Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-08

consp1cu0us almlessness in front. Lelota
smiled grimly TO herself, few down
stairs and heard the sheriff's voice in
the next room. The butt Of his revolver
eareIessly projected from a light over
coat thrown over q chair in the hall.
The girl instantly took possession of it,
and listened at the half open door.
''Thar's strong suspicious about he's
Bud Appleton, though the printed de-
scriptions say Bud amt no beard, " said
the sheriff, IAN I've got a warrant to
rearreet him as soon as he comes out.
That talk of yourn about the horse put
me up to it. That horse. jailer, is Bud
Appleton's. an knew him agiu. Where's
Lelota?"
up stairs, said the jailer. "Waal,
waal, don't believe it. Hes the dear
est man to work I've ever had in
charge. an was jest besinnin to make
some impression ON his SOUL
Like I did ON his body" said the
sheriff. I'm 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 ond kissed
her once, twice, thrice. passionately.
Quick" she cried. "Quickl The
sheriff's coming. I'll cover you"
The tramp staid irresolutely. "I'd
like to settle accounts with him.
"I'll 60 that" the girl implored.
"Quickl As you love me-gor
The tramp jumped into the saddle.
and his beautiful black leaped a low
cedar rail like a deer as they disap-
peared in the adjoining bush, only the
futter of white handkerchief from his
rider showing for moment ere they
disappeared.
As Lelota heard the sheriff's 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''
It was a new experience for the sher-
if to be covered by his own revolver.
He stood perfectly still, white. with
rage. What's he to you:' he Kissed
between chnched teeth.
my husband" answered the girl
calmly. I'VE 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. Il don't want to disturb you an
the sheriff if you're sweetheartin, LIE.
lota," he said, but I'm goin off to
bed. When you've done confebberlatin
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 in the mornin. Good night,
sheriff -
"Say good night to him." significant
ly urged Lelota, with 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 tho
open door leading into the Jail corri-
dor. In you 60, sheriff.
The sheriff glared 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 q dream.
He'll be over the border and safe to-
morrow" said the girl. "Then I'll let
you out again.
1T was all plant" growled the
sheriff, waking from his lethargy. -
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 llo 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 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 fer the handsome daredevil
flying at breakneck speed through the