Graham guardian., 1902-09-12
A WALKING PARTY
[OriginaL.1


in the city. She talked great deal
of her father, and it was plain that
they were devoted TO each other. 1
wished l could meet him and do some
thing to ingratiate myself into his ia
vor, for l knew he would have Il great
influence over his daughter when the
crisis came.
Miss Chalmers and 1 spent much
time on the piazza looking at the beau
tiful view far below, the fields of rip
ening corn and those from which the
grain had already been cut the whole
resembling patchwork in a quilt, often
watching for the afternoon stage to
come numbering up the incline, bring
ing the days passengers from the sta.
ton. Besides, we were both good
walkers and tramped over every possi-
bic path within reach.
Father is Il great walker" she said
| every time we started out. 'How l
| do wish he would come up and walk
with usG'
One afternoon Miss Chalmers was
indisposed, and | was obliged to walk
! alone. My thoughts dwelt continually
upon her, and l wished l might have
an opportunity to do something heroic
that would commend me to her.
walked down the winding road in the
direction of the station. passing the
stage Oh its way up Farther down |
| passed two men who scrutiuiZcd me
! closely, then passed on. saying:
"There's desperate character hid
ing in these mountains. We're looking
for him. If he meets you, he might
ask for loan. He's very hard up"
| what is he like" | asked.
Reddish beard; sandy hair mixed
with gray; sturdy fellow; cast in his
| left eye"
The first thing did after the men
were out of sight was to select Il stout
cudgel from the dead wood lying about,
| and | resolved that if ] encountered
the desperate l would see what l could
do toward taking him in. 1t occurred
! to me that he might be armed. but
| thought how splendid. | would feel to
march him up TO the piazza Of the hotel
In view of the guests, especially Miss
Chalmers, and determined to take any
; risk.
Half an hour later | saw man COM
ing up the road-"reddish beard; sandy
hair mixed with gray; sturdy fellow;
let me get look ut his left eye"
stopped square in his front and looked
at the eye in question. If the cast was
| ,nt II J. n,,f.
"Where do you hail fromT' ] asked
in an authoritative tone.
"Why do you ask"
''Never mind that. Answer my ques-
ton"
Not until you show your authority
for asking"
give been looking for you," said in
the tone Of an officer Of the law, at the
same time putting my hand under my
coat at the hip where constables carry
their revolvers "Pass on. I'll walk
behind"
The man looked at me and in the
direction my hand had taken, then
said:
There's some mistake about this"
"All men who are wanted advance
that plea. Move on"
Without word he turned and walk
ed on up the road / was delighted
with my success. Ii looked as If he
would be easily landed. But 1 had
three miles to take him and must keep
a close watch. Indeed was convinced
that his want Of resistance meant
ruse when an opportunity should pre-
sent itself, I was right. We had gone
perhaps a mile and l had closed up to
within two yards of him when he
suddenly turned and with the agility
Of a cat sprang upon me. He was as
strong as he was nimble, and in n
| twinkling found myself on my back,
my cudgel knocked out of my hand.
He seized it and, holding it over me,
thrust his hand to my right hip for my
| revolver.
"Bluffp' he exclaimed contemptuoUs-
ly. ''Now, young man, get up and take
the lead yourself"
l was caught in my own trap, unarm-
ed, at the mercy Of Il desperate man,
with club.
(Which wayY l asked.
Cup"
There is a moment in my life that
can never recall without supreme an
guish, modification, despair. \ loved
| and loving one has done all in her pow
er to cause me to forget it, but 1t is still
the sore spot of my existence. At this
crucial moment l was walking before
my captor up TO the Mountain House.
At my left the setting sun was cover
ing the wide stretch Of fields below
with glory, but did not see it. saw
on the hotel piazza the guests assem-
bled before dinner Each looked as tall
as a specter in the Brocken. And
running down the path to meet us was
Miss Chalmers!
"Oh, papa, is it really you? How like
you to walk up instead of riding"
stand off moment, Ethel. I've got
lunatic or something i'm tow. If
give him a chance, he'll turn on me-"
"a lunatic! Why, that's Mr. Trot-
terr
"a friend Of yours"
"Of course. He's such a walker!
Now you have come we can all take
long walks together"
/ had no heart for an explanation,
and Mr.. Chalmers kindly did the best
he could for me- His daughter, instead
of laughing at me, sympathized with
me. have consequently since been