Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-11-03

Atlantic avenue was practically de.
serted when he reached it, and the big
fakes had covered the ground with a
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 a
waterproof belt which had been his
first purchase.
AS he approached a 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 a
few feet in advance. Coming from the
well-1ighted 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-
pecting such an improbable thing at
the time.
ST 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"
'It's risky job" replied the other,
nervously.
ooh, what's the matter with you'll"
was. the angry rejoinder.
Nothing, but we take great risks. 1
don't like it,
There's no risk at ALL" urged the
other. Cali we have to do is just tap
him~on the head and go through him.
The whole thing won't take 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, I'll"
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 a 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 MUIR
der, was evident. He could not warn
the intended victim, for he had no
means of finding or knowing him. and
10 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 involuntarily.
To some it might have occurred to
pay no attention to the matter, but
Tom Scott was of different caliber. 1t
was true that he had seen little of the
great world, but he was brave to
fault, and nature had added a tall.
well-knit frame to this gift. He de-
termined to prevent the villains from
accomplishing their purpose if it lay
in his power, and had no doubt of his
ability to do SO.
Fearful that the men might turn and
see him, he 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
thugs turned into a dark, narrow alley
way. which led to one of the wharves,
and were lost to view.
into the place was to invite attack from
the villains, and he decided to wait in
q 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
sheltered recess in front of block, and
took up his station, keeping sharp
lookout in the direction of the saloon,
where he naturally supposed the man
was enjoying himself A short dis
lance away street lamp shone 1imly
through the falling snow and threw a
broad band of light on the sidewalk.
across which no one could pass without
being seen by him.
It was a situation to try the stoutest
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. A dozen schemes
flashed through his mind as he
crouched in the shadow. only to be dis
carded as useless. The time dragged
slowly enough, but his resolution did
not falter.
Suddenly dark figure came stag
gering across the lighted space and
Toms heart gave bound Was this
his man? Would he have sense enough
to understand his danger?
No, the drunken sailor lurched heavily
along and turned up side street a
short distance beyond the alieyway,
where the men were hidden.
Another and still another followed at
| intervals, but none paused on their way
| and Tom began to wonder if his ears
had not played him false. He was be-
ginning to waver when a slight crunch
ing noise at his left caused him to turn
quickly in time to see the form of a
man disappear in the a1leyway, having
| approached from the opposite direction
| while Tom was lookipo up the avenue