Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-10-13

as a moan from his patient attracted
his attention.
"Where have you taken her? Give
her back to me or will tear your heart
out" Thus exclaiming, the wounded
man sprang to his feet and clutched
Tom fiercely by the throat.
Hold on, hold on, stranger. You
never was put up right to pull me to
pieces, even in your best days, so how
can you expect to stand much show
when you haven't more'n an ounce of
strength. Take it easy, take it easy,
and tell me what it is about this Mar
garet. Pm your friend, and will do all
can to help you and her too"
The stranger sank back upon the bed,
but sat with glazing eyes riveted upon
Tom. At length as reason began to re-
turn he murmured:
ooh, yes, remember all, now. The
stage was stopped, short fight ensued,
l was struck down, and l saw my wife
borne away in the grasp of one of the
burly rufians."
"What do you say?" exclaimed Tom.
"'Stage held upr les funny l didn't
hear anything about it. But then, how
could I? l haven't been down to the
hotel for q week. But how did you
happen to tumble in here? The stage
don't come within mile of this place;
it drives down through the canyon"
81 tried to follow in pursuit of the
robbers who were bearing away my
bride. Although it was dark noticed
that they assembled the mountain. l
crawled on after them, climbing higher
and higher until fell exhausted across
your threshold"
ITS mighty funny how I happened
to miss ye."
MISS me?" feebly asked the wounded
man. "What do you mean?"
Mean? ] mean that l climbed the
trail after dark last night and I didn't
see anybody, but picked up mighty
handsome picture. Maybe it belongs
to some of tho folks in the stage. Did
you ever see it before?" and Tom Hen
derson drew the locket, which had in
terested him so much, from his pocket
and handed 1t toward his companion.
"Why, it belongs to me, and that is
the likeness of my wife"
Say, young man." returned Tom,
bending look upon the stranger that
was almost fierce in its intensity. SIS
that the picture of your wifeP"
Eyes, yes, it is"
"Then tell me, what was her name
before the parson made you two one?'
Margaret Henderson"
"And how old might she be, stranger?"
The voice of the miner trembled as he
asked the question.
Scarcely nineteen"
"And was the young girls father and
mother alive when you married?"
mo, she was an orphan. Her parents
were drowned during flood along the
banks of the Missouri when my
Margaret was but child. She was
rescued. Was found, so it was stated,
floating on piece of timber"
: "My God! Is it possible!' exclaimed
Henderson excitedly. stranger, you
stay here. Don't leave the cabin until
return"
"Where are you going?"
"To wrest from the clutches of thai
villain, Darnley, your Margaret, my
Margaret, your wife, my daughter, .
and the Infatuated miner rushed forth
from the cabin leaving his guest spell
bound with establishment.
About the hotel of Eagles Pass wer,
lettering the usual number of miners
! l>1 nd al, loo farc
They were absorbed in the interest
ing account of the robbery of the stage
coach the night before, which was be
ing retailed to them by heavy-whis
kered, beetling- browed individual, who
claimed to be one of the victimized pas
sengers.
whoever did the job, did it in gooc
shape" remarked the narrator. "Ther,
4 were only three of them, but they
: called hands up before any man of u
could pull gun. So you see, although
hate to cave and shell out my dus
: without making fight, l had t,
weaken, or else go under"
But who was it held we up?" aske'
: one Of the bystanders.
: That's what I'd like to know" wa
the reply.
= Then if you'd like to know VIII
S stopped that stage last night, I'll tel
:, you" 1t was Tom Henderson tina
= spoke.
!? Eyes boys, I'll tell you who it was
1t was Jim Darnley, and there h
d stands! Up hands, jim! I've got yor
coveredl'
6 If the desperate had made an attemp
/ to draw weapon he would hav
been dead man in moment for tn
n miner had thrust the muzzle of q re
S volver to within foot of his temple.
!. "Yes, Jim Darnley You and you
l. gang held up that coach, and what
h more, not being satisfied with just rot
It bling the passengers you carried off
p young woman to your den in the mour
G tains. Now, mates, that woman is m
It daughter, and I'm here to compel thi
d wretch to release her, and then sc
that he is made to pay the penalty c
a his many crimes"
d "Darnley!" continued Henderson
= again addressing the robber, you
= hours of life are few and the moment
J. are speeding rapidly by. Unbuckl
q that belt of weapons about your waist
IS and let them drop. Then right abou
., face and lead us to where you hav
confined your captive"
With an oath the bandit obeyed, fo
J. :, he saw no particle of sympathy in tn
u stern faces of the men by whom he wa
y surrounded.