San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-10-31
JUST As SHB WAS.
By WILLIAM PERRY BROWN.

the girl hurriedly They've heard
about some money here--a-a-h-hr she
interrupted herself with a faint scream
as voices and footsteps suddenly sound,
ed without. They're here; they mean
to rob, and they're ready for murder
Her voice sank to a whisper that, how
ever, thrilled the three who heard. The
girl seemed nearly beside herself with
nervous excitement and dread. The two
ladies looked alarmed, yet said nothing.
The steps and voices were close at hand.
Directly a window was smashed in mys.
teriously by unseen hands. At the same
time the door was burst open, and mot
ley crowd Of seeming savages rushed in.
all armed and filed with hostile designs
Arizony shrark behind Stirling. The
lieutenant fixed his eyes at once upon a
burly looking Indian who seemed to act
as the leader. Meanwhile the invaders
evinced signs of establishment at the
sight Of Arizony. But now there came
i'll through another door a file of half
dressed soldiers, who gathered about the
lieutenant and the three women.
Don't fire until give the word" said
Stirling 10 his Iaen in low tone They
evidently thought to find the Office nm
guarded, and they are not Indians"
Meanwhile the disguised boomers con-
suited together in whispers. They had
expected little resistance, and that the
office guard If there was any, could be
overpowered without alarming the sol
diers, or at least before they could get tc
the spot. Instead, owing to Arizony's
warning, the entire little garrison were
present and ready for defense. Desperate
as they were they were hardly prepared
to assault those who showed so deter
mined front.
Whist is the meaning Of this masque-
rade?" demanded Stirling, facing them
pistol in hand, his head thrown back and
his blue eyes cleaning. Il think already
know some of you. You" pointing to
each in turn-"'you are Wichita Dick,
you Chickasaw John, you Burl Yates
by -, men-he's rightr' exclaimed
the last named, recklessly throwing his
fantastic headdress upon the floor. II
never moren half believed in this rig any
way 'speshly if there was any lights
about. They've had warnin too. Else
what is she doin here?"
Hepointed to the girl, who shrank back
under his fierce gaze.
Il thought you was in bed at home,
Arizony, said Chickasaw John reproach-
fully.
How could l lay there" she whim-
pered, land let you all perhaps do muir
der?"
This is little rough, men," said Burl
mildly. yet with lurking devil in his
eye, "for a mans own sweetheart to &C
back on him and his friends in any such
way. It's little rough and"-his tone
suddenly hardened-"thereain amt but ONE
way to get even"
He suddenly leveled his pistol, bat
Chickasaw John struck up the weapon.
Don't be brash, old man." he OK
claimed I've got a intruss in this Girl
as well as you. BESIDES, what are we ell
here for? We're two to one as it is, and
there is where the money lies" lie
pointed to the safe. Give up the COM
binatien, leftenant. or we'll blow the
ID thing to pieces afore your eyes, and
that" with wave of the hand and
sarcastic smile. that might scare the
ladies'"
A collision seemed to be inevitable.
The boomers gathered menacin5ly
around the knot of half armed soldiers
In one corner crouched the two ladies Of
the garrison. Arizony, with her eyes
fixed piteously upon her old lover, stood
at Strings elbow. The latter, at this
crisis, was surprised to see Miss Oberly
suddenly rise, trembling in every limb
and point to Burl Yates.
Il remember him now" she exclaimed
He is the very man who led the gang
that robbed the stage cannot be mis-
taken, though at first l was puzzled"
An oath from Yates and an agonizing
cry from Arizony We're heard. The last
straw had been added to the poor girls
burden of despair.
There came another uprOar of dogs
and a chatter of horses hOofs outside at
men in citizens clothing ran into the
office with pistols drawn. At their head
was Parson Tilney, his gray hairs flying,
his lean face sternly set and in his eyes
an unusual fire. He alone was unarmed
save for thick walking stick. but he
laid his hand boldly upon the naked
shoulder of Burl Yates.
81 arrest you" he exclaimed, "for the
murder of George Eakins in Virginny
IS years ago come next Aprile." Then
turning to the other boomers, Drop
your we'pons, every mothers son of
you'll" he shouted.
Truly, the parson was developing some