The Globe-republican., 1895-06-28
be. when all of a sudden somebody

HOW 90 you OOs Miss 0clle. I16uI
at her elbow.
Belle looked up. and there stood Red
Bill laughing at her. and she was alone.
and no one in sight. She was awfully
frightened. but did not make any fuss.
She just said, smiling as pleasant as
a May morning:
".How do you do. Bill? When did
you get back?'
"'Well, I haven't been here long,
said Bill. And I amt going to stay
much longer. Can you guess what
have come for, Miss BELIEF
Belle turned faint, but quickly said:
I suppose you have come to see
father
Then Bill laughed heartily, and said:
No. did not. I knew they had all
gone before came. want those mug
gets out Of the chest, and then I want
you, Belle Sloan. Who's here to hinder
me from taking both. 1 wonder?'
Then Belle said, as calmly as she
could:
I suppose there's nobody to hinder
you, Bill; but hope you're going to act
the gentleman
Il hope So said Bill; but I'll have
to request you to get the key Of the
blue chest for me. I don't know where
they keep it,
What if I don't do it, said Belle.
looking up at him.
HE smiled and laid his hand on the
revolver in his belt, and said:
81 think you had better. Belle.
came for it, and I am not likely to go
without it,
she being alone. but to pretend she was
going to surrender till she could hit on
plan. She wasn't going to give up the
mems hard-earned gold. not she. But
she had to appear as if she were afraid.
so she said:
Bill. I wouldn't give you that key.
If 1 could help it. I want you to tell
the men I didn't do it willingly
bill laughed. and said:
When I see them. I will. Hurry
up, Belle. 1t would be unpleasant for
you If they came just now.
by that time Belle had hit on her
plan. if she could only make it work.
There's a cupboard in that room.
with a high shelf to it, and on the shelf
box, where I keep my papers. She
knew the key wasn't there, and she
knew that she was dealing with the
worst ruffian on the plains, and If she
tried to do anything and failed, her
life wasn't worth a red cent. If she
didn't try, she knew he'd keep his word
about carrying her off. So. to save her
self, and the boys gold. she made up
her mind to risk it,
"'Bill,' she said. I'll get the key, but
you must lay down that revolver. I
can't trust you.
"'You want to trick me- said Bill.
"'How could To- asked Belle. as in
nocent as a lamb. You know I'm in
your power. and you might be gentle
man enough to lay down that revolver
while I'm busy getting that key
We'll, there. them said Bill putting
his revolver on the table close to the
cupboard door. not thinking Of any
danger from the girl
''She stepped and unlocked the door
and reached up to the shelf.
Father keeps the key in blue tin
box on that shelf, she said; but don't
believe l can reach the Shelf
Perhaps I can Bill said, grinning
Che was mighty tall fellow, so he
stepped up, just as Belle wanted him to.
closet, she closed the door to, locked it,
shot the bolt into the socket. and.
stranger, she had him.
HE began to curse and swear and
fling himself against the door, but it
was stout, and he hadn't much room
to work. so it held tight.
"And Belle picked up his revolver
and shot straight through the keyhole. |
not missing him an inch.
"Ill shoot every time you stir! she |
said. You know me. Bill Wilder, and |
you have got sense enough to keep still |
when you are beaten. If you break that |
door I'll shoot you down! The men will |
settle you when they come
and. stranger. that plucky little girl |
stood guard over that wild rascal till |
we did come.
Then there was a rare hubbub.
1.-The girl and the gold all safe, and
Red Bill prisoner in the closet.
I'VE gave him a coat of tar and feath-
ars, and ordered him out of camp.
Some of the men wanted to hang
him, but Belle wouldn't let them.
"They all put some money together |
revolvers you ever saw.
10 show their gratitude.
But Red Bill has not been here since.
and don't think he is likely to come
again.
Stranger, here comes the men. and
there goes the supper bell