The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-05-11

hands and looking wistfully into her face.
~ shall have something to tell you, Lou,
when l come back from Skyeston.'
"Tell me nOw.''
Smiling, he shook his head. Bringing
her hand quickly to his lips he kissed it,
leaving her at once with an abrupt ''good
night"
''All aboard for Sykestonr'
It was a woman's voice that spoke the
words as four horses came dashing up to
Dawson house dragging the Mouse river
stage.
Four passengers came out of the hotel,
among them Henry Gordon. Seeing Lou
Carlin on the box he stopped short, as
founded.
where's Tom, Lou ?'' he asked.
'JimtOwn,' she answered, briefly.
Gordon's face became grave.
''When did he gO?"
Son this mornings train.''
''The o'clock train ?''
eyes,
''No passengers took that train from this
station. I was at the depot when it pulled
out"
Lou CarIin reeled n her seat and al most
Tell TO the ground.
Gordon Ieaped up beside her.
''You are illp' he exclaimed.
E'No,' she answered, resolutely, recover
ing herself with an effort.
''Surely you are not going to drive the
stage?''
"Surely 1 amp she replied, with com
pressed lips. ''That looks like business,
doesn't it ?''
She pointed to a Winchester rifle lying
at her feet.
"But you are not well enough returned
Gordon, with shade of anxiety in his
face.
''Nonsenser' she cried, with forced
laugh. All aboard, Henry! We're late
now"
"Pm going to ride out here with you.''
''All right
And then, with crack of whip and a
creak of wheels, the stage departed.
Gordon was reserved and thoughtful.
So was Lou. She was thinking of her
brother and wondering where he had gone
if not to Jimtown.
At Shoemaker's ranch halt was made
for dinner.
AS they once more started on their
journey Gordon drew from his breast
pocket package of bills.
Lou" said he quietly; will you take
charge of this %
She drew back and looked at him with
wondering eyes. Then hal1-sneer curled
her lip.
She had been deceived in Gordon. He
was a coward!
Certainly" she replied, in distant
voice; ''you bear the risk of placing this in
my hands?''
''Eiskr'
He said no more. The taunt in her voice
was ill-conclealed. lie understood it and
turned away his head.
The stage drew near the rocky eoteaux
which they were to cross.
Barely had they entered the pass when
bowlder.
They had guns in their hands.
''IIalt!' cried one of them, in horse
voice.
Oxe of his companions sprang to the
horses heads.
''What do you want ?" cried Lou Carlin,
with white face.
''W e want word with that man beside
YOU"
Then for the first time Lou noticed that
the two robbers had covered Gordon with
their guns.
Quick as a flash she stopped down, pick
ed up the rifle at her feet and brought it to
her shoulder aiming at the form of the man
nearest her.
"For Gods sake, Loup' exclaimed
Gordon. "be carefulr'
With quick movement he struck the
weapon from her hands.
At that instant there came the sound of
two reports, blending as one.
A shot was fred at Gordon just as pas
senger fired from the coach.
Gordon fell from his seat, dropping like
log by the roadside.
With a cry of anguish Lou Carlin leaped
down beside him. As she stopped over she
heard her own name called.
The voice was familiar to her ears.
One of the robbers staggering about on
the prairie and clutching at the air sank to
the ground.
'sAIy Godp' cried Lou.
Leaping forward, she tore the mask
from the robbers face. then started back
wildly and dropped senseless beside him.
It was her brother Tom.
Henry Gordon was not killed, although
for days he fingered at the confines of the
grave
He was delirious and in his wild talk he
told, over and over again, his suspicious Of
Tom Carlin-how he had seen him associa-
ting with desperate men-how he knew, or
feared, he was planning to rob the stage
that he had given the money to Lon, knew
ing that she would be safe from, molesta-
ton at her brothers hands.
Lou. wan and sorrowfuI, sat beside him
and nursed him back to Iife
Her eyes were first to meet his when he