The Forrest City times., 1893-07-14

hand to her Then they rode away, and, after they had gone piece, Sam looked back and saw the woman still standing there, her hands loosely locked before her. watching them with wide open eyes. ''She's grit ter tn back bone," muttered that worthy, and lashed his horse into a gallop.
 All Sage Bar crowded around the party when they drew rein in town, and there were some who would have strung Craig up on the spot when Sam had told the story. Sage Bar was in that stage of progress where horse stealing was capital offense and short shrift was granted to offenders. But Sam's protest that nothing should be done until the Hines party returned was needed, and the prisoner was put in an empty cabin, tied hand and foot, several of the men agreeing to stand guard
 The afternoon waned away and even- ing came apd the Hines party did not make it's appearance. So Craig was given something to eat and then was fastened tightly once more, and the men rolled themselves up in their blan- lets in front of the cabin about eleven o'clock, leaving only Jo Stetson on guard.
 Stetson sat himself down on a stump and lit pipe, and with his rife across his knees fell to thinking about some mavericks he had branded that day. Presently he imagined he heard soft step from the prairie. He raised his head and listened. Just then the moon showed rim beyond sailing cloud, and it's light fell on a fgure-a wom- ans figure-making its way toward the cabin. Stetson rose to his feet, letting his rife-butt drop on the ground, and curiously surveyed the woman, who was close to him now. It was the east erner's wife.
 "Is he in there?" she said, her voice trembling a bit.
 "Yes," answered Stetson.
 Cant see him?" she asked. ''Only for moment" she added
 Cant do it, mar'm," said Stetson, decidedly,
 For moment she was quiet, looking longingly toward the cabin and clasp ing and unclasping her hands softly. The man hoped she would go. He had hated to say no and he didn't know how long his determination to refuse would last But they say they're going to try him tomorrow, and l mayn't get another chance" She looked at him so sadly and yet so bravelv withal that Stetson wavered and was lost
 For five minutes, then, no more!" he said, half repenting of his words the instant they were uttered.
 But he unlocked the cabin door for h CT, and locked it behind her again. Then he stood outside the door cursing himself Presently there was a rap from the inside of the cabin, and, much relieved. he undid the door. But he kept his finger on the hammer of his rifle as he stood aside to allow her to pass.
 She came out quickly. Stetson turned and bent to fasten the door. As he did so, he felt tingling-cold metal against his head, and heard in her voice, now without tremble:
 Put up your hands and do it quick Typ The order was so distinctly put and so emphatically backed up by the cold metal, which Stetson knew only too well was the dangerous end of a re- volver, that he did not hesitate. As he threw up his hands, the door was pulled open from the inside and man dashed out and melted in the darkness of the prairie. A moment more and the hoof beats of horse came back, sounding clear and sharp on the still air.
 The men who had been asleep till now, awakened by the noise, sleepiiy raised themselves on their elbows. The woman had not moved the pistol from Stetson's head. But she now dropped the weapon quickly and started to run. In an instant Stetson was after her, and, wild at being outwitted, had run her down and caught her before she had gone fifty yards. As he grasped her by the shoulders the hoof beats were dy- ing on the air and the woman looked into her captor's face with an cxultant smile.
 Stetson brought her back to the cab in and in a half-shamed way told his story. The woman was quiet and did not seem to hear what they said. De- spite their chagrin at having been worsted by a woman, the men could not but admire her pluck and skill. Then they argued as to what they should do with her, and finally decided to take her into town as soon as it was light. They locked her in the cabin and then sat mp and talked the rest of the night They felt that it would be useless to attempt to trail Craig .n the dark. and, to tell the truth, they were