The record-union., 1898-03-27

songued we never thought of it and
swallowed his gum story like young
ster would chew of that same gCm!"
lnWardly the Sheriff was rejecting
that such woman as Ruth would
prove Invaluable TO a Sheriff in the
capacity of wife and confidential ad-
wiser Early next morning the two
girls, the Sheriff and the man who had
arrested the suspected robber set forth
in carriage.
They left the carriage at the Cross
roads and set out in search of the tree
which they soon found 1t was bare
of limbs for some distance from the
ground but the Sheriff Skinned" up it
like schoolboy, somewhat to the
amusement Of the girls. The Sheriff
felt like a school-b boy, somehow, that
morning.
He gave loud hurrah when he had
nearly gained the summit of the tree,
which was an unusually tall one.
What is it?" cried the two girls in
chorus.
Watch out for your heads" was the
answer, and then down tumbled a pair
of ragged overalls, a blue Jumper,
slouch hat, bandana and heavy boots
The Sheriff followed bearing with
some difficulty the robbers rifle and u
small satchel filed with gold and notes
But where are the whiskeIS?" asked
Ruth, and then both girls burst into
merry laughter at sight of the dignified
Sheriff who had mysteriOusly acquired
a long and luyuriant black beard dur
ing his brief Sojourn amongst the pine
boughs.
Il suppose he had his clothes in this
tree all the time and came up here and
changed. He'd have to be akin to a
monkey to do it, but I think he's cap
able nf it. He intended to lie here all
day and let his horse feed, then take
the money and pull out By moonlight.
Well, we fooled him-or Ruthie dld,
rather" said the Sheriff in tone that
made his sister smile.
But" persisted Ruth. "why did he
go down the road so far to rob the first
stage?"
Fate, my dear Miss Harris" said
the Sheriff, in a tragic tone that made
them all laugh. and yet caused Ruth
to turn her head in vain endeavor 20
hide her crimson cheeks.
The robber, in face of the evidence,
could only plead guilty.
On account of the prisoners youth
and the eXtenuating circumstance Of
the return of the passengers money,
the Judge was disposed TO be lenient.
He therefore imposed the minimum
penalty, five years in the penitentiary.
Before he was taken away he said to
the Sheriff one day: 'Mr Glenn, you
have been kind to me. l wish to ask
one more favor Of you. Is it true that
you are to marry the clever young lady
who was the cause of my conviction,
if not my capture?"
The Sheriff, in surprise responded
somewhat coldly that such was his in
tention.
Then" said the prisoner, 4 want
you to accept the ring l wore at the
time of my capture, and ask her to
wear it as her engagement ring"
The Sheriff hesitated.
1T belonged to my mother once"
said the prisoner, in a strange, low
tone She is dead. If she had lived
I might have been different Her name
was Ruth. too. You will find her name
inside the ring. I am not fit to wear it
now," he added, with tears in the eyes
that had always before been so bright
and defiant.
The big, oft-hearted Sheriff held OUT
his hand. The other clasped it in ST
lence Either man would have found
speech difficult just then.
Somehow Dan Glenn had come 10
have what he called a ''sneaking af-
fection for this bandit with the hoyish
face.
If it had not been for a troublesome
conscience and certain ideas as to
Sherift's duty which he unfortunately
possessed, 1 fear he would have for
gotten to lock the prisoners cell some
night. Glenn could not forget that the
robber had been instrumental in bring
ing about a certain "consummation de-
voutly TO be wished that was to be
consummated soon.
When he left him at the State Prison
the mans last words were: IF | ever
get out of this, Glenn, I'll be a differ
ent man."
They heard that he was killed before
half his term had expired in an at
tempt to aid in preventing the escape
of couple OF desperate criminals.
Poor fellow!" sighed Grace Glenn.
softly. He was so young, and ha did
not seem like a bad mani"
The Sheriff said nothing, but his wife
knew that he turned and looked out Of