Under His Thumb — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

UNDER HIS THUMB. 133 the man behind them began running, also, and ata pace that quickly brought him up with them. ‘What are you afraid of, eh?’’ the man demanded, -as the fugitives came to a stop, clinging to each other. Stella recognized the voice upon the instant. Their pursuer was Bill Leary, the New York ruffian, with “whom she had already had such a thrilling experi- ence. In some way he had penetrated their disguise, and followed them hither. “What do you mean, sir, by following us?’’ Stella demanded. Although in mortal dread of the ruffian, her perils nerved her to a desperate COUTAE 9, “It is anad manners you’re showing, Vl say that for you,’’ supplemented Katie. Leary made no response. He glanced up and down the lonely road, and then leaped toward the girls. They recoiled with a scream, but he succeeded in seizing Katie by the arm. With mee force he tore her from her companion. But the Irish girl, vigorous and courageous, re- sisted him with fierce desperation, while Stella sprang to her friend’s assistance. The ruffian for a few moments found it no easy matter to resist the fierce attack of the pair. But with aroused anger, he succeeded in striking Katie a savage blow that sent her reeling to the earth. Then he turned upon Stella. But the latter had shipped away from him. In her place, however, stood a tall figure, who, before the ruffian could flee, reached out two powerful arms and grappled with him. And the two girls, in deep bewilderment, beheld their foe and the tall stranger moving through the gloom in rapid evolutions. (e(oy mayicelexeyxoy <S co mn