The Republican journal., 1881-01-27

But soon a strong blow with the
clenched hand upon his arm caused his
weapon to drop from his grasp. The
two men closed, and determined strug-
| gle ensued for the possession of the knife
The others darted to seize it, when a
kick in the face from Hardy's boot
stretched one of them full length upon
the bridge.
The contest on both sides was desper-
ate. 1t was no longer robbery but muir
der. The girl attempted to render her
brave companion some assistance, but
she was brutally thrust against the rail-
ing.
By deXterous kick Hardy succeeded
in sending the knife flying off the bridge,
and Immediately thereafter, having push
ed his assailant against the other railing,
suddenly picked him up and threw him
headlong into the mud beneath. 1t was
a fall of fifteen or twenty feet
| The remaining robbers, evidently dis
couraged at the determination and i'm
mense strength Of Hardy, and disgusted
with an enterprise that had already cost
them so dear, were easily put to flight by
knife that Hardy whipped from his
| pocket.
He was master of the field. 4 dead
body remained.
He quickly removed the gag from the
mouth Of the fainting girl. lie restored
! to her the iewelry the robbers had drop
ped. The blood covered his face.
"You are seriously hurt" she said, as
soon as she could recover her speech
1T is nothing he replied. wiping the
blood from his face.
Nevertheless, he walked unsteadily as
they proceeded, and at length was com
PEELED to stagger against fence and lean
upon it for support. Every noble and
generous feeling in the girls heart was
aroused. There was no longer any cere-
mony between them. She put ber hand
caressingly on his face. Then she took
it away and looked at it by the light of
the lamp. 1t was stained with blood.
Soon he reganed his strength and they
continued on their way. They stopped
before the gate.
"Come in,' she said this will be your
home until YOU are we'll" And she add
| ed, somewhat embarrassed, "NOu are a
hero"
"Thank you. must go. Good d-night."
"Iou must come. shall never forgive
YOU if YOU don't. ! may never see you
again.
"Perhaps not" he said, bitterly.
This made her thoroughly determined
to detain him. She had a strong will,
but his was stronger. She became almost
angry; then she bit her lips in the dark,
and implored him to remain.
He declined in respectful, kindly way.
"Well, them" she said, ''vherc do YOU
live ?"
"NoWhere.'
please tell me"
"NoWhere."
"Wil you let me know Tomorrow ?"
'I don't know"
'please do
"Perhaps. Here is a street car. Good
night"
Then she did foolish thing. She
threw her arms around his neck and kiss
ed him. He felt doubly a conqueror.
There was tremendous excitement over
the affair. The police were informed as
soon as the girls father could hear the
terrible story and reach the police sta
ton. The officers could find only guam
| tity of blood on the bridge, the body hay
ing been removed. Vigorous search for
several days failed to reveal the identity
of the robbers Several arrests were made
and the strictest vigilance maintained,
but without avail.
Another mysterious development was
the disappearance of Hardy. He could
not be found. However, on the second
day the old family physician Of the Morris
household came painting up the walk in
great excitement, and exclaimed to the
girl:
II have found him"
She turned pale with excitement and
JOY.
"Where is he ?" she asked breathlessly.
"Jump into my buggy, and I'll take
you to him"
She did 50. They found him in a small
dilapdated abode house on Market street,
with Spanish family. He was delirious
and in a high fever. The girl sat down
by the bed, took the hot hand in hers,
| and before the old doctor knew what
was coming next she commenced to cry
Then she kissed Hardys hand.
The old man took her home, and she
came twice a day to see him, bringing
her father or mother, and always taking
some delcacy and doing whatever kind
and generous heart could suggest. Gradu-
ally he recovered, and as soon as he could
be moved he was taken to her home.
There he became entirely well. BY his
patience and genteness he won the hearts
Of every one-eXcept the girls. Hers
was won already.
Time slipped away. Hardy was es-
ia hljShad in hnSiyacS Inv tha nrot nj
father Poor old "Tarantula Joe," who,
unaccountably, seemed to be a great fa-
vorite with the young man, was allowed
to sit in the kitchen and drink a dozen
champagne on the night of the wedding
Of Sophronia Morris to John Hardy-a
brilliant affair by the way.
\ few months ago Hardy was reading
the morning paper, when a bright ray of
sunshine came in through the door. 1t
was Hardy's wife, the happiest and
proudest woman on the Alameda.
''AIy DEAR he said, ''have we lived
happily these two years p
"Why, John, what question !"
"And you have never regretted meet
ing the seedy stranger on Santa Clara
street two years and half ago."
81 regret nothing, John, and you know
it. didn't know what life was until |
met you. But, oh what horrible night,
wasn't it, John?'
awful" he calculated, with broad
look Of mischief in his eyes.
"What makes you look that way, John
You are so provoking"
81 am a villain, dear"
"What do you mean ?"
''Do you remember the robbers ?'
''l think do They nearly killed you"
"They were friends Of mine, dear"
"John Y she exclaimed, stunned.
"Absolutely true Old ''Tarantula Joe"
and put up job, so that could clean
'em out, become a hero and then marry
YOU"