Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-08
The Tramp Of the Four Corners
Continued from Second Pare.

.~--e~@
cheering recolleoaions of me in every
article Of furniture.
The girl laughed somewhat conscious
". Then her consciousness gave way to
terror. For heavens sake. put it ON
again" she implored.
II might for yours" he rejoined
carelessly.
She blushed at his impiety a. the
beard slipped back into its place.
'This should be called the Happy
Jail. he said lightly. 'Do they never
search the prisoners here or make them
wear pants with different colored stripes
down each leg until they resemble hu-
man zebras:''
"Oh, yesr' she said brightly, now
that her fear was over. "Oh, yesi
searched You when you tainted, but
begged father to let you of the stripes.
I'm afraid Of Wednesday, though You
know you've promised me to lead an
altogether different life and send back
the money"
The tramp smiled. II also promised
the old man not to break out, though I
could have done SO thousand times
There's little saw in the lining Of my
coat which would cut the bars in half
an hour. "A whistle to the black horse
and he'd smash through any stable to
come to me. Why, he'd savage the
sheriff to death in five minutes if made
sign. I've kept my promise, though
now my shoulders healed up it's pretty
risky stopping here an hour longer. If
they find out who am, it's the peni-
Tertiary for life. However. can stand
it till Thursday night
''And them"
"Then! His arm stole toward her
caressingly. For moment their lips
met. Don't you understand" he asked
passionately. II can't say anything till
I've got clear. I'm ON my parole.
The girl understood. Her eyes famed
brightly back at his. She whispered
something softly to him, and he nodded
q pleased assent. beware Of the sher-
ill.," she added. HE means to pick q
quarrel with you directly you're out. On
Thursday night I will have the horse
ready saddled for you at the back. He's
gentle enough with me. Ride up to the
springs, change your things. leave the
horse there, and catch the Ottawa boat
Then get across the border as soon as
you can. Take this (she thrust pile of
dollar notes into his hands) and this.
It's loaded in every chamber If the
sheriff tries to stop you. kill him."
She touched his temple gently, where
the resultant scar from the sheriff's blow
still remained, and hastily went back
into the hall as that public functionary
zealously came toward her. Delilahlike.
she smiled upon him until he was in a
seventh heaven Of delight. When the in
spector came ON Wednesday morning,
accompanied by Little John Baines, Le-
lota detained the latter with q pout.
What do you want to go into the jail
for:" she asked.
Il amt noways sure about this yer
tramp" answered the sheriff obviously.
"P'raps the inspector may know some
thing Of him. I've often wondered
whether he was one of Bud Appleton q
gang"
Lelota laughed carelessly. "Oh, if
you prefer his society to mine, John
Baines. CO. You won't get much good
outof him. though"
Jest about as much good as he'll get
out Of me-" said the sheriff grimly.
Hes laid up with the cQlicky pains
this morning." merrily continued L.
lota. dad was with him half the
night. Now he's asleep"
"Stummiks Is rum thing, " said the
sheriff thoughtfully, with an involun-
tary care for that somewhat inelegant
portion of his own huge frame. Its
most time I got some one about me who
kin cook
Men take good deal more care of
them than their hearts," said Lelota
saucily. -..-.
"You bet they do when you're any
ways roupd," returned the sheriff,
whose tongue was ordinarily as heavy
as his fist.
At this moment the inspector came
into the room. IA very admirable con-
dition of things. Mr.. Grey" he said
cheerfully. II wouldn t keep your cows
in the jailyard, though, if I were you.
The prisoners might milk Them"
"Our prisoners don't care much for
milk" urged Lelota brightly. >"They
prefer something less innocent.
The inspector bowed. II am afraid,
Miss Grey, if you were in charge the
Jail would soon be filed to overflow
ing"
my, inspector. but that's real pref
ty." said the gratified sheriff, taking it
as personal compliment.
'Ah, Mr.. Sheriff." said the inspect
or. now understand why you didn t
spend much Of your time searching for
Bud Appleton.
The sheriff turned purple. "I'll have
him yet, he said. "How's your tramp
gittin ON, Grey?"
1.-THE pains have sorter abated," an
swered Grey benevolently "He nearly
wrastled through the roof at first, all ON
account Of the cucumber be had for din.
ner. Cucumbers amt in the list of diet.
Thought he'd fancy one, but it didn' t
fancy him."
"Waal, I must be goin." said the
sheriff. Grey. will you lend me that
black horse Of yOurs nm Friday morpi0 .