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The Sf By REX E Copyright. 1903. b [Continued froi CHAPTER XXI. DAT was breaking as Glenister came down the mountain. With the first light he halted to j scan the trail, and. having 110 means of knowing that the fresh tracks ( he found were not those of the two flders he followed, be urged his lather- j ed horse ahead till he became suddenly conscious that he was very tired and had not slept for two days and nights. J The recollection did not reassure the ; young man. for his body wus a weapon j which must not fail in the slightest J measure now that there was work to j do. Even the unwelcome speculation ' npon his physical handicap offered relief, however, from the agony which fed upon him whenever he thought of Helen In the gambler's hands. Meanwhile the horse, groaning at bis mas ter's violence, plunged onward toward the roofs of Nome, now growing gray In the first dawn. It seemed years since Roy had seen the sunlight, for this night, burdened with suspense, had been endlessly long. His body was faint beneath the strain, and yet he rode on and on, tired, dogged, stony, his eyes set toward the sea, his mind a.storm of formless, whirling thoughts, beneath which was an undeviatlng. Implacable determination. He knew now that he bad sacrificed all hope of the Midas, and likewise the hope of Heleu was gone; in fact, he began to realize dimly that from the becinniug he had never bad the possibility of winuing her, that she had never been destined for him and that his love for her had bceu sent as a light by which he was to find himself. He had failed everywhere; he had be- I come an outlaw; he had fought and \ gone down, certain only of his rectitude and the mastery of his unruly Bpirlt. Now the hour had come when he would perform his last mission, deriving therefrom that satisfaction which the gods could not deny. He would have his vengeance. The scheme took form without conscious effort on his part and embraced two things?the death of the gambler and a meeting with McXamara. Of the former, he had no more doubt than that the sun rising there would sink I -In the west. So well confirmed was t this l>ellef that the details did not en- | gage his thought: but on the result of the other encounter he speculated with : some interest. From the first McNa- j mara had been a riddle to him. and mystery breeds curiosity. His blind. Instinctive hatred of the man had asfumed the proportions of a mania; but as to what the outcome would l>e when 1 they met face to face, fate alone could ^11 Anvn-ov MfVflmnra Rhould uever I ? have Helen?Roy believed bis mission covered that point as well as her de- ! Jiverance from the Bronco Kid. When I be had finished, he would pay the 1 price. If he had the luck to escape, he would go back to his hills and bl9 aolltude: If he did not. hla future would i be In the hands of his enemies. He entered the silent streets unobserved. for the mists were heavy and low. Smoke columns arose vertically In the still air. The rain had ceased, having beaten down the waves which . rumbled against the beach, filling the ! streets with their subdued thunder. A j ship anchored in the offing. bad run : In from the lee of Sledge Island with the first lull, while midway to the shore a tender was rising and falling, its oars Cashing like the silvered feelers of a sea Insect crawling upon ! the surface of the ocean. He rode down Front street heedless of danger, heedless of the comment his appearance might create, and. unseen, | entered bis enemy's stronghold. He > passed a gambling hail, through the windows of which came a sickly yellow gleam. A man came out un- j teadily aud stared at the horseman. : then passed on. Glenister's plan was to go straight to the Northern and from there to track down its owner relentlessly, but in J order to reach the place his course led him past the office of Dunham & Btruve. This brought back to his mind the man dying out there ten miles ut his back. The scantiest humanity de- I manded that assistance be sent at I once. Yet he dared not give word ; openly, thus betraying his presence, for j it was necessary that he maintain his ; liberty during the next hour at all bar- ! arte, fte suddenly thought of an eir j .'pedient and relued In his horse, which ; . stopped with wide spread legs and de- ! Jected head while he dismounted aud climbed the stairs to leave a note upon the door. Some one would see the j message shortly and recognize Its urgency. In dressing for the battle at the Mi- l Idas on the previous night he had re- j .placed his leather boots with "muk- i luke," which are waterproof, light and j pliable footgear made from the skin of seal and walrus. He was thus aide to ; move as noiselessly as though in nioc- j casius. I-'indiug neither pencil nor pa- , per in his pocket, he tried the outer ! door of the office, to tiiul it unlocked. lie stepped inside and listened, then , moved toward a table on which were writing materials, but in doiug so heard a rustle in Struve's private office. Evidcutlv his soft .soles had not ! >oilers. . BEACH. y Rex E. Beach. < { / ! ?????I! m last week.] : . ti.e" taau inside. Hoy was : ?:: : i t p:oe out as be had come whoa ti:e hidden man cleared his throat. It is in these involuntary sounds that the voire retains its natural nu dity more distinctly even than in speaking. A strange eagerness grew in Glmlstcr's fare, and he approached the partition stealthily. It was of wood and glass, the panes clouded and opaque to a height of some six feet: hut. stepping upon a chair, he i>eered into the room beyond. A mau knelt In a litter of , ipers liefore the open safe, its drawers and compartments removed and their contents scattered. The watcher lowered himself, drew his gun and laid soft hand upon the doorknob, turning the latrh with firm fingers. His vengeance had conic to meet him. After lying in wait during the long night, certain that the vigilantes would spring his trap, McNamara was astounded at news of the battle at the Midas and of Glenister's success. He stormed and cursed his men m cowards. The Judge became greatly exer CISOU over mis new urvciuiioiem. which. coui>le?l with his night of long anxiety, reduced him to a pitiful hysteria. They'll blow us up next. Great heavens! Dynamite! Oh. that is barbarous. For heaven's sake, get the soldiers out. Alec." "Ay. we cuu use them now." Thereupon McNamara roused the commanding officer at the post and requeued him to accouter a troop and have them ready fo march at daylight tiren bestirred the judge to start the wheels of his court and Invoke ttris military aid in regular fashion. "Make it all a matter of record," he said. "We want to keep our skirts clear from now on." "But the townspeople are against us." quavered Stillman. "They'll tear us t > pieces." "Let 'em try. Once I get my hand I 0:1 the ringleader, the rest may riot and l?e damned." Although he had made less display mail uati un- jiiukc, mc 1 *-v *. 1?* . no less worried about Helen, of whom no uews came. His jealousy, fanned to red heat by the discovery of her earlier defection, was enhanced fourfold by the thought of this last adventure. Something told him there was treachery afoot, and when she did not return at dawn he began to fear that she had cast in her lot with the riot ers. This aroused a perfect delirium of doubt and anger till he reasoned I further that Struve. having gone with ' her, must also be a traitor. He recog- | nized the menace in this fact, knowing! the man's venality, so began to reckon i carefully its significance. What coukl ; Struve do? What proof had he? McNaniara started and. seizing his hat. hurried straight to the lawyer's office and let himself in with the key be curried. It was light enough for him to decipher the characters on the safe lock as be turned the combination, so he set to work scanning the endless bundles within, hoping that after all the man had taken with him no Incriminating evidence. On<? the searcher paused at some fancied sound, hut when nothing came of it drew his revolver and laid it before him just inside the safe door and close beneath his haud, continuing to run through the documents while his uneasiness increased He had been engaged so for some time when he heard the faintest creak at his back, too slight to alarm and Just sufficient to break his tension and cause him to Jerk his head about. Framed in the open door stood Itoy Gletiister watching him. Mi-Nanism's astonishment was so genuine that he leaped to his feet, faced about, and prompted by a secretive instinct swung to the safe door as though to guard it* contents. He had acted ui?on the impulse before realizing that his weapon was Inside and that now. although the door was not locked, it would require that one dan- ; gerous, yes. fatal secoud to open It. The two men stared at each other I for a time, silent and malignant, their i glances meeting like blades; in the old- j ?*? man's fa<?a a l/w\L* t\f iioHaiu<n In tha ! youugvr's a dogged and grim purposed eumlty. MeNamara's first perturbation left him calm, alert, dangerous, whereas the eontiuued contemplation of his enemy worked in Glenister to ' destroy his composure, and his purpose biased forth unhidden. He stood there uukempt and soiled, j the clean sweep of Jaw and throat \ overgrown with a three days' black ! stubble, his hair wet and matted, his j whole left side foul with clay where j he had fallen in thedarkuess. A mud- j dy red streak spread downward from a I cut above his temple, beneath his eyes i were sagging folds, while the flicker at j his mouth corners betrayed the high ! nervous pitch to which he was keyed. ) "I have come for the last act, Mc- ! Naiuara. Now we'll have it out man j to man." The politician shrugged his shoulders, j "You have the drop on me. 1 am unarmed." At which the miner's face lighted fiercely, and ho chuckled. "Ah, that's almost too good to be true. I have dreamed about such a thing, and I have been hungry to feel vour throat since the first time 1 saw \ t you. H'r grown on me till shootiL wouldn't satisfy me. Ever had th feeling? Well, I'm going to choke t? life out of you with ray bare hands.' Mc.\?nara squared himself. "I wouldn't advise you to try it hare lived longer than you. and I sever beaten, but 1 know the fe? you speak about. I have it uow." His eyes roved rapidry up and di the other's form, noting the lean th^ and close drawn belt, which lent . appearance of spurseuess, belled on.. Ly the neck and shoulders. He hud beateu better nieu, ami he reasoned that if it came to a physira^^j^' these cramped quarters his^^^^ weight would more than onf ponor ability the miner ndg. The longer he looked the jir. yielded to his hatred of the man bini and the utore cruelly he lor satisfy it. "Take off your coat." said <jlp' "Now turn around. All right! I wanted to see if you were lying a' your gun." . "I'll kill you!" cried McNamnra. 1 (llenlster laid his six shooter upon safe and slipped off his own wet g:?. tnent. The difference was more mark ed now and the advantage more strongly with the receiver. Though they hud avoided allusion to it. each knew that this tight had nothing tc do with the Midas and each realized whence sprang their fierce enmity And It was meet that they should come torether thus. It had l?een tht one certain and logical event which they had felt Inevitably approaching i.o.b 4 n/t tt vrns fittine moreover, that they should fight alont and unwitnessed, armed only with th< wcufions of the wilderness, for they were bofh of the far. free lands, were t>oth of the fighter's type and had both warred ft* the first great prize. They met ferociously. McNamars aimed a fearful blow, but GIenl9tei met him squarely, beating him ofl rleverly, stepping in and out. hi.' arms swinging loosely from his shod ders like whalebone witbes tipped witl lead. He moved lightlv, his footing made doubly secure by Teasou of his soft soled mukluks. Recognhing hlf opponent's greater weight, he und' took merely to stop the bead)' rushes and remain out of react long as iwsslble. He struck the tlcian fairly In the mouth so * man's head snapped back weut wild. then, befq <i rould grasp htm. the m. ?k en ground and whipped ?. olov across, but MeN'amara wu? .? boxe himself, so covered and blocked it The politician spat through bis mash ed lips and rushed again, swejepliq his opponent from his feet. Agaii Gleulster's fist shot forward like j - e ?*1ia oumo At lump III Kl itllllt-, Kill luc viun vnmv ?| head down und the blow tinislied to< high. landing on the hig man's brow A sudden darfiug agony paralyzei Roy's hand, and he realized that h( bad broken the metacarpal liones am that henceforth it would be useless Before he could recover McNaraari had passed uuder his exteuded urn and seized hiui by the middle, then thrusting his left leg back of Roy's he whirled him from his balance, fling lug him clear and with resistless forct It seemed that a fatal fall must fol low, but the youth squirmed catliki in the air. landing with set muscle: which rebounded like rubber. Evei so. the receiver was upon him befor he could rise, reaching for the youni man's tlwoat wkh his heavy hands Roy recognized the fatal "strangle' held and. seizing his enemy's wrists endeavored to tear them apart, bu his left hand was useless, so with i micrhtv wrench lie freed himself, and looked in eiwh other's arms, the mei straiued and swayed about the offici till their neck veins were burstins their muscles paralyzed. Men may ffgbt duels calmly, maj sluK)t or parry or thrust w-ith cold de liberation, but when there comes th< jar of t?ody to body, the sweaty con tact of skin to skin, the play of iroi muscles, the painful ga6p of e^haus tiou?then the mind goes skitterinj back into its dark recesses while ev ery venomous passion leaps forth fron Its hiding place and joins in the hbrrh war. They tripped across the floor, crash ing into the partition, which split showering them with glass. They fel The u tripped aero** the floor, crtuhitH tnto uit parumm. and rolled lu it, then, \ by consent wrenched themselves apart, rose, ey< to eye. their Jaws hanging, their lung! wheezing, their faces trickling btoo< and sweat. Hoy'a left hand pained bin excruciatingly, while McNamara'a mac erated lips had turned outward in i hideous pout. They crouched so for ai instant, cruel, bestial?then clinches again. The* office-fittings were wrevkec utterly, and the room became a litte of ruins. The men's garments fel away till their breasts were bare am their arms swelled white and knotte< through the rags. They knew no pain their bodies were insensate median isms. Gradually the older mail's^face wa [Continued on page 3.] ) owus a legu, O., nsCounof the Ke CounAt j >re J. i t i or thi ," you fee) cr. think ol 1 i. ve half your > usu?. et your child, ii there is day. Herein prob1 ably lies efflrlency. Sold in ' 6c boxes in 26c boxes of 41 Preventics. ->CflsU giving yon Pre1 ^tics D. .T. f The Lai id Most f ^.niplete . | * nwuui. M. HACKER 8 SON. < j ' 5 ? MANl'KACTLl :R8 OF1 > Sash, Doors, Blinds a Moulding and Building Material, J Sash Weights and Cords 5 CHARLESTON, S C. I PHOIIL CUB I ? R. E. & E. N. B EATY e ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS ; Georgetown, - - - S. C. :; Civil Engineering Land Surveying Railroad Surveys , and Construction i Prompt aentl on o out of Town Work. 3 3-19-tf ' W. L. Bats A. C. Hinds BASS & HINDS, f Attorneys-at-law KNGSTREE, S. C. - 9-20-tf. ! URBnis Lake City, S. C. . Crown and Bridge Work a Specialty. 1 ALL WORK Guaranteed as Represented. W. L, BASS Attorney at Law LAKE CITY. & C. Dr H J McCabe Dentist. KIN5STSEE, - S. C. I J. D. MOUZON'S BARBER SHOP ?in the? j Fas Keirei Hotel is equipped with up-to-date ap? pliances. Polite Service. ompetent e Workmen. s 5-8-08. W. P. TENNENT i ARCHITECT J General Contractor and Builder . Solicits your business. Estimates cheerfully furnished on all r : ; kinds of work. : : J 126 Evans 'Phone 1962 i FLORENCE, S. C. . Supervisor of construction New School Building and Superintendent of work on U. S. Post Office and of John Mc6 Sween O, stores Timmonsville and Beulhh and residence at National Cemetery. : : : : : ^ ^out \ t \ ol Without Alcohol , o-..aer Without Alcohol .. Blood Purifier Without Alcohol A Grot Alterative Witho**tAJtfihol A Doctor's Medicine Witt Aycr's Strsaptrilla With 4 Wo publisher I tier's' j r's Pills *re liver y act ctly on the live' ,re bile eted. This>^ t are so valuin constv* .lousness, dysAsk your doctor laxitive pill. xjtI Co., Lowoll, Mxtt.? ffummiAiv liUTTUN ?AXD THE PRIV TOBi There will be a number of si Fall and we are ready to serv< splendid crop prospect we are r< enlarge our floor space, and rath Queen Stoves and Ranges from v price 2? We have just received a carl fered at a low price. Remember min Moore & Co's Paint. Also, Cutlery and Razors. The Robes preciate our friends' patronage 1 t'nued confidence. Lake City / LAKEC: A dollar is a doll There is no better way dealing with J. L. Stuckey, the o man. I have a splendid Ifrie Units, lip that in view of the hard time above cost. A nice bunch of HORSE at prices to suit. J. L Stu BANK OF * Kingstree. So CAPITAL, 8 30,000" ===== DIREG Jas F Cooper D C Scott Collections m&de prompt!; MOW Ar R AK GIVE US ORDER McCOf nOWER A Do not wait until your oat A CAR of flcCormick flowers an< Yours for THE WILLIUl Hi ngsfree & Creelyville, [STEffiS] wmrjfwgYOU LOOK FOR TROUBii ^| If ;oa obtain a Firearm of doubt *P,^,nMI' Huntsr's and Markaman'i Idea! hBi ^7 ? rtliablt, unerring STEVENS i FIND OUT WHY ) Pit V byahooting our popular ^ (Vn/l RIFLES?SHOTGUNS / W M\ PISTOLS [V W f/%4 Alk your local Hardware \ * J or Sporting Good* Mor- J lJft ^FjPBj chant (or the SiTKVKN. . / II you cannot obtain v\> ^ ship direct, express ',H- ^ 7)34 ^ pnid, upon receipt ol C'au'jfZPSr1 I^Trrlce. s?-nd 4 cents in stamps for 140 ' Mlust rated Catalog,Including elr? n larsof latest additions to our Hue 1 Contains joints on shooting, nmi:n-[ nit ion, the proper care of -i fire-urn .r etc.. etc. Our attractive Ten Co:o -( Lithographed Hanger mailed a:.yn iiere f??r six cents in stamps. J. STEVENS ARXS & TOOT, ( i P. O. Box 4097 ? Chicopee Falls, Mass., V. P. IS KING \ CE REGENT IS- ' fc-CCO. lbjects of both in Lake City this ? thpm. In anticipation of the ?pairin? our warehouse so as to er than remove the stock of O.K. warehouse we have ^educed the < : Cent. oad of Wire Fence, which is of- 4 we are headquarters for Benjawe offer exceptional values ion Razor can't be beat. We apmd will try to merit their conlard ware Co., ITT, s. c ___________________________ saved ] ar maue to save your dollars than by . _ Id reliable live'Stock v / Of a ml lino, f :s am offering at 10 per cent S and MULES always on hand ckey, Lake City, S. C. __________ * Ijngstree uth Carolina. SURPLUS, % 7,800 ITORS ===== R H Kellahan J A Kelley 7- 8 ade on approved security. I ers i vID I : es J ; YOUR FOR A (HICK itfrv r* a i/n 1>L? KANC s and hay begin to waste. LOAD d Rakes now in transit, business, LIVESTOCK CO., South Carolina. J tm