The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-09-02

when Jess saw pOrtly, handsome fell
low pacing up and down in front of the
hotel she knew that it was he.
paralysis" Jack was saying, at the
same time trying to pierce through the
heavy veil that hid Jess tear-stained
face. Il trust that it isn't anything
serious" he continued. MAY l go to
see your father"
''Certainly," Jess answered, in
trembling voice; Il know that he will
be glad to receive you"
81 will be out there Sunday. Good
morning"
The balance of the week Jack was not
to be seen. He knew that his presence
embarrassed Jess, so he kept aloof
First, Jack was inclined to regard Jess
as 'new woman" but he promptly
changed his opinion and Saturday
morning the porter handed her a note,
which read as follows:
Miss Mitchell: I have long been cher
ishing an ideal l have accumulated wealth,
hoping that some day this ideal would be a
reality. now lay my wealth, my heart and
lifelong devotion at your feet.
jazz W llLlAMS.
That evening Jess was later than
usual getting home Sam, who watched
Con the sly) for her every evening, was
frantic. He had heard of Jim Bos-
wells return. Jim was the leader of a
gang of thieves and a sworn enemy of
Sans. This enmity was the continual
ton of a feud that commenced be-
tween both families long before Jim
was born. Sam tried to make friends
with jim. but Jim said he'd never rest
until the last Bruce was off top of ere
alton"
Sam feared that the gang would
hold up" Jess, so he walked down to
meet her. He had not gone very far be-
fore he spied four masked men. Hewas
under the impression that he was IN
observed. so he hid behind a clump Of
trees TO wait for Jess. Every second
seemed an hour to him. At last he
heard the sound of a vehicle, but it
came so slowly that he felt positive
that il was not hers. Or, great heaven.
Could it be that old Cob was coming
home without driver?
Sam jumped from ambush and ran
wildly down the road. Jim had recog-
nized Sam from the first, but waited
to see what he was up to before letting
him know that he was around. When
the gang saw Sam running they started
in hot pursuit, thinking that he was try
ing to get away from them.
In the meantime Jess had been think
ing deeply over the contents of the
note she had received that morning
She had come to a decision She
would marry Jack Williams for her par
ents' sake. Seeing the lateness of the
hour, she gave Cob the whip,
Halt" shouted one of the gang.
rushing into the street and grabbing
the bride of her horse.
What do you want?" Jess asked.
'Money or your life!" came from
the masked desperate in a murderous
hiss.
You will get neither" Jess
answered. The little money have my
disabled parents need. 1 am Jess
MITCHELL"
'i ''i IL < ZIG tllt II lOpN Ills
hands from the bride and passed aside
without another word Old Cob seemed
to know that his friend was in danger,
for he started up the road at such
break-neck rate Jess could hardly hold
him. They had not proceeded very far
when she heard the repor: of pistol
close by, cheE d groan and her name
called. She stopped, alighted and went
in the direction of the shot She found
poor Sam wounded almost to death and
his enemy bending over him, watching
with glee for the last gasp.
Sam Bruce!" screamed Jess. "and
you-Jim BoswelI-his murderer"
"My God! Miss Jess, what is Sam
Bruce to you?"
''Everything, Jim-everything."
Jess got down upon her knees and
tried to stop the flow of blood with her
handkerchief. Jim knelt beside her;
he put his hand over Sans heart. looked
closely at the wound and said: He will
not die, Miss Jess" He then whistled
for his partners; he told them to divest
themselves of their masks and to see
that Sam was taken home He himself
went for the nearest doctor.