The Russellville Democrat., 1893-07-27

-s- et'@ < @teA " " ~tt 1~--ff .t ff rtste time 1t isi suppose Wing is sleep ing
 "Mr Wing ought to be sleeping, but he isn't. The sentfy Patter son l think they call him-sum- moned him up to the lookout there in the rocks, oh, about an hour ago, and when the sergeant came back he mounted his horse and rode away down the canon. He said there was something requiring bis atten- ton. But you are to drink this chocolate and lie still. Y
 Drummond slowly strove to rise. He was too anxious, too nervous, to remain where he was.
 And none of them have returned yeti' he asked. s'I cannot under stand that. No, please do not strive to detain me hera. I'm per fectly able to be up and about, and if Wing is gone it's my business to look after things"
 Over among the rocks across the narrow canon the first object to meet his gaze as he arose was Moreno, re- clining there bound and helpless, i while near at hand soldier had thrown himself on his saddle blanket and was sound asleep. The plash of tue waters in the brook, dancing and tumblng down the chasm made sweet, drowsing music for his ears, lulling, soothing sound that ex- plained, perhaps, the deep slumber { of his trooper friend.
 ] q heard Mr. Wing tell that man i to lie down and sleep" said Miss :! Harvey, as the young officers eyes seemed to darken with menace at ! the sight of sentry sleeping on guard. Moreno is securely tied, and both Patterson up there and I here are now his keepers. The SC. nora and her daughter are in the other cave, forbidden to go near him. 7
 Glancing up at the stunted cedar where Patterson stood faithful to his trust, Drlmmond saw that he was peering steadily southward through i the black field glasses.
 What do you see, Pattersonf' lie hailed. "Where is Wingf Any l of the men coming backf" living has gone down the valley, sir. Some of our fellows, two or three only, were coming back, but they didn't come fast enough to suit him. The ambulance will be here
 in a minute or two--it's s just below the canon now. ]"
 Indeed, almost at the moment the click of the iron-shod hoofs was heard, and the deiacted mule team came into view around a jutting
 point, the dingy, yellow ambulance iolting after them, one soldier in the drivers seat haudling the reins,
 the other riding behind and leading
 his oomrade 8 horse.
 "Come up here 10 the mouth of the cave, Merrill" !" called the lieu tenant. "You can unhitch ard un-
 harness just beyond, but l want the
 safe unloaded and put in here. z
 1.-The safes gone, sir. :"
 l "Whati"
 "The safes gone, sir. Wenever got it. That's what took Sergeant
 Wing off down the valley, I reckon. l supposed you knew it, sir, and him, too, but he didn't. Those Morales fellows got away with 1t on burro- back while we were chasing the white wagon
 1 For moment Drummond stood astounded.
 "Man alive !" he at last exclaimed, "why was not told of this7 Get me horse at once, Walsh,' he ordered. "I'll take Paterson s. You two remain here and see that that old scoundrel don't get loose Moreno there-and that no harm be- fall the ladies. I'll ride down after Wing"
 'Oh, Mr. Drummond, you must not think of going,' exclaimed Miss Harvey. "You're far too seriously hurt, far too weak, to attempt such thing. Please lie down again. Surely Mir. Wing will do all that any man could do to recover the safe. All the others arc in pursuit. They must have overtaken them by this time. Come; I am doctor now that he is away. Obey me and lie still"
 Drummond's one available hand found itself clasped by warm, slen- der fingers. He would have drawn it away and striven to carry out his design, but a glance at his two troopers told him that they plainly and earnestly advocated Miss Har- vey's view of the case. He was in no condition to make the attempt. And at the moment, too, even as he strove to release bis hand, another voice was heard, almost imploring.
 "Oh, don't let him go, Fan; don't let him try to ride !"
 And turning suddenly at the sound, Mr. Drummond found Ruth Harvey standing close behind her sister, her eyes suffused, her cheeks blushing red. It was the first time he had seen her to speak to since they landed at the old wharf in San Francisco a year gone by, and for a moment he forgot the safe, the funds, the crippled arm, the band aged head and every other item that should have occupied his thoughts.
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