The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-17

speak Of her IN. that insulting manner.
1 give you three minutes to get out of
my sight, or it will be the worse for
you'll Cor
The man seemed quite cowed. He
sat meexly in the saddle, and, turning
his horses head in an opposite direc-
ton. rode swiftly away. A few rods
distant, he turned and glanced back.
In his eyes an evil expression was
lurking-he looked dangerous
4 am going" he said in a low tone,
but Frank caught every word that he
spoke. but intend to pay you back
for this-whoever you are-if die in
the attempt"
''Papal What do you thinlr2 Belle
is gonel I'm afraid she has been
stolen. Oh, what shall I do?"
"Gonel Belle gone? Why. Nora.
that's out of the question. She was
locked in the stable last night. No
body has access to the key but myself
and-yes-Frankl Go ask Frank about
your pony. He may have taken her
out to exercise her. She's a dainty
bit of horsehesh, and well worth the
three hundred and fifty I paid for
herr
body has seen him this morning Oh,
deari I'm afraid that some thing has
happenedr'
Crank not here2 Why. where can
he be, wonder? Nora, 1 didn't like
to say anything about it before, but
received an anonymous letter, yester-
day evening, warning me against this
Frank Barrett. You know he is
stranger to US. after all! The letter
adds: Watch your atable well. for
Barrett IS a horse-thiefr You know.
Nora. how a horse thief is considered
here in Texas"
The same as a murderer she
answered, dejectedly, "and they string
up horse-thief just as though he had
taken a human life. But, papa, it's
simply absurd to think even Of such a
thing in connection with Frank Bar
rett The man or woman who would
write an anonymous letter, vnlfying
the character of another, would stab
u man in the darlcl''
.'Bravol my dear! And. Nora. /
rather think you are right concern
ing Frank. 1 like the boy. / viii 60
and make Inquiries in regard to him!"
That very dav, Mr.. Jasper Darke
rode over to the Neville farm house,
with the intelligence that the horse,
Belle, was really his own property,
but had been stolen from him and
sold to Mr.. Neville.
They say" went on Darke,
eagerly, chat the thief is caught,
howevcr-the man who stole Belle
from you, Neville. Shall we ride
over to Laredo? The thief is there
or near there, I am told"
''With pleasure" returned Tom
Neville rrrirolv tsAVhatss fha matter
Nora, child2''
81 am going with you, papa-that's
ALL Don't say a word against it.
can ride Se1im, and-I-want to go!''
Out Of place though it seemed. Tom
Neville could never refuse his child
anything that she asked So. little
later the three set out for the eight
mile ride TO Laredo.
/ Near the Neville farm. they over
took an elderly man, riding leisurely
along. At sight of Neville he refined
in his steed with courtly bow.
Il am Judge Strong, from Dallas, -
for a young man named Barrett
Frank Barrett
$50 are wer' interposed Neville,
stcrnly. Then he related the story.
Judge Strong's face grew grave. Then
he smiled.
Il think you are mistaken" he re-
turned, quietly. However, we will
ride on to Laredo and learn all the
particular rs.
But the end came sooner than they
! expected In the woods, halfway to
Laredo, they came upon a dreadful
scene. group of rough bearded men
gathered about tall pine tree; from
one of the limbs a rope dang ed, and
under the tree. pale and calm. the e nd
of the rope fastened about his neck,
stood Frank Barrett
Belle, the pony, was tethered lit
tie distance away. At sight of the
approaching party, one of the men
shouted, hoarsely;
We've got him, Nevillel Here's
the thief who stole your horsel We
/ are going to swing him up"
You're going to do nothing Of the
SORT" cried Nora Neville. springing
from her horse. And before the as
tonished men could recover from
their amazement. she had drawn a
knife. and severed the rope about
Frank Barrett's neck. and thrust a
loaded revolver into his hand.
Defend yourself, Frank" she cried
bravely- 81 know you are innocent
oh. nay lover
For all at once. the truth had come
home TO her heart, and she knew that
she loved him. dearly, devotedly. But
Judge Strong came to the rescue.
"Gentlemen,' he cried in a COM
handing voice, You are not aware
that this young man Frank Barrett
( lis the son and heir OF a Dallas
millionaire He came out here to