Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-05-11

on tiptoe, and stood at the head Of the
cellar stairway, with Mrs. VinGon at
her side, both trembling, partly from
cold. and partly from undef1ned appre-
tensions.
Suddenly there was a dull, scuffiing
noise, the sound of hurried movements
and then the sharp crack Of a pistol,
and then a childs cry.
You'll blow on US agin!' snarled
deep voice. ITS all up now-but you
shan't go scot free, you. Jackey!'
More smothered scuff1ing noise, the
sound of hurried movements, and then
sudden upblazing Of light; but
through it all Miss Fortescue's strained
ears could hear the low moaning of
someone in mortal pain.
II can't endure this, Maria" she
whispered. 81 must go down"
And be killed in the melee" cried
Mrs. Vinton, holding tight to her arm.
mo, indeed; you shall not stir a step"
And at this instant the light flashed
into brilliancy, and from her elevated
position Miss Fortescue could see the
whole startling scene. The ruff1ans,
bound hand and foot, with sullen faces,
and bloodshot, rolling eyes-the trium-
phant myrmidons of the law exulting
in the capture they had made, and one
little figure dark1y covering in corner
little Jacqueline.
Needless of the attempted explana-
tlon of the officers, Miss Fortescue
broke from Mrs. Vinton's OBTAINING
| hand, and ran to the child.
my dear, you are bleeding-you are
| hurt?"
"Yes'm," Jack answered, phlegmati-
cally, I'm hurt. Slippery Jim mis-
trusted as ia blown on 'em, and he
shot me. 1 think I'm goin' to die! I
he a M
speaking, poor Jack tainted.
"LaWk! ma am!' said one of the Of
ficers as Miss Fortescue tenderly lifted
the helpless mass of rags, dirt and blood
in her arms, ''she's just as bad as any
on EN-, Mother Jones Jackey-every-
| body knows herr
| 81 know her" said Miss Fortescue,
quietly. It's to her owe my preserva-
ton from robbery-perhaps assault,
and even murder-this night. Hence
| forward, she shall be my care"
Mrs Vinton held up both hands in
amazement and wonder. Was the rich
| spinster going mad?
When little Jackey came to herself,
| she lay among soft, scented pillows,
with the odorous breath of hothouse
flowers filing the air, and kind face
bending over hers-Miss Fortescue's
| face.
| On-u-n! SdlG JdChcy, with d lung
breath; Il thought was dead and gone
| to heaven, but I amt, be I?''
| mo. my dear" said Miss Fortescue,
her tears dropping softly on the little
| fevered face mot yet. We hops you
will soon be well, and then you will be
| my little girl
/ Jacqueline stared vaguely at her pro-
| tectress, whose kind eyes seemed SO
| dim and far off to her fever-weakened
| vision.
'"That would be better than going to
| heaven" she said, with a long, futter3
| ing sigh, and then she fell asleep.
| Miss Fortescue wept as she pondered
| over the words, which too plainly be-
| tokened the life the poor little waif had
| led. And Mrs. Vinton, ever ready to
misjudge her fellow-creatures thought
| spitefully as she measured Jacqueline's s
| drops for the next dose Of medicine:
What a sEillful little actress that beg
| gar child was!'
| Miss Fortescue kept her word, and
| when Jackey recovered from the long
| and dangerous illness consequent upon
| the pistol shot, the child was her own
| hencefoEward, loved with almost as ten
| der a fondness as if some tie of actual
conSanguinity had existed between
| them.
| The piece of silver which the rich
/ lady unthinkingly bestowed, with a
smile and kind word, upon the forlorn
| street beggar had drawn interest.