Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-10-07

| mcnt nc was planning hlmselt fOr ms
rashness in doing what might have
been a lasting injury to the youth; at
the next was trembling with horror for
| the banker.
"What on earth can Smallweed
meanp' he asked himself. "He surely
don't know that Walter is suspected.
yes, known to be n highwayman. Well,
I'm going to town next Thursday to
take Mr.. Brown in, and III Just call on
Mr.. Smallweed and tell him all about
the boy. | don't want to do Walter
any harm, but must dc my duty as a
| good citizen"
Bill Martin heard the news and hur-
riod 10 convey It to Jack Hawkins.
Together they chuckled in their glee to
think that the new "pal was gettin' in
his work so nice"
Walter went carefully about his du-
| ties, vet grew somewhat nervous as
the fatal day drew near. He and Mr..
Smallweed had secret interviews with
the sheriff, in which every thing was
revealed in such straightforward
manner that both the sheriff and the
banker were compelled to believe that
the youth was in earnest Walter at
times felt a twinge of conscience. Was
IL right to betray even a robberP He
was in no sense traitor, as he had
never had their cause at heart At
most he was but a spy. and one upon
whom circumstances had forced the
| arduous task.
Il shall not live 10 see this matter
over with" he said to the sheriff and
banker; "they will not hesitate to kill
me.n
Tuesday before the fatal Wednesday
there was to be a meeting of the
knaves at the old log hut in the forest
| Walter had promised 20 attend this
meeting, and getting leave of absence
| from his employer on Tuesday after
noon, set out on foot for Jack Hawk
ms house. The thoughts of Walter
Brownfeld as he trudged along the
road were gloomy. But forty-eight
hours would elapse when the false
mask he had worn would be thrown
aside forever. Perhaps a shroud and
a coffin would be assumed in its place.
Would the public indorse his act, and
would he be once more accepted in So
cietyP He was cast out without his
fault; branded as a thief and swindler
by Joe Brewster, for an offense he
never committed. Sometimes he
thought that he would not have been
to blame had he gone in with the rob-
bers in earnest, and shared their
profits; then the face of his dead
mother. and the lessons of honesty she
had taught him on her knees, arose be-
fore him, and he drove all such things
from his mind.
''God forgive me and aid metz he
| calculated. IL need Thy strength now
more than ever before in my life. "
He reached Jack Hawkins house
and found the villain reioiced to meet
him. At dark Bill Martin and Jack
harnessed up the team to the wagon,
and the three getting in drove to the
log hut. Here they met five other ruff
fans, and all went in.
Light a candle Bill" said Jack.
''an' ye, Tom Chamberlin. stand guard
outside. Now keep yer eyes and ears
open"
II will, Capt'in," said Tom, tall,
burly looking fellow, whom Walter
had seen several times about Bushville
and the Flat. He was never known to
work, but spent most of his time drink
ing mean whisky and playing cards in
the village.
Walter gazed around over the viii
lainous crowd, meeting their cold muir
derous eyes, and his heart sank within
him. There was not man in there,
he felt assured, who would not stab
him to death on the slightest provOra.
ton. The candle burned dimly. and
the badly lighted room had ghastly
appearance at best. With those horri-
Bile, fierce looking men in the fore
ground picture was formed calculated
TO make the bOldest shudder.
Now" said Jack Hawkins, taking
scat on the wide bench with an air
of authority, ''let's persue at onc't 20
bis ness. Walt, what hev We TO report?'
The rufiians waited eagerly, liking
their eyes upon him. Walter then pro-
ceedcd TO state that he had managed 10
secure a position as a clerk in the bank
of Mr.. Smallweed.
They're got considerable chink
there, ehl' said Jack, winking grcedily
at his companions.
YES, sir, suppose there is now in
the bank, in gold, at least three hun
dred and fifty II not four hundred thou
sand dollars Walter answered, with
an air Of truthfulness.
"Listen at that, boys" said Jack.
with another knowing wink. -Four
hundred thousand dollars in gold "
Silence fell on the dark group, but
Walter could see the villainous clutch
of those greedy hands.
"W all, now, hev We examined the
bank an vaultg Dye know where the
money is kept?"
Yes, it Is in the vault which can be
forced, or blown open with powder. l
know all about the building"
"WhO sleeps in the bank?'
'Mr. Rockwell, the book-keeper."
1--WE kin easy cut his throat - said
Jack Hawkins. az coolly as if he had
been talking about plowing field Of
corn.
"How are the doorsp"
"The front door is bolted and barred
on the inside of night, but the win
dow on the right l can pass in and out
at"
"Well, which will It be best for MS to
come in through. the window or the
doorP"
"The door" answered Walter IF
we can get it open, and can open it
on the inside"
For few moments Jack Hawkins
bowed his head in thought. Waiter
shuddered. for well he knew what the
dark thoughts Of that villain were;
raising his eyes Till they met Walters,
he said:
i've got the plan all laid out now.
Wen be under the old bridge. Ye
must come out Of the winder when all
is ready, fur ef the door wer' open il
might excite suspicion. Come down
after us, then 20 back through the win
der and unbolt the door. Yc must take
this dagger and drive it 10 the heart of
that feller Rockwell, what stays there
o. nights, with you
Walter took the dagger. which was
In a sheath, and put It IN bis pocket
"Remcmber now said Jack, laying
bis hand on the youths shoulder. "ef