St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-06-23
laugh "An aboard. Henry! We're

I'm going TO rlde out mere Win you
''An right"
And then. with . crack of whip and
. 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 breas,
pocket package Of bills.
Lou" said he. quietly, Twill you
take charge of this?'
She drew back and looked at him
with wondering eyes Then . half
sneer curled her lip.
She had been deceived in Gordon He
was coward!
Certainly" she replied, in distant
voice; you bear the risk OF placing
this in my hands?"
Risk"
He said no more. The taunt in hel
voice was ill-concealed. He understood
1t and turned away his head.
The stage drew near the rocky
coteaux which they were to cross.
Barely had they entered the pass
when three masked men stepped from
behind bowlder.
They had guns in their hands.
Halt" cried one of them, In 4
hoarse voice.
One Of his companions sprang to the
horses heads.
What do you want?" cried Lou Car.
lin. with white face.
1--WE want word with that man be
side YOU"
Then for the first time Lou noticed
that the two robbers had covered Cor,
don with their guns
Quick rs . flash she stopped down,
picked up the rife at her feet and
brought it to her shoulder, aiming a,
the form Of the man nearest her.
For Gods sake. Lou!" exclaimed
Gordon, ''be careful!'
With q quick movement he struck
the weapon from her hands
At that instan. there came the sound
Of two reports. tlending as one.
A shot was fred at Gordon just as Z
passenger fired from the coach
Gordon fell from his seat, dropping
like log by the roadside.
With q cry Of anguish Lou Carliu
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 abou,
on the prairie and clutchinG at the air
sank to the ground.
MY God.' cried Lou.
Leaping forward, she tore the mask
from the robbers face, then started
back wildly and dropped senseless be.
side him.
1t was her brother Tom.
Henry Gordon was not killed, al.
though for days he fingered at the con-
fines of the grave.
He was delirious and in his wild talk
he told, over and over again, his sus'
picions of Tom Carlin-how he had
seen him associating with desperate
men-how he knew, or feared, he was
planning to rob the stage-that he had
given the money to Lou, knowing that
she would be safe from molestation al
her brothers hands.
Lou. wan and sorrowful, sat beside
him and nursed him back to life.
Her eyes were first to meet his when
he once more looked out upon the
world, and her quivering hands brushed
his forehead as she asked if he would
not soon be well.
"Yes. LOU" he answered.; land
Tom?"
Slowly she drew back the curtain,
and pointed off over the prairie to q
new-made grave in the distance.
Tears Eel! fast from her eyes-there
was no need of words
Forgive him. Henry, forgive him.!
she said, brokenly. falling to her knee.
beside the bed.
Freely, freely. God knows!' he muir
INJURED, kissing her brow.
Then he spoke other words in 9
whisper and she returned his kiss and
laid her head beside his.-Chicago
News.