The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-31

One evening in the springtime he told Ethel of his love, and asked her to be his wife.
 | "I cannot answer that question, dear Jim," said the girl. "Myself is the only reward which I can offer to any man, because have naught else. So 1 have long ago made up my mind to keep myself to offer, if needs be, as a reward to the man who shall kill or capture Kansas. If it were not for that firm resolve, I would say Yes at once, for Jim, you deserve my love and all can give you. But do not ask me, dear. Perhaps Kansas will be captured, anyhow, and soon, by some one who will never think of reward. Then-well, don't think badly of me, Jim, dear; two things will make me a happy girl-vengeance on Kansas, and the right to call you my husband" :"
 Parson Jim heard these words sadly enough; but he thought too much of Ethel and her resolves to seek hastily to turn her from her purpose even for his own benefit.
 Early in the following summer, to- wards sunset, Ethel sat on the porch of the parsonage quite alone. The parson was away, and had been away all day, and might not return until the following evening. One of the men from the gulch approached and doffed his hat
 "Parson in, Miss?"
 FNo, Zeke; he is away today"
 "Well: l wuz jest a-goin' ter tell him that we've got news that Kansas IS likely ter be up ter mischief way about ten miles along ther valley ter night. It's the first time we e'er got pointer as ter Kansas tricks, an some uv us thought as like enuff we might make little crowd to down his nobs. Parsons mostly game fer business that's right an' squar', so I kim up ter tell him."
 EthePs eyes flashed, and the warm blood coursed quickly through her veins, as wild thought occurred to her. She could ride like an Indian, and she was dead shot; Parson Jim had taken special delight in making her a good horsewoman and clever with pistol.
 "I will go," she said. "I'm not going to ask if may go; Pm going, Zeke."
 "All right, miss; only it's risky work, an not fit fer ladies. Mebbe ther parson wouldn't like fer yer to. go?"
 "Yes, he would, Zeke-yes, he would. Don't you know-don't you remember all about my poor father? l will go and if I get within range of Kansas will shoot him without mercy"
 So Ethel joined the party of fifteen or twenty armed men who rode out that night for the purpose of captur- ing, if possible, Kansas and his desper- adoes. They rode in as wide line as the valley would permit, so that no company of horsemen might pass them unnoticed, and this plan proved good one. About ten o'clock at night they espied four horsemen, evidently awaiting the coach, and closed in upon them. Zeke insisted on keeping Ethel Winship back, and made her promise to stay with him if the boys could ef- feet a quite capture. But, no; the outlaws knew that certain death awaited them should they be cap- tured, and resolved to fight dearly for their lives. Thefe was sharp, quick interchange of pistol shots. Three of the robbers and three of their pursuers fell from their saddles The fourth desperado put spurs to his horse and dashed right through the crowd of miners, who, in their surprise at his action, allowed him to pass. The des- perate man emptied all the charges of revolver behind him, as he galloped, threw the pistol down, and drew an- other from his belt He rode in the direction of Ethel and Zeke, and they could see that he twas a magnificent man, with long black hair and black moustache.
 "Kansas l" muttered Zeke.
 Ethel no sooner heard that detested name than she leveled a revolver at the man riding rapidly past. It re- quired steady arm and a sure eye to hit such a mark, but she did it. Click -bang-and bullet lodged in the brain of the highwaymaD. A dozen men rode up and lifted the man. He was dead.
 They laid him back on the ground, and one of the men, more curious than the rest, proceeded to examine the wound in his temple. To do so, he brushed back the long black hair, and discovered that it was false. Then he looked closely at the heavy moustache.