Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-30

The figure was that of tAa stranger.
The horse was Fizzletop's.
The change from good humor to indig-
nation was extreme. Even before the
unconscious man was pronounced still
alive several were making toward the
she'd in search of rope. The report Of
Fizzletop's pistol had quickly attracted
number of spectators, and TO these Dad
Tangle was expounding on the keenness
of his perception of character, and his
ability in particular to detect horse
thief "at first squint
Strange TO say. Fizzletop seemed to
take the affair more calmly than the
others
"Give the man chance he said. az
the rope was brought up ready noosed
lie can't escape Let's carry him over
to his cabin and give him trial.
After good deal of grumbling at
putin the thing off, this was finally
agreed TO, but Dad insisted on taking
the rope along so that it would be on
hand when wanted. It was only a few
steps to the strangers cabin, and when
Fizzletop's horse had been returned to
the shed there the unconscious man was
borne.
After forcing open the door and de-
posting the limp figure in the already
lighted room the men proceeded to ex-
anime carefully the interior, and many
were the exclamations of surprise at the
shelves of books, the great lamp, and the
general air of neatness. But the SUI
preme sense of Saddletown justice was
not to be shaken by mere sentimentallty.
Dad Tangle had just delivered himself
of the opinion that as the stranger had
been seen making off with the horse no
trial was needed, when one of the men
suddenly interrupted him with;
"Helloi what's this?"
In moment the crowd was clustered
spellbound around the speaker.
On a peg hung a little frock, while be-
meath rested pair of tiny shoes
The rough, hard faces were studies in
their varied expressions.
1t was Fizzletop who broke the spell
Without a word he stepped quickly to
the bedside and pushed aside the curtain.
On the pillow lay a flushed little face,
amid tangle of golden curls.
One or two of the miners turned away
with heads bent forward on their breasts.
Fizzletop's hand trembled strangely as
he held aside the curtain, and old Dad
Tangle essayed to speak, and got as far
as swell, I'll be -" when something
seemed to choke him, and, after swallow
ing suspiciously two or three times, he
made his way, uncertainty out of doors.
The light on the tiny face awakened
the little sleeper, and the blue eyes opened
wonderingly.
"Where is papa?"
Several more of the group, with silent
and unsteady steps, passed out through
the open doorway.
"He's a-a-asleep now, Fizzletop an
swered hllskily, and the curtain dropped
to conceal the motionless figure on the
floor.
@He said he was going to bring doc
tor for me, said the childish voice.
Fizzletop started.
"A doctor here in town." he asked
with quick earnestness
-Oh, no." answered the little one
simply. "The people in town wouldn't
help us
"But have you no nanny, deary9"
@Mamma is dead, said the child
gravely.
Without another word Fizzletop
turned. With one bound he placed his
ear 10 the figure on the floor.
"Of with his coat, boys, he whis-
pered hoarsely, and he dashed through
the doorway and moment later there
was Gathering of flying hoofs
So the little flushed face had doctor
after all, and the doctor had two patients
instead of one.
"They'll both be all right in a few
days. he said to the circle of anxious
faces as he rode away. Il knew the
man over. in Frisco. He's heartbroken
and despondent over the loss of his wife,
but he's a first rate fellow.
1t would be untrue to say that in after
DAYS the tall slight figure was the most
popular one in town, for the most popu-
lar was not man at ali; but then, next
to the little golden haired girl came the
sfranf,ar --TDatroit Free Press