Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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S.sti? Wl <4=/^ JWJTHC \ "THB PBV: 1 **MV" I.APY OF T | ctt>Y7&j<ttr-z' -ay (Continued from last week) **Aud thai was all, was It?Just this note and the cash? There waa nothing addressed to me?" The hotelkeeper shook his head. "When did you see her last." " 'Bout nine o'clock, I reckon; she came down Inter the dinln' room fer a drink o' water." "How much longer were you up?" , "Oh, maybe an hour." "No message for Miss Donovan up to that time?" "No." "You left the door unlocked?" "Sure; them New York fellers was both out. I oughter waited till they come In. maybe, but I was plum* tired out." "When did they come hack?" "Oh, 'bout midnight, I reckon. Bill Lacy an' Matt Moore was along with em." "I see! And these New York people ?they are still here?" "They wus all three down ter breakfast; ain't seen nuthin' of 'cm since." "What became of Lacy?" "He's down In his saloon; he sed If you showed up, an* asked fer him, tfir fpll vnr thnt'c tvV?n* LaM ?? .. ? ?**? lie \? IIC. "He told you tlint? He expected me to show up, then?" "I reckon as how he did," nnd Timmons'grinned in drunken pood humor. ' "He's pretty blnine smart, Bill Lncy Is; he most nllnrs knows whut's goln' ter happen." He leaned over the desk and lowered his voice. "If yer do hunt him up, Jim," he said confidentially. "you better go heeled." Westcott lauphed. The first shock of the discovery of Miss Donovnn's disappearance had passed, and he was himself apaln. He must have time to think nnd nrrnnpe some plan and, above all, must retain a clear mind and proceed coolly. "All right, old man," he said easily. "I'll try nnd look out for myself. I haven't eaten yet today. What can you find me In the larder?" Although feeling the need of food, Westeott entered the dining-room of the Thnmons' house more desirous of being alone than for #ny other purpose. He realized that he was suddenly brought face to face with a most serious condition, nnd one which must be solved unaided. So Hill Lncy expected him? Und left word where he was to he found? What was the probable meaning of this? Westcott did not connect this message directly with the strnnge disappearance ol' Miss Donovan. Moore must have recognized him during iheir flL'ht, nnd reported to his master who it was that had been discovered listening at the window. Realizing the nature of that conversation, Lncy naturally anticipated being sought the very moment Westcott came to town. That was what this nmant. All right, he would hunt Lncy as soon as he was ready to do so; nnd, as TImmons suggested, would go "heeled." But the girl? What had really become of the girl? Westcott drew thti brief note from his pocket, smoothed "ui no trt-uNcs ana reau tne rew words over again. The writing was unquestionably feminine, and he conld / r ikG rr \NGE <\ .kfE JMj ?I5IM OF- J ) Uf l-*?y own" l^-5 fSa HE NORTH ' ETC. gr JSAJVZZAjCU* &4J?&/cSff i recall seeing nothing Miss Donovan had ever Indited, with which It could be compared. But would she have departed, however hurriedly, without leaving him some message? Uncoiv sclously he still held the letter In his hand when the waitress came In with his breakfast. She glanced about to make certain they were alone and leaned over, her lips close to his ear. "Is that the note they say that New York young lady left?" "Yes, Sadie," lii surprise. "Why?" "Well, she never wrote it, Mr. Westcott," hurriedly placing the dishes before him, "that's all. Now don't yer say a word to anybody that I told yer; but she didn't go East at all; sue wus took In a wagon down the desert road. I snw 'em take her." I "You saw them? Who?" "Well, I don't Just know that, *cept It was Mntt Moore's team, an' he wuz drlvln' It. I didn't see the others so es to be sure. Yer see us help sleep over the kitchen, an' 'bout one o'clock I woke up. I thought I heard a nolso outside, an' got up an' went to the winder. I couldn't see much, not 'nough so I could swear to nuthln'; but there was three or four men out ; there Just across that little gully, you 1 know, nil* (tinu l,n/1 > ...... ?lit She didn't stfeain none, but she was tryin' ter git away; wunst she run, s hut they caught her. I didn't see no wagon then; It was behind the ridge, | I reckon. After a while It drove off down I he south trail, an' a little later three men come irp them outside stairs b?ck Into the hotel. They was mighty stll) 'bout It. too." "You couldn't tell who they w< re?" "Tlr?y wn'n't like nuthln' but shudders; Ii was a purty dark night. Say, did you ever hear tell of a Mexican named Mendez?" "Well, rather; he's a cattle thief, or worse. Arizona has a big reward out for him, dead or nllve." That's the gink, I bet yer; has he got a hangout anywhar 'round this country?" "Not so far as I know. Wb%t makes you suspect this?" Sadie leaned even closer, her velce trembllng^wlth excitement, evidently convinced that her Information was of utmost Importance. "You know the feller they call Enrlght, T reckon he's n lawyer?" Westcott nodded. "Well, he was doin' most of the talkIn', an' I was foolin' round the sideboard yonder, pretendin* ter clean ft up. Nobody thought I was In ear distance, hut T got hold ov a word now nu' then. J7. kept tellln' *em "bout this Mexican, who's a friend of Till Lacy, au' I Judge lias a place whnr he hangs cut wth his gang somen bar lu the hlfl desert." "Was anything said about M ss Don' ovan?" "Not by name; they was too smnrl for that; but that was the direcllot Matt Moore drove off last night? there's Knrlght oomiu' downstair! now; won't yer hav' some more cakes sir?" Westcott pushed back his chair ant rose to his feet. He had extracted all the Information the girl possessed ' and had no wish to expose her t& sua piclon. There was no longer a doub* In his mind as to the fate of MIrs Don ovan. She had been forcibly abductet by this gang of thieves, mul put when her knowledge could do them no harm But where? The clue Imd been glvei him, but before it could he of anj value he must learn more of thli Mexican, Mendez. The fellow hat always appeared a rather mytliica character, but now became suddenly real. The marshal might know; If not, then he must choke the truth out of Lacy. Determined to make the effort, he muttered a swift word of (hanks to Sadie and left the room. ! From the open doorway Westcott took careful survey of the street, adjusting his belt so that the butt of his revolver was more convenient to the nana. He Had no conception tlmt his coming Interview with Lacy was to he altogether a pleasant one, and realized fully the danger confronting him. At that moment the little marshal, his broad-brimmed hat cocked over one eye, emerged from the narrow alleyway between the lted Dog and the ad-! Jacent dance hall, and stood there doubtfully, his gaze wandering up nud down the deserted street. As West- ! cott descended the hotel steps tfle mar- ! shnl saw him, and came forward. His manner was prompt and businesslike. "Ilello, .Jim," he said rather briskly. ' Had a little .trouble up your way last eight, I hear." "Nothing to bother you. Dan; my Mexican watchman was shot up through a window of the shack." "Kill him?" "Instantly. I told the coroner all about It. Whoever the fellow was 1 reckon ho meant the shot for me, but poor Jose got It. Seen Rill Lacy this morning?" The marshal's thin lips smiled grimly as his eyes lifted to Westcott's face. "He's back there in his oflice. That's what I stopped yer for. He said ho rather expected ye'd be along after a while. What's up between yer. Jim? There ain't goln' ter be no fight er ir.itbin*?" anxiously. Westcott laughed. "I don't see any use for any." he answered. "Rut Bill might be n bit touchy. Maybe, Dan, it might lie worth while for you to hang around. Do as you please about that." Tie turned away ana went lip the wooden steps to the door of the Red I>og. The marshal's eyes followed him solicitously until he disappeared within ; then he slipped back Into the alleyway skirting the side of the buildin*? until he reached a window near the rear. Westoott closed the door behind him and took a swift view of the barroom. There were not many present at that hour?only a few habitual loafers playing cards. \Vestcott~ recognized most of the faces with a slight feeling of relief. Neither Enrlght nor Beaton were present, and it was his desire to meet I.ac.v alone, away from the inlluence of these others, lie crossed to the bar. "Where's Bill?" lie asked. "Back there," and the dispenser of drinks Inclined his head toward a door at the rear. "Go on in." The fellow's manner was civil enough, yet Westcott's teeth set with a feeling that he was about to fnce nn emergency. Yet there was no other way; he must make Lacy talk. lie .walked straight to the door, opened it, topped into the room beyond, and turned the key in the lock, dropping it into his pocket. Then he faced about. He was not alone with Lacy; Enrlght sat beside the desk of the other and was staring at him in startled surprise Westcott also had a hazy tmpressioc that there was or hail been anotliei person. The saloon keeper rose tc his ff-et. angry, and thrown completelj ofT Ids guard by Westcott's unexpected action. "What the h does this mean?" ( be demanded hotly. "Why did you ( lock the floor?" "Naturally, to keep you In here until 1 am through with you," returned ; the miner coldly. "Sit down, Lacy; | we've got a few things to talk over. 1 ?? "What the H Does This Mean?" He Demanded Hotly. supposed l would find you alone." Lacy sank hack into his chair, endeavoring to smile. "Tills Wntlnmnii Ic n ?' " he explained. "Whatever you care to say can he said before him." "1 am quite well aware of that and also that he Is now present so that you may use him as a witness in case anything goes wrong. This is once you have got In had, Mr. Patrick Enright of Now York." The lawyer's face whitened and his hands gripped the ami of his chair. "You?you know tno?" "lly reputation only," and Westcott bowed, "hut that is scarcely to your credit. Now, Lacy and I have got a little affair to settle between us and, being a fair-minded man. he sent for me to talk it over. However, he realizes that an argument of that nature might easily become personal and that If anything unpleasant occurred he would require a witness. So he arranges to have you present. Do you see the point, Mr. Enrlght?" The lawyer's eyes sought Lncy, and then returned to the stern face confronting him. His lips sputtered: "As?as a witness?" "Sure; there may he honor among thieves, hut not Lncy s kind." lie strode forward and with one hand crushed En right hack into his chair. "Now, listen to me," he sa'.d fiercely. "I've got only one word of advice for you: dou't take any hand In this affnir, except as a peacemaker, for if you do you are going to get hurt. Now, 1 mine to ask you u qu? stion and tine of you two are going to answer before 1 leave-?keep your hands up, and in sight, Lucy; make uuother move like that and It's liable to be your lust. I am not here In any plnyful mood, and 1 know your style. I.ay that gun on the desk where I can see it?that's right. Now move your chair buck." i Lacy did this with no good grace, his face purple with passion. "Some , considerable gun-play just to ask a question," he said tauntingly, "must lie mighty Important. All right, what is it?" "Where did your man Moore take Miss Donovan last night?" Neither man had anticipated this; neither had the slightest conception that any suspicion of this kind pointed to them. The direct question was like the sudden explosion of a bomb. What did Westcott know? How had he dis- : covered their participation in the uffnlr? "You have rather got the better of me, Westcott," Lacy said, shrugging his shoulders, as though dismissing the l subject. "You ref?? to the New Y'ork I newspaper woman?" "I do?Miss Stella Donovan." "I have not the pleasure of that | lady's aequnlntnnre, but Tlmmons Informed me this morning that she had taken the late train last night for the East?'Isn't that true, Enrlglit?" The lawyer managed to nod, hut without venturing to remove his gaze from Westcott's fare. The latter never moved, but his eyes seemed to harden. "I have had quite enough of that, Lacy." he said sternly, and the watchful saloon keeper noted his lingers close more tightly on the butt of his revolver. "This Is no case for an alibi. I know exactly what I am talking about, and?I am going to have a direct unswer, either from you or Enrlgbt. "Thill Is the situation : 1 was the man listening nt the window of your shuck last nighf. Moore may. or may not have - i but, nevertheless. "* * was there long Grocery. fl |!irfi,e part of vening o I know why you M. Cannouwn La Roalta for ; Miss Ros your connection rooks from New . . <><] Cavendish was is n owVoinR held a pris11 Enrlglit, here, n, of Ousunder some legal uterday. who Stella Donohg Tobacco.10 suspected her >rce Is the only thing nlmut, and I' OI>OM* (>d to you wherek_ _ iU? o? . . . en me ?f-iicKiy put <>nr or hysician. resorted to last Sessions wilP,v' to Haskell." h 6th, 1921. amer- Why not you the letter as returned .r?l day. in, ? Ton thnu(,M r daughter, | Tlmt y Miss f>onovnn. fcrshaw, was your ontfk. The s week. your abduction . tje<i from a back e?, 30 cents line's. _ h, of Ker- Jtc 666 g 1 r sister ana i Mrs. C. B.YSTEMS 1 Pumps, Air t isinet in th?putillJJ Scales ?* n?*t ?<w Cases, Ac' in atrcnt. Rebuilt Cash T,noy leaped to his feet, hut Wvwt* cott's pin rose steadily, and the man stood with clenched hands, helpless in his tracks. "I'll get you for this, Westcott," he lit uttered savagely, hate burning in Ills eyes. '1 Haven't played my Inst cards ?yet." The miner smiled grimly, hut with no relaxation of vigilance. lie was Into H now, and proposed seeing It through. "I I in re n few left myself,** he r?turned soberly. "Your man Moore drove sou ill. taking the road leading into the Shoshone desert, and he had another one of your gang with liltn. Then you, and two others, went back Into the hotel, using the outside stairs. I take It t'.ie two others were Enright, j here av- Ned Beaton." lie leuued forward, his face set like flint. "Now see here, Laey. I know these things. It is up to you to answer iny questions, and answer them straight. I've got you two fellows dead to rights anyway you iook at it. If you dare lay hands on me, I'll kill you, if you refuse to tell me what I want to know. I'll swear out warrants Inside of thirty minutes. Now, what do you choose?" | "If 1 ngswer?what then?" Lacy prowled desperately. "What is offered , me?" Westcott moistened his lips. He had not before faced the situation from this standpoint, yet, with only one uiougnr in mind, ne answered promptly. "1 am not the law," he said, "and nil i nni interested in now Is the release of Fred Cavendish and Stella Donovan. I'll accomplish that if it has to tie over your dead bodies. Beyond this, I wash my hands of the whole affair. What I want to know is?where are these tv. n?" "Would you believe me if I said I did n?t know?" "No Lacy. It has come down to the truth, or your life. Where Is Pascual Mctidez?" lie heard no warning, no sound or movement, yet some change in the expression of the man's eyes confronting him caused him to slightly turn his head so as to vaguely perceive a shadow behind. It was all so quickly, silently done, he barely had time to throw up one hand in defense, when ' his nrtns were gripped as though in a vise, and he was thrown backward to the tloor the chair crushed beneath his weight. Lacy fairly leaped on his prostrate body, forgetting his gun lying ! on the table in the violence of hate, his i hands clutching at the exposed throat. I For 1111 Instant Westcott was so dazed and stunned by this sudden attack from behind as to lie there prone and helpless, fairly crushed beneath the bodies of his two antagonists. It was this tliut gave him Irs chance, for, convinced that lie was unconscious, hoth men slightly relaxed their grip, thus giving hi n opportunity to regain breath, and stiffen his muscles for a > supreme effort. Willi one lasli'ng out ' of a foot that sent Enright hurtling against the farther wall, he cracked j I.aey's head against a corner of the ' desk, and closed in deadly struggle j with tiie third man, whom he now rec- j ognized as Beaton. Before the latter could comprehend j want nun Happened the miner was on top, nn<l a clenched fist was driven into his face with nil the foree of a sledgehammer. Hut barroom fighting was no novelty to the gunman, nor had he any scruples as to the methods employed. With teeth sunk into his opponent's arm, and fingers gouging at his eyes, the fellow struggled like a mad dog; yet, in spite of every effort to restrain h'.in, Westcott, now filled with the Pinning Him Helplessly Against the Wall. fierce rage of battle, broke free, fairly tearing himself from Kenton's desperate clutch, and pinning him helplessly against the wall. At the same instant l<ney, who had regained his feet, leaped upon him from behind striking him with all Ids M?m-, > MHt ||l I < > I I III* |l|< l\V, I'M'll though a grazing fine, driving (lie miner's head into the fare of the gunman. Ilotii wont down together, I mi i \Ve.?tcoit was on ids foot again lioforc I.ncy could act, closing with the latter, h was liand-to-liand, the silent struggle for mastery between two men not unevenly matched, men asking and receiving no mercy. The revolver of one lay on the tloor, the other still reposed on the open desk, and neither could he reached. It was a battle to he fought out with hare hands. Twice Wosteott struck, his clenched tlst bringing blood, luit Lacy clung to him, one hand twisted In his neck-hand, the other viciously forcing hack his head Unable to release the grip, West cot I gave hack, bending until Ids adversary was beyond balance; then, suddenly straightening, burled the fellow side ways. Rut by now Beaton, dazed anc confused, wns upon his feet. With th< bellowrtf a wild bull be tlun^J]j1|j(ig^^l, on fhn Lucky I cigarette Its toasted floe r. Excited voices sounded without then blows resounded against tin wood of the locked door, but the three men were oblivious to till but their own struggle. lake so many wild beasts they clutched and struck, unable ?.? ,llan,,t..n..l.. ?l. n 1?1.. those coyotes puts a paw on you, let him have It!" The crowd made way, reluctantly enough, growling curses, but with no man among them sufllciently reckless to attempt resistance. They lacked leadership, for the little marshal never once took his eye off Lacy. At the door he turned, walking hackward, trusting in Westcott to keep their path clear, both leveled revolvers ready for any movement. He had but one object before him? tp get his prisoner safely outside into the open. Beyond that he would trust to luck, ami a fair chance. His grey eyes were almost black as they gleamed over the leveled revolver barrels, and his clipped mustache fairly bristled. They were far from free even outside the swinging doors and in the sunshine. Already a rumor of what had occurred had spread like wildtire. nnu men were on tne street, eager enough to take some hand in the affray. A few were already about the steps, while others were running rapidly toward them, excited, hut uncertain. It was this uncertainty which gave the little marshal his one slender chance. I lis eyes swept the crowd, hut there was no face visible on whom he could rely In this emergency. There was scarcely an instant of hesitancy, Ids quick searching eyes surveying the scene, and then seeking the face of his prisoner. "Willing to tight this out, Jim?" he asked shortly, "You bet, Dan; want's the plan?" "Tne big rock in Bear creek. We can hold out there until dark. Perhaps there'll he some men to help us by that time; if not, we might crawl away in the night. Take the alley and turn at the hotel. Don't let anybody stop you. Christopher Columbus, I hate to run from such cattle, but It's our only chance." Thoro ivna nA Hrna tn moclo TK.iti weVe not yet at the mouth of the alley when the Infuriated pursuers hurst through the saloon doors, cursing and shouting. There wore n dozen shots, hut he two runners plunged about the corner of the building and disappeared, ?V vii.-niii iin^ir his face like chalk, got to Ills knees ami crept across the floor until his hand closed on Westcott's revolver. Lifting himself by a grip on the desk, he swung the weapon forward nt the very instant the miner rose staggering, dragging Kenton with him. There was a flash of flame, u sharp report, and Westcott sprang aside, gripping the back of a chair. The gunman sank into 8hapelesstiess on the floor as the chair hurtled through the air straight at Knright's head. With a crash the door fell, and a black mass of men surged in through the opening, the bartender leading them, an axe in his hand. Kenton lay motionless just as he had dropped; Knright was in one corner, dazed, unnerved, a red gash across his forehead, from which blood dripped, the revolver, struck from his lingers, smoking on the floor; Westcott, his clothes torn, his face bruised by blows, breathing heavily, went slowly backward, step by step, to tlie farther wall, conscious of nothing now hut the savagely hostile faces of these new enemies. I.acy, staggering as though drunk, managed to attain his feet, hate, desire for revenge, yielding him strength. This was his crowd, and his mind was quick to grasp the opportunity. "There's the man who did it," ho shouted, his arm llung out toward Westcott. "I saw him shoot. See, that's his gun lying on the lloor. Don't let the murderer get away 1" He started forward, an oath on his iips, aim irre exciron crown surged artor, growling nngor. Then the mass of them seemed suddenly rent asunder, and the marshal plowed his way through heedlessly, his hat gone, and a hlue-barreled gun In either hand. He swept the muzzle of one of these into the bartender's face menacingly, his eyes searching the maddened crowd. "Wait a minute, you," he commanded sharply. "I reckon I've got something to say 'bout this. Put down that axe, Mike, or ye'll never draw anothet gluss o' beer in tills camp. You know me, lads, an' I never draw except fer business. Shut your mouth, Lacy; don't touch that gun, you fool 1 I am In charge here?this is my Job; and it there is going to be any lynching done, it will be after you get me. Stand back, now; all of you?yes, get out into that barroom. I mean you, Mike! This man is my prisoner, and I'll defend him. Ay! I'll do more, I'll let him defend himself. Here, Westcott, pick up your gun on the floor. Now, stand here with me! We're going out through that bunch, and if one of . -73 a hundred feet In advance of their pursuers when they reached the hotel. In spite of Lncy's urging the cowardly crew exhibited small desire to close In. ? The marshal glancing back over his shoulder, grinned cheerfully. "We've got 'em beat, Jim," he panted. "less tlmr's others headlu' us off; run like a white-head; don't mind me." The road ahead was clear, except for the speeding cowboys, and the marshal made extremely quick work o| them. There was a fusillade of shots, and when these ended, one rider was down In the dust, the other galloping madly away, lying dot on his pony, with no purpose hut to get out of range. The two fugitives plunged Into 1 the hushes opposite, taking flie roughest but most direct course to where the rather precipitous banks dropped j off to the stream below. The marshal, pausing for nothing, flung himself bodl, ly down the steep bank, unclasping his | belt, as he half ran, half rolled to the i bottom. "Here, take these cartridges," he ; said, "and hold 'em up. Save yer own, I too, fer we're going to need 'em. That water out thar Is plumb up to my ' neck. Come on, now; keep them 1 things dry, an* don't bother 'botit ine." 'I He plunged In, and Westcott followed, both cartridge belts held above his head. | The water deepened rapidly, and ui'NU ?hi wito ouuu it* vvniai, iruu* ; ! '<5^^ 1 % 7 He Heard the Marshal Splashing Along Behind. Ing to his ripht to keep his feet; he heard the marshal splashing along behind, convinced by his ceaseless profanity that he also made progress in spite or tits shortness of ltmbs. Indeed, they attained the rock shelter almost together, creeping up through a narrow crevasse, leaving a wet trail along the grey stone. This was accomplished none too soon, u yell from the hank telling of their discovery, followed by the crack of a gun. The marshal, who was still exposed, hastily crept under cover, wiping a drop of hlood from his cheek where??" splinter of rock dislodged by the bullet had slashed the tlesh. lie was, nevertheless. in excellent humor, his keen 1 grey eyes laughing as he peered out over the rock rampart. "If they keep up shootin like that, Jim, I reckon our insurance won't be high," he said. "I'm plumb ashamed of the camp, the way theni boys waste lend. Hand over them cartridges; let's see what sorter stock we got." (To be continued) i sil TAKE STOCK OF YOUR j HEALTH NOW WINTER BRINGS MANY ILLS TO PALE, OVERWORKED PEOPLE TAKE PEPTO-MANGAN Fortify Your Syrtenn?Good Rlood Will Give You New Strength To Keep Well I It' you l'ool tho least bit run down, not nooes-arily s-ek, but tired and ] blue :?rd <>f down and out, it shows plainly that your power of rc1 sistanee is low. It is dangerous to j?o around that You i n't want to do it. .V:*' < no i. istakoabout it, when you f; ! your- If slipping into lazy habits, };ittin;r ind:tlYi'out to the things you naturaliy like o<> energy, no viicor, always tired t is time to look out. It may not moan that you are sick or that you will be. But there are diseases that would have an easy time of it with y< ur system when your blood has no fijjMur.; nudities. You v'm' ! to i>o well and keep well and feel strone. If \mi build up tlie qunlitx <>t v<>ui blood by taking PoptoManiran you will l>< ,n trim to fi^ht off winter ids. It h just the rijrht ingredient. to build your blood up with rich, red eo "pusi !es. Pepto M a so.::; n jrives your blood the qualities it needs to pick you up and 'start you IV on a healthy basis. You will noti o the difference soon after you start taking it. You will have better i tor, 'o tw i fcd'niK, and more energy. You can tal.c >t in liquid or tablet form as you prefer. Both have the same ingredients. P.ut be sure you get genuine (Judo's I'epto-Manpran. Ask for it by that name?"Gud-e's PeptoManpren," and be ure the full name is on tlie package. adv. V. F. DAM J MARKET 1 ne l inen t-resh Meat* The Rest Fancy Groceries |r|T. " " J J,/ ?* 1 ' L" - 1