The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-04-28

theiI hdhu7' just hOld tnls plstOl 70
his head, and be will rest very easy"
Even while he spoke Bixby was IN.
side the door again, and the CLEAN Of
| light which followed showed that he
| bad recovered bis lantern and meant to
do his work thoroughly.
Foster Houghton's left hand hai
been guided to the collar of bis captive,
aud the revolver had been thrust into
bis right. There was no question Of
the composure of the robber now He
painted and sobbed and shook, and
made no effort to tear himself from the
feeble grasp that confined him.
If the cashier had been iTesolute
all his life, he did not wayer for an IN
slant now. He did not query within
himself what was his duty, or what was
prudent, or what his wife would ad-
advise, or what the bank directors
would think. sga ...
Harry" he whispered hoarzely bis
lips close to the mask, II know you"
The shrinking figure gave one great
sob. Foster Houghton went right on
without pausing,
"Bixby does not know you, ard
there is time to escape yet. l shall fire
this pistol III the air. Run for your lfe
to your horse there, and push on to
Tinborough You can catch the train.
May God forgive you" ...-.
The figure caught the hand which
he'd released its hold as the words were
spoken, and kissed it. Then, turning
back as if upon a sudden impulse. the
rObber murmured something which
could not be understood, and thrust
into the cashiers hand a mass of chilly
metal which his intuition rather than
his touch recognized as Peleg Hough-
toms watch and chain. lie had pres
ence of mind enough to conceal it in
his pocket, and then he fred his pistol,
and he heard the sound of flying feet
and rattling wheels as Silas Bixby ac-
cOstcd him
"What in thunder did he wriggle
away from ye7 why did Mt you sing
ont sooner"
~ think I am getting faint In
Heavens name go quick to my house
and release my wife and tell her allis
safe. The fright of these shots will
kill her."
Foster Houghton sunk in a swoon
even as he spoke, AMI only the quick
arm of Silas BIxby saved him from a
fall on the stone steps
"See here, boys" said he. "If you
have got those fellows tied up tight,
one Of you take Squire Houghton and
bring him to, and I'll 90 over to his
house and unite his wife, before l start
after that pesky little rascal that has got
away II l had "a supposed be would
dare to risk the pistol | should have
hung ON to him myself. Mike, you
just keep your revolver cooked, and if
either of them more than winks, shoot
him where he lies"
Having Thus disposed of his forces,
and provided for the guard Of the pris-
oners and the restoration of the dis
abled, the commander was off at run.
Half Elmgeld seemed to have been
awakened by the shots, and be was
met by hali-dozcn lightly clad men
and boys whom he sent on this errand
and that, to open the lookup under |
the engine-house, to harness horses for
the pursuit, vouchSafng only very curt /
replies to their eager questions as to !
what had happened. He was exasper- !
ated on arriving at Foster Houghton's /
dwelling to Gnd the door locked and /
the windows fastened So he raised /
a stentorian shout of, "Its-all-right |
Mrs. Houghton Robbers-caught
.and-nobody-hurt''; separating his
words carefully to insure being UNDER
stood; and then scud at iull speed back
toward the bank again. He met half
way an excited, talkative little group !
the cenUaifgure Of which was the CASH 7
cashier ofgthe bank, restored to life, but /
still as white as death, and supported
by friendly hands Assured that
hlmsclf was now able to re-
ease his wife, Bixby ran onto the green,
md in five minutes more was settled in
his gig, and urging his cheerful little
Jay Morgan over the road to Tinbor-
1ugh, mentally putting into form his
for the Trumpet ss he
vent Siam .....-
Thus it came about that it was Fos.
er Houghton himself who unloosed his
yife's bonds, bending his gray head,
IS he did so, to print a kiss of
sorrow and sympathy on her wrinkled
,heek, and leaving tear there.
"He has escaped" he said, "abd is
IN the road to the station"
"Will he not be overtaken7"
81 think not. He has a fair start
md knows what is at stake and the
rain passes through before daylight"
Then the woman's heart, which had 4
,orne her bravely up so far, gave way,
md she broke into terrible sobs; and
he husband who would comfort her
vas himself overcome by the common
,rief, and could not speak a word.
Silently they suffered together, pressing
ands, until the entering light OF dawn l
eminded them that even this day had
Iuties and perhaps new phases Of sor-
ow, They could hear the quick steps
If passers evidently full of excitement
ver the event of the night, and talking
Il together. They could not be long
Eft undisturbed. As they dressed.