The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1894-02-09

| out hlap0clietS hefore being hidden, when
the chief Of the robber band politely
stopped him.
''No, no, 'hs said, with ssmile, "0nly
4 your clothes, sir. You and your men
will be we'll cured -somewhere---f
a week or two, and l am going to be Che
new vicar Of Leyburn. | have fair
smattering OF theology, acquired during
more serious hours in England. hope,
l therefore, shall not disgrace you,"
\ Tho bushrauger having attired himself
in the parsons clothes, the new vicar Of
Leyburn produced false beard thatwas
an admirable facsimile Of Mr., Jones'
beard and adjusted it. The meta.
morphosis was as convincing as IL was
complete.
Ono OF the younger rogues was then
endGed with TOMS (the man's) clothes.
| After which, with due salutations, the
car drove on, the parson and the real
Tom being the next moment carried off,
good hunioredly enough, into the forest,
whence theysoon reached the celebrated
Captain Murphy's lair.
On tho second day after the new wears
arrival tongues began to sound his
| praises The next day it was known for
miles out that the parson was down
right capital fellow.
Something was TO happen on the even
ing Of this third day. In his various pa
rochial visitations the new vicar had elo-
quently urged the more influential Of his
parishioners to attend very special
meeting at the parsonage between and
8 o'clock, One and oil the 10 men camc
to the meeting.
The time had purposely been left q lit
tie vague. First came a wealthy sheep
owner.
Good evening, Mr.. Anderson" said
the new vicar to this gentleman. "Step
III, if You please
/ The door Immediately closed upon Mr..
Anderson, and he was covered with re-
volver on either side OF him. In fact,
there were four men and four revolvers
opposed TO him.
Now, sharp's the word, Mr.. Ander-
son, said the new vicar briskly, with
his hands deep in Mr. Jones pockets,
'checkbook, self Or bearer, Ell l,0O0.'
who are ye, them Mr.. Anderson
WAS beginning to exclaim, with some
impatience, when the little guns drew
nearer to him, and one OF thoin clicked.
"Gill Murphy, at your service, Mr..
Anderson was tho reply. There's two
minutes Tor you, Thirty seconds Of ips
gone.'
Thea, with o resounding sigh, the big
sheepowner sat down and wrote tie
check.
One Of Captain Mprphy'a enls TT this
moment whlstltd. With scant ceremony
Mr.. Anderson was hustled out Of the
room intoa certain yarihouss that was
both strong and remote. Here lie was
locked in.
In all 10 checks were raaped in at this
compulsory ohertory in tie Yicarage, and
in all there were 10 leading palishioncra
in the vic8rage warehouse, Wen I'M
INJURED and keptin comparative quietude
by IA couple Of gentlemen with revolvers,
who covered them from two side win.
dows without glass, but with IN iron
grill to each.
The 10 leading parishioners were rather
wild, especitSy Mr.. smithson, but it was
evident they werc in masterful hands,
and for their lives sake they did not 20
beyond verbal abuse and anger.
THAT" said Captain Murphy, as he
looked through the sheaf Of checks, will
be 81, COO apiece, my boys, and c. 600 for
me. And now, Mike, get out the cart
and drive like lightning, / must have a
clear six hours start Of Leyburn. That'll
/ just bring me to Brisbane in time to cash
this paper and be of again"
The cart was being prepared with the
utmost celerity, when Captain Murphy
stepped out Of the house Cor moment.
/ To come face to face with-Edith Gas.
ton.
At the eame moment the sham vicar'g
beard got detached from his face and
fell to the ground.
The surprise on the girls face was
scarcely so keen as one would have ex-
| pected it to be.
Truth to tell she had heard the new
wears voice when he had paid her father
o visit the previous day, and though she
had not then put in an appearance she
| half suspected that something odd was
in the wind.
| Still the denouement brought about
| by the slipping Of Captain &urphy's dis
guise did startle her bit. Her presence
was even more Of q shock to Captain
| Murphy, who had until now failed to re.
member that she was CASTOR as well as
Edith.
When he bowed, with look Of shame
in his eyes, she did not 90 much as move
her head to him.
"Where is my father" she asked.
"He will be with you by and by, Miss
Gaston."
"How do know that? Mr.. Murphy,
how could you descend to such wicked,
ness as this?
II think ] understand your game. You
insult the Deity as easily as you pick the
pockets Of your fellow creatures. Mr.
Murphy, l would rather be the meanest
wretch in Melbourne than be you, witt
your crimes on my shoulders. Let me
tell you straight what think Of you"
IfNn don,t dn fhot u nlaa.iad Aha h,,eb