The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-06-30

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Five minutes later he was back again.
Tom had not returned, and Rider
pulped down another draught Of fiery
liquor and then sltulked up the street
until he came to the darkest portion.
where narrow alley afforded him Sc
cure hiding place. His right hand was
hidden in the pocket Of his coat and
grasped a short implement made of
bone. which the sailors call lid" and
which he had secured while on board
few moments before.
Under ordinary circumstances the
liquor he had imbibed would have con
fused his BRAIN but nov he was only
conscious of an intense, overpowering
determination to secure the papers
which meant so much TO the man who
could reach the gold region with them.
There had been smart shower in the
early part Of the evening. and the drip
ing from the low caves of the houses
still continued, but had dragging and
relenting sound A solitary street light
80 yards away cast a dismal CLEAN for
few square yards in either direction,
while an occasional burst of drunken
laughter from the next street told of
some party of jewellers making their
noisy way home
The mate noticed none of these
things. His eyes were fixed intently
in the direction from which he expect
ed his victim to come, and his square
Jaws were set Through his brain ran
but one thought:
"The papers,"
Half an hour passed and Tom came
striding along under the gaslight,
humming a tune and merrily rehears-
ing the play he had just witnessed.
Suddenly the watcher uttered an inn
precation under his breath. for lust as
he was gathering himself for spring
he espied a dark figure stealing noise
lessly along behind the young man.
Closer and closer crept the fateful
shadow, and as Tom arrived opposite
the alley where the mate was crouch
,rg, the latter saw the second figure
take a few rapid noiseless strides.
Then an arm was raised over Toms
head and fell with crushing force. send
ing him stunned and seLseless TO the
-e--N- ---H sseS'AtAAtlA
bent over his form to secure the valu-
ables he might have about him.
With a shout Of rage the mate rushed
from his place Of corcealment toward
the stranger. who sprang nimbly to his
feet and sped down the street at amaz-
ing speed. without waiting to dispute
the field with the newcomer.
TO kuecl by the PROSTATE form and
tear open his clothing was the work
IF an instant. and when Obed Rider
rose to his feet lie he'd the belt con-
tanning the precious documents in his
aands.
Slipping il quickly into his pocket he
, gave a hasty glance about him. All was
still and once more he knelt by Tom $
side, painting.
rs he dead? mus, be sure!"
In one hand he grasped his weapon
and the other he placed over the young
mans heart.
AT first he detected no pulsation,
then there was a feeble futter and a
moment later Tom groaued family.
Hes a,ive!"
The words were Kissed forth in a
murderous manner and as he spoke
Rider raised his weapon.
But the blow did no, fall. for even as
&c uorved himself for the stroke the
nate had a new thought which arrested
els arm. He must have money and had
20 time to lose, If be robbed Tom of
, both money and papers the victim.
even If he recovered. was powerless to
pursue his journey further. Who
would believe his story Of the gold
mine?
All his flashed through his brain in
much less time than ii takes 10 write it,