The Lamar register., 1902-12-24

"But," bitterly. you will tell her about
-about-this:'
81 will do this, Frank. l will give you
two years to prove yourself. If you are
sincere, TIE secret vii! be yours and mine.
If you do not, l will tell them OF tonight
ard Of"
She turned toward the group they had
left in the moonlight beyord the wagon.
| His eyes followed hers and grew large as
] he saw the transformation that had taken
| place.
Hands up.' Curlin's cool voice gave
the order, and his revolver was pointed at
them. The other robbers had fled The
chief was alone.
The girl, needless of the summons, lift
ed the mack to hide the face OF the man
beside her and then stepped in front Of
him. Carlin lowered his gun. Get out Of
the way" he called. Hell escaped"
No, he won't escape" was the calm
reply-"not now. | will speak for him.
| Where are the others:'
Gone. We told them the chief had
skipped and they were scared. They took
all our things with 'em, though"
"You must begin now" said the girl,
turning to the chief. 'Understand:"
He bowed his head. III do it," he
whispered, "honor bright"
Co." she ordered, and, facing the puz-
zled ranchman, held both his hands un-
Ill the other had vanished in the sun
| flower stalks. Carlin glowed under tho
| girls touch, and obeyed.
DO you belong to this-company he
asked, little bitterly, as she loosed his
aims, now that it was too late.
mo, but you remember what You said
little while ago. there is more than one
kind of bravery"
| A shrill whistle sounded off to the right
| 4 I h,, h. ma r.
tette so recently departed. The passen-
gers were covered by their revolvers and
they were at the bandits mercy once
more.
But the masked chief stepped forward.
holding in his hand Carln's watch and
| pocketbook; he gave to the others their
belongings watches, jewelry and re-
volvers-Carlin was the only one who had
hidden his gun.
1t was all done SO silently and quickly
that the stageload could scarcely under
stand what was happening.
When the last trinket had been distrib-
uted the masked chief bowed low. His
fine mouth just showing beneath the
fringe of black curled little-whether in
fun or contempt none could tell.
Merry Christmas! l am Santa Claus''
lie bowed again, stepped back, bent his
eyes on Miss Macon-and the strangers
had departed.
The passengers, looking down at their
watches, read the time-it was past mid
night-Christmas morning.
The stage reached the end of its jour
ney six hours late. Before it arrived Car
lin had asked permission to call on Miss
Macon and discuss the strange events oi
the ride. Il am not used to receiving
gifts at that time of night" said he.
Though Carlin called and they talked
over the nights happenings, she did not
explain. There was newspaper story oil
crazy stage robbcr who gave back all he
stole (you may have read it, and she did
not correct that-not even when, year
later, Carlin made her his bride and
claimed that he had received two Christ
mas presents from the chief.
Years afterward they visited New Eng
land the guests of their brothcr.in'law
the mayor of Danvers. ''Do you know.
remarked Carlin, to his wife, Frank has
fine mouth-it reminds me OF some ons
l have seen somewhere"
| She did not reply.