Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-15

Appleton's, an knew him agin. Where's
Lelota?"
Up stairs" said the jailer. "Waal,
wal, don't believe it. He's the dear
est man to work I've ever had in
charge, an I was jest beginnin to make
some impression on his soul.
Like did on his body" said the
sheriff. "Pm pretty sure we've got our
man this time Is'pose he'll be out
d'reckly."
Lelota slipped away to the back door
where the horse stood waiting The
tramp caught her in his arms and kissed
her once, twice, thrice, passionately.
"Quiokl' she cried Quick! The
sheritf's coming. I'll cover you.
The tramp staid irresolutely. "rd
like to settle accounts with him"
"I'll do that" the girl implored.
"Quick AS you love me-gor'
The tramp jumped into the saddle,
and his beautiful black leaped low
cedar rail like deer as they disap-
peared in the adjoining bush, only the
tutter of white handkerchief from his
rider showing for moment ere they
disappeared.
As Lelota heard the sheriff'a heavy
tread come furiously down the passage
she slipped beautiful ring on her finger
and brought the revolver into position.
"That tramp's gone, the sheriff said
angrily. "Gone, an you We helped him
to slip through my fingers. Make way.
Let me pass. I'll git him yet
The girl motioned him back. "Stay
where you are or I'll kill you"
1t was new experience for the sher-
if to be covered by his own revolver.
He stood perfectly still, white with
rage. Whats he to your" he Missed
between clnched teeth.
My husband" answered the girl
calmly. "We were married the first
thing this morning"
Sheriff" cried the jailer's voice.
"Where are you?'
Tell him to call your men off and
send them home, cried the girl
The sheriff did SO.
The old jailer halted outside the pas
sage. II don't want to disturb you an
the sheriff if you re sweetheartin, LIE.
lota," he said, but I'm / off to
bed. When you've done c. .ebberlatin
just lock up for the night, will you;
I've sent your men home, sheriff. Tell
that tramp, Lelota, he'd better make a
fresh start III the mornin. Good night,
sheriff -
Say good night to him, 4" significant
ly urged Lelota, with "a slight move
ment of the revolver.
Good night, said the sheriff sulkily.
Good night, sheriff" replied the
old man, moving down the passage
Shouldn't wonder if you caught
cold They heard his door slam, and
all was still
Now, said the girl, pointing to the
open door leading into the Jail corri
dor. I'm you 20, sheriff.
The sheriff g!ared at her, but went
silently on until they came to the
tramp's cell
The girl motioned to him to enter,
and slipped to the door. The sheriff sat
down ON the bed like one in dream.
He'll be over the border and safe to-
morrow" said the girl. "Then I'll let
you out again.
1t was all a plant" growled the
sheriff, waking from his lethargy. Il
see it now. "
Yes" said the girl. He was
wounded and couldn't get away, so he
hit upon the Jail as the safest place for
him till the hue and cry had blown
over. That was why he let you knock
him down when he pretended to be
drunk, you brute, you.
The sheriff looked at one huge leg of
mutton fist with a ray of satisfaction in
his dull eye. Il did hit him hard" he
said, and relapsed into apathy again
Lelota held her glittering ring before
his dazed eyes, then crept softly away
to pray for the handsome daredevil
flying at breakneck speed through the
dewy night. -Pearson s Weekly