just what has occurred." "The action has only rei'.ly begun," he assured her, still retaining his hold upon her hand. "This was merely a preliminary sMnnish, and you must prepare to bonr your p.irt in what follows. We have settled Mr. Ha-vle.y for the present, mid now must d.-al with bis gang." "Oh, what would I hare done if you had not been here?" "Let us not think about that; we were here, and now have a busy night before us If we get away safely. Give me the rope first. Oood! Here, Neb, you must know how to use this not too tight, but without leaving any play to the arms; take the knife out of his belt. Now for the cloth, Miss Maclnlre." "Please do not call me that!" "But you said It didn't make any difference what I called you." "I though It didn't then, but It does now." "Oh, I see; we are already on a new footing. Yet I must call you some thing." She hesitated Just long enough for aim to notice It Either she had no substitute ready at hand, or else doubt ed the advisability of confiding her real name under present circumstances to one so nearly a stranger. "You may call me Hope." "A. name certainly of good omen," be returned. "From this moment shall forget Christie Maclaire, and re member only Miss Hope. All right. Neb; now turn over a chair, and sit your man up against It He will rest all the easier In that position until hie gang arrives." He thrust his head out of the door, peering cautiously forth into the night, and listening. A single horse, prob ably the one Hawley bad been riding, was tied to a dwarfed oot ton wood near the corner of the cabin. Nothing else living was visible. "I am going to round up our horses, and learn the condition of Hawley's outfit," he announced in a low voice. "I may be gone for fifteen or twenty minutes, and, meanwhile, Miss Hope, get ready for a long ride. Neb, stand here close beside the door, and if any one tries to come In brain him with your gun-stock. I'll rap three times when I return." He slipped out Into the silent night, and crept cautiously around the end of the dark cabin. The distinct changs In the girl's attitude of friendship to ward him, her every evident desire that he should think well of her, to I geiner wun me proviueniiai opporiu- ntty for escape, had left him full of confidence. The gambler had played blindly Into their hands, and Keith was quick enough to accept the ad- vantage. It was a risk to himself, to be sure, thus turning again to the northward, yet the clear duty be owed the girl left such a choice almost Im perative. He certainly could not drag t her along with him on hla flight into the wild Comanche country extend ing beyond the Canadian. She must, at the very leant, be first returned to the protection of the seml-civlllzatton along the Arkansas. After that had been accomplished, he would consider his own safety. He wondered if Hops really was her name, and whether it was the family cognomen, or her given name. That she was Christie Maclaire he had no question, yet that artlstis embellishment was probably merely assumed for tho work of the concert hall. Doth be and Hawley could .aesrcely be mistaken as to her Identi fy in this respect, and. Indeed, she had never openly denied the fact. Yet she did not at all seem to be that kind, and Keith mentally contrasted her with numerous others whom he bad somewhat Intimately known along the border circuit. It was difficult to as sociate her with that class; she must nave come originaiiy rrom some exmr lent family Bast, and been driven to the life by necessity; she was more to be pitied than blamed. Keith held no puritanical views of life his own ex periences had been too rough and democratic for that yet he clung te nady t0 an ,Pal of womanhood which could not be lowered. However Interested he might otherwise feel, no Christie Maclaire could ever And entrance Into the deeps of bis heart, where dwelt alone the memory of Ills mother. He found the other horses turned Into the corral, and was able, from their restless movements, to decide they numbered eight. A Are, nearly extinguished, glowed dully at the farther corner of the enclosure, and he crawled close enough to distinguish the recumbent forms of men sleeping about tt on the ground. Apparently no guard had been set, the fellows be lng worn out from their long ride, and confident of aafetly In this Isolated pot. Besides, Hawley had probably assumed that duty, and told them to get whatever sleep hey could. How ',ee ii? or i;if rm.i, opptwii oe side their tire, and Keitn dare not venture upon roplu any of their ponies, or leading them oflt past where they slept. There n'.leht be clippers in the cabin with which he could cut the wires, yet if one of the gung awoke, and discovered the herd absent. It would result in an alarm, and lead to early pursuit. It was far saf, r to use their own ponies. He would lead Hawley's horse (juletlT through the water, and they could mount on the other shore. This plan settled, he went at It swiftly, riding the captured animal while rounding up the others, and fastening the three to stunted trees on the opposite bank. Everything within the cabin remained exactly as he had left It, and he briefly explained the situation, examlng Haw ley's bonds again carefully while do lng so. "He'll remain there all right until Ms men find him," he declared, posi tively, "and that ought to give us a good six hours start. Come, Miss Hope, every minute counts now." He held her arm, not unconscious of Its round shapeliness, as he helped her down the rather steep bank through the dense gloom. Then the two men Joined hands, and carrying her be tween them, wailed the shallow stream. The horses, not yet sufficient ly rested to be frisky, accepted theif burdens meekly enough, and. with scarcely a word spoken, the three rode away silently Into the gloom of the i'To Be Continued. Combine the Two Classes. From Saturday's Dally. The Young Men's class ami the Builders' club of I lie Presbyterian church held a meeting in their rooms at the church lust evening. This meeting was in the nature of a social affair, and was known as a peanut feed, although early the buys took their departure, there was some business matters transacted. The principal amuse ment was derived from an indoor game of baseball and created just as much interest and enthusiasm annum the boys as a game out of doors. The boys played a game of TJ innings and the score was to 3. Following this most strenuous game of base bat' the boys participated in all sorts of stunts caluculated to make the evening one of a genuine good time. During this lime they also indulged in eating peanuts, apples and drinking plenty of ice water. Just previous to the close of this delightful evening's enter tainment the hoys held a business session, during winch lime tliey decided to combine the Young Men's class and the Builders' club into one class nnd that it would be known us the Builders' club. The Young Men's class was an or ganization, which had for its object athletics, while the Build ers' club was for social purposes. The combination of these two classes will be an organization for both athletic and social purposes and will make a much stronger class than either the Young Men's class or the Builders' club have in the past. Mrs. C. C. Parmele hav ing resigned as teacher of the Builders' class, which the boys re gretted very much, Mr. W. A. Robertson has been elected as j leader of the combined classes, j T1( ilovs ..leeled the follow-in ollicrs: President, Ralph Larson; vice president, retary and While. Byron Arries; sec treasurer, Harry Officers Selected. Last Saturday evening the di rectors of the Eagle Farmers' Elevator company held a meeting at the hall to attend to some business for the company, and tliey selected tile lollowing officers for the ensuing year: President Fred Muenchau. Vice President George Oberle Secretary Will Crabtree. Treasurer J. I). Allen. Immediately after lh' directors' meeting a meeting of the stock holders was held for the purpose of approving the list of officers selected, which was done by a un animous vote of the meeting. Under the guidance of such ex cellent officers the Farmers' Ele vator company is sure to prosper. No definite action has been taken yet as to whether they will build an elevator or buy out one of the elevators already established here. Another business meeting will be held tomorrow evening. Eagle Beacon. First Football Game. From Saturday's Dally. The football game yesterday be tween the seniors-freshmen and the juniors-sophomores was a walkaway for the former team, the score being 3fi to 0, with only three-quarters of the game play ed. Noble, who was playing half back for the defeated team, was put out by a tackle, but the hurt was only a temporary one. It was reported after the game that he was seriously hurt, but he was only stunned for a few minutes. Mrs. George Hartung Platte wa9 in town today. of La AS v LIG S3 FOR COUNTRY HOWES! x n 0 ; t ! " ML JOIH1K1 Plattsmouth, Nebraska. LOCAL NEWS From Friday's Dully. fl. B. Ti k of Union was in town yesterday visiting friends. C. H. Taylor, county attorney, went to Omaha this afternoon on business. Born Thursday morning, Sep tember 1 i. to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Green, a nine-pound boy. Mrs. John Wiles and son, F.veretl, and daughter, Bessie, have been isiting relatives and friends in Malvern, Iowa, for the past. Week. Mrs. C. A. Ilawls and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Holmes returned from Omaha yesterday, accompanied by Miss Anna Keenan, who will visit here. Miss Josephine Johnson of Lin coln came down yesterday for a brief isit, at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jos eph Johnson. She returned home today. Ernest K. Wurl returned this morning from Long Beach. Cali fornia, where he has been for some time. lie will leave in the near future for that (dace, where he will go into the garage busi ness. From Saturday's Daily. F. C. Weber went to Omaiia Nil's morning. W. F. Wilson of Ahl.ind was a visitor hen- today. Phil Becker returned from Blooinliehl. Mo., yesterday. W. A. Fowler of Ashland was in town today on business. K. I. Campbell of Omaha was here today on business. Miss Minnie Preis was a visitor in imalia today. A. M. Arries went to Omaha this morning mi business. Mrs. T. E. Jennings was. a visitor in Omaha today. Miss Ethyl Ilaynie w-nt to Omaiia this afternoon. Miss Agnes Foster went to Omaha this afternoon. Mrs. O. C. Hudson went lo the metropolis this afternoon. Mrs, Mary Heinpel returned from Lincoln this morning. Mrs. E. M. Pribble returned from Louisville this morning. I Miss Mary E. Foster went lo Louisville today on business. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Forbes and son went to Omaha this afternoon. Mrs. James Brady and Miss Nettie Moore went to Omaha to day. J. I). Toll left for Boulder, Colo., this afternoon for a visit there. Ed Fricke returned this morn ing from a camping trip near Tekatnah. T. Thompson and wife of Lin coln were in town today, guests at the Riley. Mrs. J. Cleveland returned to Omaha today, after visiting Mrs. George Slioeman. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd llainey re turned to Lincoln today, after visiting Ben Rainey. Mr. and Mrs. R. Hampton went to Glenwood this morning lo visit friends during the day. Mrs. John Carney came in from Omaha this morning to visit her sister, Mrs. A. E. Carney. Miss Blanche Robertson return ed from South Omaha yesterday 3c SBbMsHSjsMpjr SSSVhTSKS This style of lighting makes gas just as you use it at the jets or stove and no faster. The entire machine is automatic in opera tion and requires no attention whatever except to occasionally put in carbide and water, and that takes only a few minutes of your time and will last from two to three weeks at one filling. BAUER, THE arc to spend Sunday with her parents. Mrs. E. Ptak went to Omaha this afternoon. Mrs. John Halstrom went to Omaha this morning for the day. Mrs. A. A. Shore was a visitor in Omaha today, going up on No. 15. Mrs. J. V. Hill of Pacillc Junc tion was over on business vester day. Henry Tiekolter and sister, Olga, went lo Oiaha this morn ing. Mrs. John Bajek and daughter, Lillian, were visitors in Omaha today. Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Warga went to Omaha this morning to visit friends. Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Bailey went to Omaha on the 8:16 a. m. Bur lington today. Miss Julia Murray took the I morning Burlington train to Omaha today. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Broese went to Omaha this morning to spend the day there. ' Mr. and Mrs. Joe Snaberger went to Omaha this morning to spend the day there. Mrs. J. H. Brown of Murray re turned last evening from Omaha by way of Plattsmouth. . Miss Nellie Folsoin returned to Ashland this morning, after visit ing Miss Louise Gorder. Mrs. Henry Steinhauer and daughter, Gladys, went to Omaha this morning for the dav. Miss Menola Perry, from near Murray, was in the city t few hours yesterday afternoon. Miss Cora Anderson and Miss Grace New bianch went to Omaha on No. ir this morning to spend the day. Mrs. J. M. Jackson returned to' Burlington, Iowa, this morning, after visiting Mrs. David llawks worlh here. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Libershal and daughter, Helen, went lo Hie metropolis this morning lo spend I he day there. Sam Tschirreii was a visitor in town Friday and called at this otlice and renewed his subscrip tion lo this paper for another year. C. II. Lewis, residing west of the city, was a visitor in town to day. He brought a couple of samples of very line cooking ap ples to t his office. Miss Margarete Porter, who is attending Belb-vue college this year came in on No. this morn ing and will spend Sunday in this city with her parents. Mrs. C. L. Buckley, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. nnd Mrs. John Rotter, left today for Milwaukee, where she will join her husband, who is failing in health. L'ncle John Kraeger, from near Mynard was a Platlsinouth visitor today, coming in for a visit, with county seat friends and for the transaction of business matters! Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hartford ami family moved from the Sol Adamson house on Washington avenue to the Ballance property fin South Sixth street. They are finishing the moving task today. I. S. White, from Murray, was in the city today visiting with his many friends at the county seat. We were pleased to see that Mr. White has greatly improved In DC HTIWQ n HARDWARE MAN health the past few months and begins to look like himself onc more. Dr. H. Greeder went to South Omaha this morning on business, F. C. Weber went to Omaha on the Misouri Pacillc this morn ing. Mrs, Emma Niius and son, Arnold, were visitors at the me tropolis today. Mrs. Nettie Johnson and chil dren went to Omaha this morninj to spend the day. C. Brenn returned to his home in Jefferson county today, after visiting relatives here. James Bordman returned to Harlinglon this morning, after visiting Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graaf here. Mrs. N. A. Abbott and daughter, Clara Louise, went to Lincoln this morning to visit her mother, who is ill at the sanitarium there. Hon. W. II. Puis, wife and his sister and his father, William Puis, sr., drove in today to trans- act some business matters at th county seat. While here Billy gave the Journnl a pleasant call nnd spent n few moments in social conversation. f Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Harris, from near Union, were in the city tolay doing some shopping and visiting friends at the county seat. Mr. Harris paid the Journal a brief call, telling us that the real estaU busines in his locality is looking up a trille at this lime. Creed ha9 developed into a full-fledged real estate man and is making his share of the deals of Cass county, Joseph Lloyd of Lincoln arrived in the city this morning for a few days' business trip. He has soma properly interests to look after ami will remain for about a week or more, lie is Hie same old Joe, nnd it seems like olden limes to see him on the streets of Platts mouth again. Major L. B. Brown of Kenosha was in (he city today, and while here paid the Journal ollice a brief call. He brought us a fine sack of eating apples to be distributed among the printer hoys. Lig says they were a present from the municipal body of the city of Kenosha. It's a Boy, Says Fritz. We venture lo say that about the happiest young man in all of Eight Mile Grove precinct is our excellent young friend. Frit Lutz, all ui account of the arrival of a big baby boy at his home last Friday evening. Both mother and little one are getting along nicely, and well, you ought lo have seen, Fritz when they told him it was a boy: he simply hollored for joy. Will Go to Hospital. Elward Rynoll has been suffer ing for the past few days with ap pendicitis, this being his second or third nltack. nnd is proving quite severe. He has been confined to his bed for a few days and his suffering has been very great. We nre informed that he will be taken lo the hospital in Omaha for an operation the fore part of next week. News-Herald Movos. The News-Herald plant Is being moved from its present location in the Dwyer building lo the Pearlman building on Sixth street, opposite the telephone building.