The record-union., 1898-03-27

it. In less than an hour he was on his
horse, handcuned, in the center Of
posse Of armed men going north in the
direction OF Lostine, ten miles away.
/ Ruth Harris had been an interested
witness of the first robbery that day.
She watched the robber remove his
mask and mount the trunk rack OF thu
stage. Like a flash of light his plan
was revealed to her
AS soon as she dared. she arose an1
gathering up her skirts, ran faster
than she had ever done before the two
miles between her and home some
times almost falling, sometimes stop
ping an instant to take breath. She
went across the field to where heI
uncle and another man were working.
Why, Ruthie, child. what ails you"
was her uncle's surprised greeting.
! Ruth gave brief account of her ad
/ ventures.
Now, uncle" she said, you see
! what his plan is. He'll stop the En-
| terprlse stage at the crossroads Now
my plan is for you to go across TO the
Enterprise road and tell the driver, and
have him stop an hour or so. Let
John here go down to Powhatke for a
posse. I'll go to Lostine on old
Duchess and the Sheriff'-Ruths face
/ grew shade redder-"can come down
this way with a posse Both posses
can divide some distance from the
crossroads, and then they can close up
and hem the robber in
Her uncle thought the plan a good
/ one, and after q hurried consultation
with Aunt Mandy the three were soon
seen riding away on their different
errands; Ruth, not waiting to don her
habit, still in her white dress. sadly
torn, and wearing her large hat
/ 1t was weary ten miles, but Ouch
ess had an easy gait, and Ruth was at
home in the saddle
The Sheriff looked surprised when
his door opened, admitting the usually
tastefully attired Miss Harris. in her
! diSheveled dress and wide brimmed hat
| His surprise was deepened-I may say
his admiration also-by the time her
story was ended
When Ruth had concluded she arose.
And what do you intend doing
snow?" he asked.
Why, Tn going back to auntie; she
VIII be anxious about me-"
You will do nothing of the kind.
Ruth" Miss Harris blushed. Il will
take you to my mothers and to-mor-
row my sister and 1 will drive you
nome l will send a man to tell YOU,
| aunt
Bat look at my dress." said Ruth.
us the most becoming one l ever
saw you wear!" was the prompt re-
sponse, and Ruth made no reply.
half an hour later she and the
Sheriff's mother and sister watched the
posse ride down the street The leader
waved his hand as they passed the
house.
L hope they will all come back safe"
said the Sheriff's sister. Her mother
was crying softly and Ruth'S eyes were
full of tears.
Great was their joy when they saw
the little cavalcade returning that
evening, with an addition to their num-
Der, handsome young man who rode
IN their midst and chatted cheerfuily
with his companions.
"Oh! Poor fellow" said Grace
Glenn pityingly He is so young and
he doesn't seem like a bad mani" and
then she drew back lest he should see
her watching him.
Tn afraid they have the wrong
man. said Ruth thoughtfully The
robber took off his mask before he
climbed onto the stage, and he wore a
heavy black beard"
The Sheriff came home for tea soon
after and related what little there was
to tell concerning the robbers cap
ture. Nothing discriminating had been
found on his person. The ak had been
found at the Crossroads, but it was an
old one, evidently borrowed from some
farmers woodpile. Still there We're
enough suspicious circumstances to
warrant keeping him in custody The
passenger had said that his hight and
build seemed Identical with those of
the robber and he was willing to swear
that he wore similar ring.
Ruth listened in silence. When he
had finished, she asked, Gould the
man that arrested him find that tree
again?''
"Oh, yes was the reply. Il could
find it myself. 1t is not far from the
Crossroads
IF | were YOU said Ruth, Il should
climb that tree at the earliest possible
opportunity"
The Sheriff sprang to his feet
"Stupid To think we forgot that-all
of rs men! But he was so smooth