The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-10
CHAPTER v.

| AnS Oiu SCHucndn tSdoiIY gave ms con- sent, declaring that Lanette's choice was his choice. Mrs. Gosman had very little to say, but shimmering like a piece of satin, said that she had no objection to me.
 One day, about two weeks from the time appointed for our marriage, de- cided to go over and catch few trout. Bob was not at home, and as the distance was too great for Lanette to walk, con- cluded to go alone.
 "You must be back by four o'clock, t" said Lanette.
 "But how am l to know2 have no watch"
 "Couldnt you take the clock under your arm?''
 Hardly"
 "Wait. Bob has a watch up stairs. He never wears it, but l don't suppose he would care if you were to take it. Just wait a minute and I'll wind it up and set it"
 A few moments later she returned with the watch. could scarcely repress an exclamation;" J. L. H." engraved on the case. said nothing, but after leaving the house, examined the watch. It was mine, unmistakably. Could it be possi- ble that Bob was one of the train rob- bers? l was so disturbed that, taking no interest in fishing, soon returned to the house. As neared the gate, saw that Bob had returned. Seeing me, he came forward and said:
 "Lapette tells me that she let you take my watch"
 "Yes, here it is."
 "Of course it is safe in your hands but"
 "But what?" asked.
 "Oh, nothing"
 "Seems to be an excellent time keeper, Bob. Where did you get it ?"
 "Oh, by the way of a chance" he re- piled, bat could see that he was con- fused. "Ah," thought I, that night as lay in bed, "that is doubtless one reason why you deserve the name of Wild Bob. Marry the sister of an outlawl shud- dered. Yes, would marry her, even though she were an outlaw herself. It was my duty though to have Bob ar rested. What thought! It would almost kill his parents. "I will wait until after we are married," I unused, but must discharge my duty"
 The very next morning, upon taking up newspaper, saw that one of the Missouri train robbers had been captured. "He had in his possession" continued the account, a number of valuable watches. When asked why he had not disposed of them, he replied he was afraid that such step might lead to his detection, and that it had been his intention to leave the country and sell them. The chief of police, St. Louis, requests that those who lost watches during the late train lob bery in this state, will please furnish him with description of property"
 Although was satisfied that Bob had my watch, yet wrote to the St. Louis chief of police, and, to my infinite sur prise, received, few days later, my watch. Now l could see a difference though very slight, between my watch and Bob's, but could not account for the same initials. This thought puzzled me: Why should he have shown such embarrassment when asked him where he got the watch? was determined to find out so, accompanying Bob to his room, related the circumstances of the train robbery and then showed him my watch.
 "Why, it is just like mine P he ex- claimed. "SAme initials too. We'll, it is strange, surely"
 "So strange, Bob, that don't under stand it. Tell me, where you got your watch. Of course it is no business of mine, but would like to know"
 "I got it from friend"
 "Yes, Bob, but why were you embar- rassed when asked you concerning it r
 For few moments he remained silent. A cloud crossed his face. Passing his hand over the face, as though he would rub the cloud away, he said:
 "One of the best friends l ever had was James L. Harmon. This watch once belonged to him. One night he toek it of and gave it to me in payment of a gambling debt took it, jokingly, in tending to return it, but the first thing saw upon taking up the morning paper, next day, was that James had been killed while in saloon. The horrible affair occurred a short time after he left me"
 Bob, you will never know what relief you give me-"
 "How so?"