Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-22
it was time for him to be OFF and re-
took possession of his revolver. the
child sobbed.

took possession Of his revolver, the
child sobbed.
"Eiddy wants the gun! Kiddy wants
to shoot evlybody! Nasty. unkind un-
Gle! Give me the gun! Give me-the-
gu-u-u-unv' he cried.
BY this time his uncle had mounted
his horse, and, with wave of the
hand, rode away, while Master Kiddy
was recaptured by his mother. a gen.
tie, delicate-looklng girl. and after u
prolonged struggle, was finally dis
posedsof in his little bed.
sl
Two hours later Ned Hartley and his
wife were sitting out on the verandah,
he smoking short pipe, Lucy slowly
rocking herself to and fro and now and
then applying herself to some needle
work.
They had been discussing their plans
for the long-talked-of and often-defer-
red trip to Melbourne, and there was
an unwonted look Of animation In the
young woman's face.
And you really think we shall be
able to go this time" she said. "Oh,
Ned, how do long to get among peo-
pie, to see houses. streets. carriages
anything and everything-to get away
from this eternal, monotonous bush!"
And with sigh she hid her face on
her husbands shoulder.
Nothing will prevent us this time.
dear; unless"-with a short laugh
Jacks croakings should take detipite
shape-unless, in short, we should be
rushed and the money taken. Then
there would be no trip for us this
year, ut any ratew
"Don't!" she exclaimed. looking fear.
fully around her. ut could not hap
pen! cannot think that"
The sentence was unfinished. Before
them stood man who had seemingly
dropped from nowhere. Ned threw
himself in front of his wife.
The stranger was attired in shabby
corduroy brooches and tattered wool
len shirt, the color of which might have
been once blue; tall cowhide boots en-
cased his feet and legs; in one hand
he held with mock politeness an apolo-
gy for a hat, in the other. pointed
straight at Ned's head. was murder.
ous-looking siX-shooter.
Sorry to interrupt the billing and
cooling, but might l trouble YOU to
hand over to me that six hundred
pounds you received last night from
Barton's? Stop! No humbug-hands
up!-the drawing voice changed into
sharp growl. Never mind your
wife: I'll look after her." Poor Lucy
had tainted and was lying in heap
on the floor of the verandah. "You
walk in front of me and show me
where you put the swag; make an at
tempt to get ct your iron or to call for
help and I'll shoot you like dog!'
There was no help for it. Ned, his
face contracted with rage and hopeless
misery, led the rutilan into his room.
where, in a little cot, Kiddy, fast
asleep, was smiling In his dreams.
In small cupboard which Ned had
built into the wall by the side of the
bed lay the result of two years. hard
work and priyations-the money that
was to have brought back health and
happiness to Lucy.
In silence he handed the bag and
notes to the ruffian, who. still keeping
Ned covered with his weapon, forced
him back to the yerandah.
"Now, mate. having called upon you
just about supper-time. 1t would not be
manners for me to depart before I've
had the pleasure of sharing the family
mealw Lord Jim remarked in pitiless,
hooking tones. Ladies' company is
always pleasant, even when they are
in faint! How long does this young
lady generally stay in hers with a
grim chuckle. Not having the felicity
of being married myself. am not ac-
quainted with the means of restoring
young and sensitive females to their
senses! Perhaps kiss might do itr'i
AS the brute approached his wife
with the intention of fulfilling his vile
threat, Ned. with a yell of fury, re-
CARELESS Of consequences, unarmed as
he was, threw himself upon the ruff
fan. Surprised by the sudden and
unexpected onslaught. Lord JIM
dropped his weapon. which rolled Z