The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-26

many years ago. We were getting poor, too,
know, and my father had some plans of his
own, but what they were do not know. If
you will help me to get living here shall
be much obliged, and / am willing to try
anything"
my poor child" said Parson Jim in his
kindly voice, 81 am truly sorry for you. 1T
you can be content in my rough home for
while, stay here until we can manage some
thing better for you. / have no one for
whom care, or who cares for me-only the
boys in. the camp. But those same boys will
tell you that not hair of your head shall be
hurt while you stay under myToof. l have
plenty of this worlds wealth-more than the
boys imagne-and can afford slight addi-
tion to my family"
So she stayed. and found that Parson Jim's
words were true. She could not have been
treated more as a lady had she been an earl's
daughter and the guest of adowager duchess.
AS the weeks passed, Parson Jim managed
to add compile of cute little rooms to the
parsonage, one of which was "my lady's
chamber" and the other the 'parlor.'
Then, too, pretty carpets and furniture came
from Denver, and the boys began to think
the Parson was putting on ''lugs." But
they excused good deal in the Parson, and
really wed with one another in paying hon.
age in their rough way to the Parsons ward.
OF course they soon knew the story; and
Parson Jim had shown the Hon. Samuel
Green and one or two others the note that
Kansas had left with Ethel Winship.
Months fed, and Ethel stayed on at the
Gulch. She became contented and much
appreciated the Parsons care and efforts to
make her comfortable. She showed her
gratitude in hundred womanly ways, and
kept the parsonage as neat and pretty as If
it had been in Massachusetts or the English
midlands, instead of in wild Colorado val
ley. Only, every time news came of rob-
berry or murder by Kansas and his gang
would the poor girl become agitated, and cry
for vengeance on the man who took from
her dear father
Three years slipped quickly away at
George Washington Gnlch. The robber had
evidently not forgotten his promise to pro-
vide for the girl for, at odd times, package
of money had been found on the outside of
the Parsons window-sil, marked From
Kansas" 1t had alwas been placed there
over night, in mysterious manner, for no
ono was ever seen to do it. Parson Jim him
self still preached every Sunday in the Sam
pie Rooms, and was still prime favorite
with the miners, though they sometimes
wondered why man who was evidently so
well fixed" as the Parson should elect to
stay in a rough, out-of-the-way place like the
Gulch.
Ethel Winship had grown into beautiful
woman, and was as good as she was pretty.
Parson Jim perceived this. Parson Jim was
in love with his ward.
One evening in the springtime he told
Ethel of his love, and asked her to be his
wife.
81 cannot answer that question, dear jim"
said the girl. myself is the only reward
which l can offer to any man. because / have
naught else. So | have long ago made up
my mind to keep myself to offer, if needs be,
7 as reward to the man who shall kill or
capture Kansas. If it were not for that firm
resolve, / 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 happy girl-veu-
geance 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, towards
Ill Il 49, - H.
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
dotted his hat.
"Parson in, miss? ''
mo, Zeke; he is away to-day"
swell, wuz jest a-goin to tell him that
we've got that Kansas is likely ter be
up ter mischief way about ten miles along
| Their valley ter-night It's the first time we
| e'er got a pointer as ter Kansas tricks, an
some NV us thought as like enuff we might
make a little crowd to down his nobs.
Parsons mostly game fer business that's
right an squar', SO kim up ter tell him"
Ethel's eyes flashed, and the warm blood
coursed quickly through her veins, as wild
tHOuShb OCCulICu W Htls ouC CUulu Iluc ilhc
an Indian, and was dead shot; Parson Jim
had taken a special delight in making her a
good horsewoman and clever with pistol.
81 will CO." she said. 'rm not going to
ask if may go; Pm going, zeke."
''All right, miss; only it's risky work, an
not fit fer ladies. Mebbe the Parson
wouldn't like fer yer to go?"
eyes, he would, Zeke-yes, he would.
Don't you know--don't you remember all
about my poor, poor father? aciH go; and
if 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 capturing, II possible,
Kansas and his desperadoes 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
effect quick capture. But, no; the outlaws
knew that certain death awaited them
should they be captured, and resolved to
fight dearly for their lives. There was
sharp, quick interchange of pistol-shots.
Three Of the robbers and three Of their pur-
suers fell from their saddles. The fourth
desperate put spurs to his horse and dashed
right through the crowd of miners, who, in
their surprise at this action, allowed him to
pass. The desperate man emptied all the
charges of his revolver behind him. as he
galloped, threw the pistol down, and drew
another from his belt. He rode in the direc-
tion of Ethel and Zeke, and they could see
that he was magnificent man, with long
black hair and a black moustache.
Kansas muttered Zeke.
Ethel no sooner heard that detested name
than she levefled revolver at the man riding
rapidly past. 1t required steady arm and
sure eye to hit such mark; but she did it.
Click-bang-an a bullet lodged in the
brain of the highwayman. 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
4; hat IL folc