Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-05-05
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short, astounded.
"Where's Tom, Lou?" he asked.
",Timtown," she answered, briefly.
Gordon's face became grave.
"When did he go?"
ION this mornings train"
"The three o'clock train?"
eyes"
mo passengers took that train from
this station. / was at the depot when
it pulled out"
Lou Carlin reeled in her seat and al
most fell to the ground.
Gordon leaped up beside her.
"You are illl' he exclaimed.
mo" she answered, resolutely, re-
covering herself with an effort.
Surely you are not going'to drive
the stage?"
Surely ami" she replied, with COM
pressed lips. THAT looks like business,
doesn't it?"
She pointed to Winchester rifle
lying at her feet.
But you are not well enough" re-
turned Gordon, with shade of anxiety
in his face.
"Nonsenser' she cried, with forced
laugh. "All aboard, Henryl We're
late now"
Pm going to ride out here with you"
"All right"
And then, with a 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 q half
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?"
Risk"
He said no more. The taunt in her
voice was ill-concealed He understood
it 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 a
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 as a flash she stopped down,
picked up the rifle at her feet and
brought it to her shoulder, aiming at
the form of the man nearest her.
For Gods sake, Lou" exclaimed
Gordon, "be carefulp'
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 q
passenger fred from the coach.
Gordon fell from his seat, dropping
like log by the roadside.
With 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.
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 kn ew, or feared, he was
planning to rob the stage-that he had
given the money to Lou, knowing shat
she would be safe from molestation at
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 a
new-made grave in the distance.
Tears fell fast from her eyes-.there
was no need of words.
Forgive him. Henry, forgive him!'
she said, brolSenly, falling to her knees
beside the bed.
"Freely, freely, God lSnows!" he muir.
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