The Lincoln County herald., 1870-02-10

furniture consisted Of deal table and a
few rickety chairs, on one Of which was
seated, in the midst Of five men closely
masked. A dim lamp ackered on the
table, on which were also pen, ink, and a
blank check properly stamped.
Without waiting to be asked, drew
forward my chair and took up the pen.
A thought flashed upon me Suppose
disguise my hand, will not the check be
deemed forgery, and the man who pre-
sents it be arrested, and thus clue be
afforded which may lead TO my release ?
But found l was reckoning without
my host.
"Be sure"-it was always the same
voice that spoke, aud it had strange
way Of impressing ono that it meant what
it said-"be sure to write in your natural
hand for if aught befals the messenger
or prevents his safe return within an hour
after his departure, your life shall pay
the forfeit.
filed up the check in my usual hand
afixng my ordinary signature, not for
getting to cancel the stamp.
My eyes we're again bandascd, and my
arms pinioned as before.
At length l heard some one 60 out
Doubtless it was the messenger.
The echo of the messengers $ departing
footsteps seemed hardly to have died
away when the stiffness was broken BY
that voice in which it seemed impossible
for any good thing to be uttered.
"The time is almost up" it said, ad
dressing knew not whom; "get you
knife ready, for we dare not risk pisto
shot here"
A short pause ensued, when some ont
approached and lai'l hand upon my
arm. | could not see, but felt that tn,
weapon was raised with which the fata
blow was to be dealt. The very uncer
tainty as to when and where it was to fal
rendered it impossible to nerve my sci
against it.
But bark somebody is hurrypg VI
the steps The door is flung open
"Ali right" it exclaims-not the SANE
one this time-"l have the money y
The hand is Withdrawn from my arm
Thank God, am saved The messenge
has returned unharmed!
But bark, again
There is rapid shuffling Of other foot
steps on the stair. way. My heart leap
at the sound. Can it be friends at last
"Fire on tie first n,an that raises
.fnger!' shouted full manly voice, as it
owner, in company with could not tel
how many others, rushed into the ON
| In trice my eyes we're uncovered an
my arms set free. 1t was Archy Burtol
that did it, while my foes stood cowcrin
before the leveled revolvcrs of half dozc
policemen.
"How in the world did you find inc
Archy9" 1 cried, graspng his arm il
transport Of joy.
"By the merest Of all chance" he said
81 was so surprised at your failure Il
meet me last night, that called at you
lodging this morning to ascertain the rea
F son, when, to my still greater ostonish
ment, learned you had not been thcr
since yesterday evening. had not tim
to look for you, however, as had to b
at the bank be,imes. | am clerk at tn
- National you know. | happened t
be passing behind the paying teller whe
your check was presented. Its amour
almost your enti,e balance-unprepo'
sessing appearance of the man who pre-
sented it, and your own mysterious disar
pearance, all combined to make INC sus
pect something wrong. Without impair
ing my suspicious to any one, | deter
mined to follow the stranger at a caution
distance, which did, picking up fe,
blue coats by the way, and, as Mr.. Merry
man says at the circus, "here We are"
; "God bless yol, Archy" | said, an
Helen said so, too, when he came to tn
wedding that evening.
or course | recovered my money, an
the FIVE robbers are now in the Toni
awaiting trial, or least they ought to b.