The Worthington advance., 1892-12-29

He recognized in the leader of the
plotters Dave Mowley, new settler of
questionable character, who had q
small cabin near those bluffs. BY some
few persons he was secretly suspected
of having some connection with an out
law gang of Indian Territory; but he
had managed to keep up semblance
of respectability by working part of
his time for Gray, wealthy stockman,
some twenty miles from Big Elm.
"Mowley has appeared in his true
character at last Tom remarked, as
he hurried along toward Fowler's cabin.
But I'll foil him.
! Then he remembered his injured
right arm. He could not use his revol-
yer easily with his left hand. What was
he to do?
| IN prove poor match against those
two villains, my arm this way" he
said. There's not house along this
trail where can stop for help, and it's
too far to go home and tell them. The
least delay now is dangerous 1 must
save Bessie or die in the attempt"
Bessie Fowler was putting out the
light, preparatory to retiring, when a
gentle rap on the window-pane startled
her.
"Oh. Tom! What's the matter?"
"Hush! Don't alarm your mother
yet Let me into the kitchen at once. -
She quickly complied. AS she closed
the door behind him. she cried:
"Oh, Tom! Is something wrong with
father?"
Hes all right. I believe, only gone
on false errand."
"False errand! What do you mean,
Tom?'
mo matter. Is there valuable let
ter in the post Office for Ranchman
Tompson?" he asked.
YES"
"You must be brave, Bessie, and help
me. Mowley and another villain will
make a raid on the post office tonight
to get possession of it," and he briefly
related the plot of the robbers whom
he had overheard.
"What can we do?" said the girl,
with white face. "We're so far from
all aid, and your arm hurt that way
''Never fear, Bessie; we'll battle
them some way. Let us go into the
post Office. want to take some
notes."
The post Office of Big Elm was kept
in a room which had once been used
as the Fowler kitchen. A long table
surmounted with box divided off into
rude pigeon holes for holding the mail
stood in one corner. The table had one
large drawer, which contained the
| efo1 oil ~ 1o<
coming to or leaving the Office.
The room had only one window,
while just beneath it was large trap.
door, leading into the cellar. Tom re-
ceived an idea.
"Bessie, is the outside cellar door
locked?'
"Yes; securely"
''Well, you take Tompson's letter
, and all tho stamps and hide them in
your room. See that all the windows
are secured, then put out tho lights
and get quiet I'll stay here"
i Halfway to Gray's ranch, Fowler
met one of the cowboys who told him
that Mr.. Gray was not at home.
Guessing at once that he was the vic.
tim of false message, he rode frantic.
ally back to Big Elm.
It was nearly midnight, and q dim
light burning in the post Office assured
him that something must be wrong.
Jumping from his horse, he flung the
door wide open, and stood staring at
4 the unexpected picture that met his
gaze. ---
Tom Hartley, with his right arm in q
sling, sat on table, which had been
placed directly over the trap-door.
Bessie with her fathers trusty Win
chester stood beside him. Strange,
muttered curses came from the cellar.
tom Hartley! You here?'' cried the
postmaster, recovering his speech.
..Yes; thought was needed, 50
came," Tom, answered.
what does it mean? feared some
thing was wrong"
''Some villains tried to rob the post
Office. but have them trapped" and
Tom pointed significantly toward the
\ cellar.
In as fewswords as he could use Tom
related to Fowler how he had over
heard the plot, and how he had hast
sned 70 the cabin snd prepared thines