The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-06-16

HtIltu Nneu ne reached IL, ana tle pig
flakes had covered the ground with
white mantle which made his footsteps
inaudible as he walked along, not with
out slight feeling of uneasiness as he
thought of his little capital strapped
about his waist under his clothes in
waterproof belt which had been his
| first purchase.
AS he approached u saloon from
which came a confused murmur of
voices and sharp clinking of glasses,
two men came out directly in front of
him and turned in the direction in
which he was walking, being only
few feet in advance. Coming from the
well-lighted saloon as they did into the
thick storm, they failed to notice Tom,
and upon this fact his whole future de
pended, although he was far from sus-
pectng such an improbable thing at
the time.
81 tell you he's going on that bark
TO San Francisco" said the taller of the
two men. eagerly. Hes bound for the
Klondike, and he must have a fat roll
with him. | heard him say he would
buy his outfit out there. We can lay
for him on the dock when he is going
on board"
ITS a risky job" replied the other,
nervously.
"Oh, what's the matter with you!"
was the angry reioiuder
Nothing. but we take great risks.
don't like it,"
There's no risk at ALL" urged the
other "All we have TO do is just tap
him on the head and go through him.
The whole thing won't take a minute
and we can be at the West end before
he knows what struck him. I'm going
TO have his stuff, and if you want to go
back on me, III"
The rest of the sentence was indis-
| tinguishable. The word Klondike had
naturally attracted Toms attention,
and he had involuntarily strained to
catch the mems conversation, but he
felt sudden thrill Of horror as he
realized the full import Of what he had
just heard.
What could he do? That the men
were planning a robbery, if not a muir
|
the intended victim. for he had no
means of finding or knowing him, and
| TO lose sight of the men to find an
officer was out of the question. Then
the athletic young fellow set his teeth
and shrugged his broad shoulders,
while under his gloves pair of hard
fists balled up iuvoluntarily.
IL ipvlf
pay no attention TO the matter, but
Tom Scott was of different caliber. II
was true that he had seen little of the
great world, but he was brave TO a
fault. and nature had added tall,
well-knit frame TO this gift. He de-
termined TO prevent the villains from
accomplishing their purpose If II lay
in his power, and had no doubt of his
ability 10 do so.
Fearful that the men might turn and
see him. lie slackened his pace and al
lowed them to gain several yards on
him, keeping close TO the buildings
himself and hoping each moment to
see an officer.
But none appeared, and soon the two
] y
way, which led to one of the wharyes,
and were lost TO view.
Tom was in quandary. To venture
into the place was to invite attack from
the villains. and he decided to wait in
n convenient doorway until the in
tended victim came along or an Off
GER should appear TO whom he could
tell his story.
A few yards to the right he found a
sheltered recess in front of block, and
took up his station. keeping a SHARP
lookout in the direction of the saloon
where he naturally supposed the mar
was enjoying himself. 4 short dis
lance away a street lamp shone dimly
through the falling snow and threw q
broad band of light on the sidewalk
across which no one could pass without
being seen by him.
II was situation to try the stoutes'
nerves. for Tom was unarmed, and the
man he was trying to save might be
intoxicated, while the two robbers
would surely be provided with all the
tools of their trade, dozen schemes
luSlltA luIbNEh MS lllllh bH liz
Touched in the shadow, only to be dis
carded as useless, The time dragged
slowly enough, but his resolution die
not falter.
Suddenly a dark figure came stag
gering across the lighted space anC
Toms heart gave a bound. Was this
his man? Would he have sense enough
TO understand his danger?
No, the drunken sailor lurched hcavil,
along and turned up side street
short distance beyond the alleyway
where the men were hidden.
Another and still another followed n
intervals but none paused on their wa,
and Tom began to wonder if his ear
had not played him false, He was be
ginning to wayer when Il slight crunch
ing noise at his left caused him to turn
quickly in time to see the form of
man disappear in the alleyway, having
approached from the opposite direction