West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-04-13

And, coming through the crowd, ho
threw the rocsc OFT my neck.
Don't shoot. Mr.. Cullen, yelled.
rs my fr-ci,ds halted and ryiscd thcir
riics, and fortunately the cowboys had
opened M CROUCH TO let them hear me
and sec that L was free Of the rope
Escorted by Camp. Baldwin and the
cowboys, l walked toward them. On
the way Baldwin said in a low voice:
'nNivcr the letters, and we'll tell the
boys there has been mistake. Other
Nrisc''--
When he came up 60 the FIVE, / called
TO them that 1 had agreed TO surrender
the letters. While l WAS saying it Miss
Cullen joined them, and il was curious
to sec how respectfully the cowboys
took of their hats and fell back.
You are quite right" Mr.. Cullen
called. Give them the letters AT cnco. ."
"Oh, do. Mr.. Gordon. " said MadCe.
still whito and breathless with emotion.
"Thc money is nothing. Don't thing
IL was all sho could say.
fclt pretty small, but with Camp
and Baldwin, now rC-CnfOrccd by Juc 20
Wilson, went To the station, ordered
the agent 10 open the safe, took out tho
three letters and handed them 10 Mr..
Camp, realizing how poor Madge must
have felt on Hance's trail.
just as he took them we heard ont
side the first note of "a buRle, and as it
sounded by fours, column left" nv
heart gave big jump and the blood
came rushing 20 my face. Camp, Bald
win and Wilson dashed out Of the door.
and l wasn't two feet behind them.
Thoro was a squadron Of cavalry swing
ing circle round tho station, and we
had barely reached the platform when
the bugle sounded Halt" quickly fol.
lowed by Forward left. AS the ranks
wheeled and closed up as IA solid line
about us i could have cheercd with de-
light There was a moments dramatic
hush, in which we could all hear the
breathing Of the winGcd horses. and
then came the clatter of sword and
spurs as an officer sprang from his sad
die.
II want Richard Gordon" 1" the Off
Ger called.
said, "At your service and badly
In need Of yours, Captain Singer"
Hope the delay hasn't spoiled
things" said the captain. "wo had a
cursed fool Of guide, who took the
wrong trail and ran us into Limestone
canyon, where VIC had 20 camp for the
night.
explained tho situation az quickly
us | could, and the captain a eyes gleam-
ed "Id have given bad quarter TO
have got here ten minutes sooner and
ridden my men over those scoundrels 4"
he mutterod II saw them scatter rs
we rode up, and if I'd known what
they'd tecn doing we'd have given
them a volloy." Then he walked over
20 MIR. Camp and said, GIVE mo those
letters.
Il hold those letters by virtue of an
order - Camp began.
Give me those letters" the captain
interrupted.
DO you intend high handed inter-
ference with the civil authoritics?"
Judge Wilson demanded.
Come, come" said the captain
"You have taken forcible possession Of
tho United States property. Any talk
about civil authorities is rubbish. and
you know it. "
a " - AANf'l tAlt-iA Ut NSHIilD.
Corporal Jackson, dismount q guard
OF SIX mcnP' rang the captains voice,
interruptiuS him.
Evidently something in the voice or
order convinced Mr.. Camp, for the let
ters were hastily produced and given to
Singer, who at once handed them 20 me.
/ turned with them TO the Cullons, and.
laughing, said, "All's well that ends
we'll +"
But they didn't seem 20 care a bit
about the recovery OF the letters and
only wanted to have q haudshaze all
round over my escape. Even Lord Rallies
said, Glad we could be OF little scry.
ice" aud didn't refuse my thanks,
though tho deuce knows they were bad
Iy enough expressed, in my conscious
ness that had done an ungentlemanly
trick over thogc trousers Of his and that
he had becH above remembering il when
was in real danger. I'm ashamed
enough TO confess that when Miss Cul-
len held out her hand l made believe
not to see 1t. I'm bad hand at pretend
ing, and L saw Madge color up at my
act
The captain finally called me off TO
consult about our proceedings. / felt no
very strong love for Camp, Baldwin or
Wilson, but l didn't sec that military
arrest would accomplish anything, and
after little discussion it was decided
TO let them alone, as we could well at
ford 20 do, having won.
This matter decided, / said TO the
captain: ''I'll be Obliged IL yOu'll put a
guard round my car. And then, II you
and your officers will come inside. I
have a--somothlng in bottle recon-
meDded for removing alkali dust from
tho tOnsils. "
Very happy 10 test your prescrip-
tion, - said Singer gcnially.
started 10 go with him, but could
not resist turning 60 Hr. Camp and his
friends and saying:
Gentlemen, the q. S. is n big affair.
but it isn't quite big enough TO fight
tho o. s.
TO be Continued