The evening world. Newspaper, September 22, 1914, Page 17

2 7: 1OOOQOOHDOOOOO OS: “MISS W —DEPUTY POSSESS Woprright, 1912, by Frederick A, Stokes Co.) SENOPSTS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, [The litte Free, town of Sybippleton ie, throws oe ae ee ere a CHAPTER Ill. (Coatinued.) The Call to Arms. SSR HE bill behind her garden rose so suddenly that the road ascended by a lone detour. There was an opening at the second turn, directly above, and she waited for them to reach it that she might call up to them. She could hear their voices for so. time before they finally emerged to view, her father’s full soft bass and Sim ‘Pope's cracked falsetto. It was quite dusk when they halted at the flat rock for rest. Wealthy made a trum- pet of a sheet of pasteboard and shouted up. “You-all better come back and all night. You kin start ag'in in the mornin’.” ‘They considered it for « moment before they declined. Wealthy at long range was not eo convincing 1a in close quarters. And the spell of camp life was appealing to them; the thrill of the wild was stirring their blood. Soon she saw their camp < * fire, over which coffee was steaming and bacon frying. “Ita a pretty scared robber that'll walk up to them pore ole stubs o’ men and git himself arrested.” she remarked, as she turned into her Jonesome house, Granny Keller called to her over the fence, “Say, Wealthy, I've got the Saman- thy Express, There's been @ big rob- bery over there at the bank. Would you Iike to read about it? My grand- son jest went by and left the paper and told me all about it. I ‘lowed you'd like to know. “Yes, 1 would,” said Wealthy, with real he im. It was the first time she could re- member that Granny Keller had had the privilege of telling news to her. She forbore to mention tho telegram and the expedition. She had not seen the paper and was immensely eager to read all details, Granny Keller would willingly have come in and talked it over, but then she would have learned of the Sheriffs absence, eo Wealthy took it with « “Much obleeged” and went back to read it by the light of her own lamp. It was fortunate that the Express was pub- lished in the middle of the week. The headlines were delightful in their ex- pronsiveness. FARMERS’ BANK LOOTED! Tremendous Excitement in Town! Robber Escapes on Motorcycle! On Thursday morning the peace- ful precincts of our city were shaken to their foundations by the most startling sensation ever known in its history. The di covery was first made by our ¢: citizen, Mr, Joe Shaler, teller of the bank, when he opened the door at the usual hour to een out. His attention was at- tracted by an unsealed note on the cashier's private desk directed to Mr. Robert Johnson Orcott, presi- dent of the bank, which he took charge of in Mr. Orcott’s absence. ‘Thia contained the resignation of the cashier, Mr. Willis Hunter, to take effect immediately; and the t ta xuapicion at once, ‘ fied upon the opening of the safo at the usual time when it was di covered that the package of casi amounting to which urbs. A run on the bank was prob- ably averted by the fact that most of our farmers now haying ‘and have not been to town lately. af the Express. Mr, Willis Hunter, the default- ing cashier, though a stranger in our midst, came highly recom- mended and was received {nto our most exclusive social circles. He has hitherto conducted himself in & most exemplary manner and has icton as to his true chart pald his bill in full at the Palace Hotel, where he lived, before leaving, saying that be should not return, Mr. Bill Aitchins, who came to town early this morning on the Black Moun- ain road, reports having met a young man who answers to Mr. Hunter's description riding across the mountain in the direction of the river on a motorcycle, and, as lunter’s was the only machine kind in town it Is likely t he is making for Whipple- ton or Poketown to escape by bor Our constable, Mr. Green- briar Watkin: sutting a bumper crop of hay on als farm, has been sent for to take steps for the apprehension of the culprit. The supposed robber £ about five feet seven in height, ight hair, fair complexion, gray our years of age; sult, eallor bat, wyer Before ne- jed owt u.-tl she could no She took it up and went M1 4 reserve ad But ghelf of shining ones ft was time for her own solitary ber, and reading was a slow take Viperingdon The Evenin: A Story of Love, Law and a Kitchen Stove By ELIZABETH NEFF Seb) kasha ee, 'ALTHY SHERIFF— ODOSTOOO her unaccustomed must find what hai Besides, she come of Moses. CHAPTER IV. The Strong Arm of the Law. EALTHY laid one plate -1 the table for herself and Stopped to note I's lots. Someness. A gudden idea turned her about to the kitchen, talking in the friendly tone she used to lerself and to no one else, “He' right young feller, that rob- ber, not much more'n @ boy. He’ have time to git over this side o' the ridge if he come on one of thes steam bicyclea—like as not—I shouldn't wonder !f he was layin’ up there among the hemlocks some- wheres now.” She walked to the back door and gazed up at the black mystery of the hillside, where a faint epark of camp. fire showed through. “I—gort o' b'lieve he's over there— watchin’ me git supper, 1 can't abide hungry folke round me—mebbe he didn’t have enough to eat to home— Ni f ¥ done Wy I jest couldn't sleep hought there was a hungry— bear out there—I couldn't. Bhe went to her cooking-table and began to cut and spread alices of bread, “I give the last mite o° pie in the house to Pa and his boys, but there's eee id plenty o' cookies, Then ere’ a" — She held her knife suspended to listen to an unmistakable step that rounded the house and crossed the porch, There was a light rap at the door, Wealthy had never known fear, but she hesitated a second or two this time. A faint orange light lingered In the afterglow. a figure outlined against the dark- ness of the forest that made her heart thump furtously, @ stranger unlike any one in Whippleton, a young man | in a blue suit and tan shoes. About five fect seven he stood; and he was lifting his straw with respectful grace, not lost upon Wealthy. It showed | Appraised him as) “Good evening, madam. May [ trouble you for a bucket of water? Our machine"—— “Yes—jest you-all wait a minute,” sbe interrupted in a fluttery voice. “Certainly.” He stepped back ac- qulescenuly. She groped her way to the living room, bewildered, yet with a new sense rising strong within ‘her, an official conscience which bade her do her duty or die in the attempt. It had not occurred to her that her ap- pointment would involve such imme- diate fulfilment. The robber had un- doubtedly seen that she was a wom- an and alone. But he didn’t know her! She opened the stand drawer under the family Bible and took from its peaceful hiding place of forty years one of her father’s big cavalry pistols. She drew it fearfully from its holster as she marched back to the well where her prey awaited her, fanning himself with his hat. “If you'll lend me a bucket for a few minutes I'll pump—oh!"”—— He backed off in surprise a pace or two, but did not lose his self-pos- session. “What did you think I wasgoing te do, madam?" “I reckon you never mistrusted that I was deputy sheriff of Butts County? I've been swore in regilar, I—rest you— in the name of the-—of the Pres- ident of the United States, so help me, God.” She drew a deep breath of relief when this feat was accomplished; then, gaining confidence from the puzzigd ease of her prisonor, fell into her citstomary scolding tone. “You-all don’t look like I reckoned you would, and yet you match t description jest exactly. But you don’t look like you done sech things. Mebbe you only jest took to the downward path of sin—and—ruther than send you to the penitentiary"—— “I can't imagine what you're re- ferring to, Mrs, Deputy Sheriff," said the captive, entering the kitchen in obedience to her gesture, his eye on the “firearm” in her shaky hand. March in. You kin set in the rockin’ cheer,” she conceded, poin' ing the muzzle at a fe distance above his head, “T reckon you dinner? “You're correct in your surmise. We got it at a cabin in the hills and it/certainly wasn't dinner.” “Then likely you're hungry now? “Hungry is too weak a word, Mrs. Deputy. Starvation Is the only thing that expresses it.” The deputy sheriff stirred uneasily, Her domestic conscience was gett! the better of her official one. It was the older and stronger at best. I reckon’ you ain't had a real meal sence yisterday?” “You are right again. I apa gettied country and the roads are”. “T never could abide hungry things didn’t have no —no matter what they do Td eveo feed a sheop-stealin’ dog. Bhe moved round uneasily, her pistol still pointed at the wall above him. He bowed his head on his hand in an effort to conceal some lively emotion, His allence forced his captor to a sudden change of front. ‘You-all wouldn't mind cold vict- uals, would you? “Not in the leas “Because I can't cook nothin’ with one hand—an’ my left hand, at that. 1 have got a chicking ready dressed down cellar, but’—she looked sug- gentively at her weapon, Wealthy shook her head reflec. tively. “I think you could," he smiled per. aunaively. y, you-nll," ahe looked up bright- ly, “why can't you help? You've got two hands, I allua sald T wouldn't have no man droppin’ grease round my floor—but ruther than have starvin' folks on my hands I could stand it once.” “Then set me to work. T'll be de- lighted.” “You take and wash your hands tn the washpan there, and tle on that blue apron,” directed Wealthy sertous- ly, The prisoner obeyed with equal solemnity, his guard following him from side to aide of the kitchen. He did not understand the tles of bis pinafore, but managed to fasten it round under bis armpits, “Now, you-all go down cellar and git the ceeeT and potaters and Other t.ings. I didn't “llow to cook it for welf after pa was called away.” She marched him down the dark stairs and round from shelf to shelf while he collected the needful articies, carried ¢ Up and deposited them on the table. Wealthy turned to a cupboard and took out @ canister of coffee, mean- while keeping « wary eye on her vic- tim. “I reckon you-all might grind the ffee while the stove is heatin’ up,” ested, y. But won't you plea tell me what I am arrested for?” be asked sweetly. Wealthy took out a skill ind put It on the stove, considerin; “I don't know ‘bout thi It might be agin the law—helpin’ you-all to rake up an excuse.” t certainly would. 2 could find one this minute if I only knew what I have done. And all this time my two friends are waiting in a dead machine down by the little achool- house for that bucket of water. If ye would only parole me bough to take it to them they would willingly surrender, too, once they see these preparations.” Wealthy thumped down @ crock of butter with her free hand, “Two more! My land! You don't say there was three of you in it?” ‘Yes, and over the most awful roads you ever saw. I could go down in ten minutes to them.” “I reckon you could. And ten min- utes more would take you up in the hills where you could dodge—anybody that might be out huntin’ you-all, No, sir! I ain't so dumb as I look to be, You-all jest ght in and grind that coffee.” Ho was so ignorant of the process that she had to show him how. Then she put the potatoes on to boll and prepared the tomatoes for a a Luckily Wealthy always did her p ing and shelling for the day in tiv morning. She wan perceptibly flur- yied by the difficulties under which she worked thia evening and her pis tol described curious lines as it waved about tn her right hand, but she did remember to keep it on the aide oppo- aite her assistant. His preoccupation and his excessive awkwardness tried gree. He turned upon her with o quick Inquiry as he ground and ground the coffee. “What ia the name of the strange little town that hangs on the moun- tainside about fifteen miles from here?” Wealthy antffed contemptuously. “You can't play that game on me, nuther, if I‘ain't been an officer very jong. T reckon you-all know the pane of that town a heap better than 1 A light broke through the mis'y wonder of his eyes. “Isn't It Samantha? I know, We asked a boy. There was a great ex- cltement there. Somebody had stolen @ dollar and a half from their little tin bank—oh, is that what you're getting my dinner for?” Wealthy was taking down a jar of transparent preserves from a high ehelf, “Ain't you-all got on a blue sutt and tan shoes and @ straw hat? @he demanded in grim triumph. “You're the man that done it, I don't know ‘bout the other two; I don't bDilieve there im no other two, That's jest an excuse to run away, Now, you'll have to go down cellar and fetch up a couple pans o' milk and skim ‘em for cream. I'll carry the light.” “Oh--ah—well, by Jupiter!” mur- mured the prisoner, as he meekly pre- ceded her down the steps, ‘So that's wih.t I'm up against! Well, by George!” He came up again carefully baianc- i @ great flat pan covered with a thick mat of cream, Wealthy at his heels with a candle and her gun. He did not dare lift his eyes from his pan, even at the souffiing sound on the porch, There:was a curiously mi: sled how! from without. He set the pan on the table and wi is f Bite ¢ =i to the screen door, where two amazed faces refiec':d the light from witht: 4 series ¢f groans and yells greeted m. “For the love of Mike, Herb, what does it mean?” A taal as though you'd found “Herb” went off into @ fit jaughter that rendered him less. contagion, arm. “Well, you wasn’t lyin’ © admitted, unsmiling. in, you-all.” Herb recovered eno’ “Jeat wal to genes, “T've an invitation to be for supper—urgent. The landlady will explain.” walk in.” They edged in warily, caps in han foremost one, who was short and fi and prematurely bald, “Landlady a littte off, isnt’ ehe?” whispered the other, a serious, dark- eyed youth with a wistful mouth. Herb smoothed his apron over h chest and answered in a tragic tone. It's no ‘are discoverai!, boys. use, This kind and clever Indy deputy sheriff somewhere and we're arrested for robbing the bank in that little birds’-nest town back over the I'd advise you to surren- der gracefully, for the fare's first claes and I'm sure there's no hotel here. Besides, it might possibly be loaded, mountains, you know. The fat young man had a elow, sonorous manner of speech. He turned to Wealthy with a wonderful bow. “Madam, we surrender and thro’ ourselves upon your mercy. We hope ment and— what was it you said about fare, only for humane tre Herb?" table full of food, epeech The others joined from sheer Wealthy promptly came round and covered them with her fire- after all,” Yes, I'll explain all right, You-all 1 Took you exclaimed the b jerked his head backward at some victuals on them pilates ‘fore long. : : spired. He rubbed his hands dubiously and turned round and round appealingly, but he did not cook. The othors howled in a minor key, Wealthy stared in scorn, “Put that ekillet on a hot place and flour it and fry it in butter,” she elucidated. “He don't ‘pear to be in Dis right mind.” “Oh, yes; she says flowers. Of course I always begin with floivers, Can somebody furnish decorations?” Wealthy looked her alarm at this @ign of aberration, She-gave the flow- ers back to the slender youth and told Herb to fill a plate with flour from @ sifter, which he did, managing, however, to tip the plate in such a Way that it few up and sprayed both Waterson and himself with a amall snowstorm, Wealthy snorted with Ginbuat as the plate was refilled, then @ rolled the pieces of chicken in it herself and dropped them into the @evory hot butter. The three prison- ‘8 aniffed the grateful odors and be- came submissively active. Herb emp- tied the entire pound of coffee into the coffee pot and was about to pour boiling water on it when Wealthy caught sight of the action and lunged forward fe ce it, forgetting all so and waving the wildly in her Motivate a The seriouy youth found himself al. rectly in front of the wun. He es- caped by leaping over # chair and taking refuge behind Herb, who, In in. CHAPTER V. Prison Fare. ATERSON, the boasted cook, stood looking at the chicken while his forehead per- te 4. ‘at tn replied the fat man. “Im- turn, leajed back over the chair to get behind Waterson. Waterss The two ranged themselves side by turning suddenly, himsoit ‘aimed side in a military attitu barrassment. "T Feeiion you're hungry,” were the her culinary patience to the last de- gutomat D GuRd when eame'ts ‘her “Hungry!” croaked both prisoners. “Madam, you were never a fositive ou from justice {n a hostile land! don't know what hunger ie! It 1 positive pleasure to be caught last!" He glanced suggestivel; © and steaming kettle. greatly perplexed. ‘I'm sure with such rush of -of"—— “Robbers,” supplied Herb. “Robbers, /2st at supper time, me not havin’ a pie in the hous Never was caught like that in my time before that I coun recoilect.” “Set them to work, Mra, Vaterson, here, Is a fine cook. Welsh rarebit 1s famous.” nodded modest affirmation, H fore ever the chicking Is put You-all, son, “Hght in an’ cook the chick! quick as ever you can. You-all,” to the youth with the serious eyes, I'll stand In “finish settin’ the table, and await- ed their fate, to Wealthy’s great ein- at the hot Wealthy don't know what to do and Deputy. Waterson tl Yes, and them potatoos'll git done at and started in a trot round the room to keep out of the way of Weal- bewildered circles. She took It at once, at To add to her distraction the chicken was too hot and the potatoes were bolling dry, It was a sharp contrast between her culinary instinct and her official honor, When the young men aaw that she was quite in earnest Waterson squeezed his fat body un- der the table, Herb plunged into « pan closet, knocking down all its clat- tering contents, and the dark-eyed lad ducked under the uplifted band that held the weapon, ‘What's the matter with you-all?” a, she cal: helplessly, “That chick- ing’s a-burnin'! Where's the fork— ob, git me a fork and stop your foolin'!" Nobody dared to stop bis gymnas- until tho pistol was steady, Herb used himself by shying a pan or skillet from his refuge at the dark- yer ho came in range runpin’ from?” above the con. fusion, “I ain't killin’ nobody—ye' “But you're alming at all of w called Waterson from under the the door where I kin see you. You'll ta! find the dishes and things Inthe glass ‘Oh, {a that {t?" she exclaimed, cupboard—no, them's the kitchen embarrassed. “Then do git me a knives—you'd eut your mouthi e’ the drawer.” “T ought to have a pinafore, too, and tle It on. the kitchen than he used. done all the coffee in It make some for suppor. Waterson qu@skly slipped off hi coat and tied on the big blue apron on them, Git the horn-handled ones out id Waterson from the other room. “Yes, you git one out of that closet I never knowed a man yet that didn't spill more butter tn The other feller kin stop grindin’ the mill—he's ng ago—and fork, quick!" She pointed the muzzle at the cell- ing and they flocked round hor. "I never see a pack o' schoolboys t worse. T ain't had so very much @cquaintanos with robbers, I ‘lowed you wan all tryin’ to git away.” Wealthy was thoroughly bewildered, It took her some@ time to find her familiar utensils and apply them; but when the meal was fairly on the table it justified all expectations, though she assured her guests that there was nothing that was fit to eat, with a professional sir. fome things were forgotten—an awk. “Now.” paid Wealthy, quite herself ward preiien ment. sinee she could again, ‘looks like we might Rave not rend lic Ato sista the cream } from his pan of milk without lining up the other two and following the Procession with her gun, In the same order they all had to crowd into the pantry at once to bring the pickled pears anu the dish of honey and the frosted cake and cookies, She seated them all at last, declining their w dine with them. considered one fiv rivately, Wealthy pound chicken all too small for three men, even with the bo a accessorics she had pro- vided, She regarded Waterson as a He placed a brag for her and he replied grimly, "I recko Ave enough to do waiting on you- probably true. sation ran on she had a desolate long- ing to take part in it. Her idea of robbers as @ class was founded upon un occastonal illustration of some cur- rent looting in the gi AOL ody showing the criminal in a perate situation, but her fancy was not lively geonee to visualize thie in @ definite ‘orm, Her guests of the evening were so clean «nd pleasant, so ready in their talk and so entirely different from anybody In Whippleton, that she found herself greatly interested in them. She was also deeply concerned about thelr future punishment, both at har got fathor'n hand, which she believed to ho empowered to the full extent of the law, and in the much more vivid hereafter about which she had heard flery sermons all her life. She took tho opportunity of 4 brief silence to join in the talk in her most soctable inanner. When they could eat no more the deputy sheriff wondered what she should do next with them. Even Moses was missing. She plodded ateadily round her beat, gua im hand, thinking that there waa more Sanger is & stampede now than an hour ‘ore. “May we smoke, Mrs, Deputy?” asked Herb, gently. She heaitated. ‘I—don't know's it's a'gin the law —bnt {t's @ mighty bad habit,” she decided. at CHAPTER VI. By the Intervention of Moses. JT curfew Herb and Water A @on were conducted under | guard to the spotless spare J room and locked tn; but the youth of the dark eyes was not go easily disposed of. It al- most seemed that Wealthy would have to march him around all night, for he had to accompany her back and forth as she looked after ber chickens and goat for the night, “This house ts right onhandy for & calaboose,” sho explained, “on ‘count of havin’ only one key to the downstairs, and that's on the front door, There's @ bolt here and a but- ton on the kitchen door, but no place that would be—safe, as you might say—whon the spare room's full.” She rested her pistol on her hip and motioned him to a seat while puzzled over the situation, "My land, wha’ body to do with three of you?’ “I hope you've got Jewels In a safe place Woalthy glanced the blue sugar bowl on the mantel. Then sho marched ber pet prisoner to a small room opering directly at the top aim. The door swung out inte the passage awkwardly enough. jfaint, made her wonder if th jit from he int invitation to 4, She tied a flatiron to the knob and then hurried down to lock the front door, Bhe found Moses asleep on the veranda, where be had been since sundown. An immediate office for him presented itecif. “Now, look-a-here, you Moses; you kin sleep one place as well as an- other, Come and I'll show you what you're to do. I reckon you haven't et lately?” “Naw, oir,” ald Moses, “Then I'll fetch you up a check to eat in your hand; What you're good for is to lay right across that door, tight Up, and sleep. If it's opened then in the night you'll roll downstairs and I ‘low I'd bear that.” “Yaa'm,” consented Moses placidly. “Let's see you-all do i, then, I'll fetch @ pilier.” He promptly stretched bimeecif across the door and Wealthy nodded with satisfaction. “Jest aa good as a key,” she ob- worved. This happy arrangement left her free to wash her dishes and prepare o do herself proud, N was dane she ventured to go to her own room, She did not mean really to aleep, but was very tired, All seemed to be well, however. Her bu- man bolt and chain was seourely in place; @ contented murmur of talk sprinkled with laughter came from th spare room and Moses's sturdy di tonations proved him to be “on the job. . She began to think what «! do in case she heard him tairs, and the: series of thumps, far aw should a boat was late. She listened to hear ite whistle, but there was only the deep silence of the sum: Bhe opened her eyes. treaming into her room at an angle at which she had n before seen bed. 8 imbied out on the floo horrified thump, hastily dressed herself and went into the pel, Pistol in hand, It was deep- ly allent The api room door was open, as was also that of the little room at the head of the stairs, Moses had van- ished entirely. While she was oon- vincing herself that actually saw here prisoners should «@ chorus of Naa ong! came in through the windows. She lunged down faster than she had ever done ‘The front door stood wide Bhe jolted out with heavy » upon the porch, lounging ly in the morning freshness and smoking sat her three prisoners. In the narrow apace between the foot of the stairs and the door Moses was finishing his slumber with his head before. open. e gurled under fe arm like @ ohicken’s, he landed. For ounce Ithy was Bpeechiess. “Good morning, Mrs. Deputy,” called Herb cheerfull: “You will pardon un for taking such liberties, but it was too splendid a moruing to spend in our room, and we hated to distur’ your rest or that of your sentinel, Ho ma very tired. I wonder If you apprecta' what a beautiful quaint nook of t hat humble sense of fallibil- Jest git so wore out with and responsibility that et up no longer. If we're fe dol like this very hev to larn to set uj real calaboose, reckon Litt) old ice-hounse could be he don't use it no more and It's butlt strong and no winders.” She was fingering her LF age in some doubt. Her captives had the ad- vantage. “Do you mind our ettting here?” asked Herb. “Not if I could stay and guard you- all. But it's time to eat and I can’t cook out he You-all march round to the bench where I kin see you and T'll let you set there.” rehed round the house, lock-step, on ‘anged themselves in fled that they hour, fell to work with the rhythmic precision of long practice. It seemed Incredible that a woman of her size and deliberateness could accomplish such lightning resulta with @ cook- ‘The prisoners could bardly their senses when they fil tol’s point and fitted into at table. Wealthy did istinction of en- Koln’ to often I'll of nights or ha ertatning gree, and to do It In an unofficial capacity wan an event never to be Forgoren. fresh eggs, cream batter pickles, presery Hetous coffees, everything but pte, about which she scolded apogotically with pure delight while her gueste full justice to her effort, “Ef that Moses had turned up in time I might have had chicking this ing, but I can’t leave to kill she concluded. urg a startling sound jerced the quiet morning, a shrill Bigh, prolonged human scream, to the accompantment of florco cackling. ‘The Klass of water which Wealthy was handing to Waterson dropped ( em for the alks. She hurled herself at the door, platol, prisoners, office, all forgotten, in the awakening of alarm for th: most sacred of barn: out to the chick: had been correct. Moses seek ogee an on the pri not finding had 'y ive 'em to me quick and I'll put ‘en back. You've got ‘em all mixed—but I reckon they'll hate! She patted the hens and soothed indignation, red the and looked for fresh ones, before she JOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS This Book on the Stands Will Cost You $1.25. You Get It for 6 Cents. , ten dollars, find out when to a suddenly remembered her trust. Wealthy had not run for twenty-five Years, but she very nearly achieved * that speed now on her way to the " houre. A portentous stillness chilled her as she burried inside. The hoase ‘was deserted. y “Oh, my land!" cried Wealt a nation, “My stars! fo what they'll do next—for, 4 ain't ‘fraid o’ nothin’! And it's along of that no-‘count Moses and him breakin’ up my settin' hens, If | Pa Pergellia is jost bound to 1 Moses he'll have to have @ sure . calaboone,” Nhe wandered throws: the hewse helplessly to make quite certain that tle robbers had gone, as well as to convince herself that they really been there, A vision of three handsome young fellows hanging to ber tree was enough to solace Wealt! ber loss. Her ideas of legal du were nd tragic, . 1 reckon {t's all for the i ves pa @ heap o’ trouble,” a nd place z addressed to her- She pussied over two before it * curred to her to open it, She had occasion to open letters, nhe never failed to send the pont-office, Her Uncie wrote at least once @ year and ber Aunt Tryphena twice as often. When she did take out the sheet withis a bank-note foil out, “What in the world le that for?” she exclaimed in astonishment, “A body'd think that, bein’ ro ‘ they'd take instead of leavin’. \ the bow! with the money in : right there on the mantel. I jest wonder now if that feller th had to pay for the glass he But, m: be hi: roke! land!—that wasn’t worth no By. = oe PR A soar 8 worth over ten By on”—she smoothed out . the bill thoughtfully, “I reckon that || this is geome of the money they stole , or they wouldn't be throwin’ it round eo brash. I reckon a body t to use stolen money, either. No, Pll wend oes back to bank, anyway.” on thumped fh 4 rocking chair and read the note. fully forty te Spee tt ae & crisis, but we really eae net 4 wait for a more formal acknowl- Seema of Ge aaanome. in whic! your of- : fictal duties. ‘Wo ahall be: cerns Sr ige h trees in the it would advise your ‘¢ them in the ground, ag Retin’ "ts St very nah buldings only” Tour + of very ings only. ea shed roof would be too low. 4 also hope that the hens “a Moses an he deserved that a they were not entirely bereaved, Ith very best we are, faithfully yours, THR! ROBBERS. CHAPTER VII. The’ Vigilantes Return. T was half an hour after the escape of her prisoners that ‘Wealthy thought of eonse- stake far away. “You-all onload them apples mighty quick and skip down to the landia’ 4 tell Charile Whipple that he'e ‘watch out for three robbers that the Bamanthy bank and the old boys ts out the hi Buntin’ ‘em wouldn't ‘a’ got away had @ key for a blessed house but one and you robbin’ my settin’ hens o-'oount critter as you be, an’ I see yet what pa ever let At pheny work you off on him try them lege of yourn and tell that.” je first thing she picked up the Express she had been reading night before when her lamp weat Bhe took it with eager interest te the place where she had left off. “Here's where I waa, yes.” — blue suit, sailor hat and shoes. He also wore a gray-and- white striped ebirt and carried small satchel om the beck of motorcycle into which he was to put a package he took from bank. This was undoubtedly the money, and tf he is only overtakes before he makes his escape it wilh be recovered, Great consternation Js felt in business cirgies over the affair, especially as Mr, Oreott, prow ident of the bank, ie spending the summer in the Far West on account of bie health, Mr. Porter Jones, the vice-president, assures us, that the k iL positively net fect the solvency of the bank. It ts hinted that others besides de poaltors will mourn the sudden parture of Mr. Hunter, as he extremely popular in society, was rumored that be had favor with one of Samantha's ext daughters. ‘Wealthy pored over this te the last rious syllable. Um-bm, a Grey ane -vhin and a blue tie. ot one of them bers bad on ray-ene-whle : id a blue th took partic'lar because I wanted the patters # of ‘em, ai bein’ only next wouldn't u owned up to iti themselves that A we all right they'd ‘a’ told , that, what A ‘ > and the old ‘ pe reo! feller . ‘tebe C HH ef i i ! 2 Ff He rE i page t Fe