The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-05-20

measures for getting rid of these
pests, but saw no way but to wait
for some breach of the law and then
secure the Intervention of the author
itics.
"Our pay day came every two
weeks and brought the money from
the nearest bank, in town some dis
tance away, having two good men go
with me as guard. On one occasion,
Nettie, the foreman's daughter, met
lis ten miles from the settlement, guild
ing us in circuitous route, for she
had learned through wild young girl
at the drinking den that there was
plot to waylay and rob us. Nettie
had promptly pushed her way through
the dangers of the mountain paths to
warn us, fearing that delay in secur-
ing some other messenger might be
fatal to us and at the same time en-
danger her informant. On the way in
I learned more of the girl and her life
than l had ever known and she aroused
that interest which is so likely to
eventuate in love.
"It was a month later before we
were freed from a snow blockade and
the next time went to the bank it
was for double the usual amount. [
took more men and we returned with
out accident. Even this did not give
me the pleasure afforded by the joy
Gus welcome of the girl who had so
evidently been in dread while l was
gone.
"It was just coming dark when 1
tossed the canvas bag containing the
money to the foreman, for he was the
custodian and would pay off at the
noon hour the next day. I never felt
afraid when he was on guard. That
night the storm was upon us again,
and with view to making some ar
rangements for the better protection
of the mines, I sent for him. I never
thought of the money till he appeared
at my door shortly before IL o'clock
covered with dripping snow. Then he
assured me that the treasure was safe
with Nettie as no one would think of
injuring her.
"We had been talking nearly an
hour when there was the sound of a
muffled cry and body falling against
the door. Rosser reached it with o
spring and threw it open to find
woman stretched across the STEP
Quickly he lifted her in his strong
arms and laid her gently on the rough
couch I had pulled before the blazing
logs. It was Nettie. unconscious and
apparently more dead than alive. Her
long, waving hair was loose, dishev-
eled by the wind and wet with snow
that melted to gittering drops in the
warm glow of the room. Her up
turned face with its perfectly chiseled
features had the unattainable beauty
of the artists dream. Through all
that terrible storm she mad made her
way for half mile without wrap or
even the slippers in which she sat
while awaiting her fathers return, for
they had been lost in the first few
steps. As I grasped the pretty hands
to chafe them they tightly clutched the
canvas bag to her bosom and only
when the half-orazed Rosser forced
some brandy down her throat did she
relinquish her hold.
"Trying to rise she said rapidly:
Hurry. father, hurry. 1t was Black
Joe. He's looked in the strong closet.
brought the money. You said you
knew / would protect it. There it is.
How Black Joe did curse and swear to
kill us both. But I captured him,
and her unnatural laugh told how in
tense had been the strain upon her
nerves.
1--WE found the villain vainly trying
to batter his way out, and in due time
a long sentence put him out OF the
way. He had stolen in upon Nettie
shortly after her father left No
threats could induce her to betray the