The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1902-09-13

ESTABLISHING IOOu uepOlS LOE TUG uHHA vas
ed very much to one side. But he
quickly regalned his seat with an oath,
and. striking the horse, elattered after
his companions. Susan wondered why .
the man was disguised and dimly fan [
cied that the three rough-lOoking stran- .
gers were up to some mischief But .
she was thinking Of Jack the next mo- /
ment and the strange incident was
shelved
A few moments OF brisk walking
brought her TO the brow Of the hill
where the road turned sharply and ran
at an obllque along the side Of the steep
descent. Susan seated herself on log
and looked down into the village. which
lay. as 1t were. at her very feet. She
traced the one long street OF the ham
let, which was but a continuation "
the highway, and followed the dusty
line past her aunt's trim home. and
the little park with its soldiers mon
ument, and the town hall. and then
along to the bank-Jack's bank and
there her gaze rested.
{ Miss SuSan's eyes were good ones
I and the air was very clear. She saw
a horseman sitting in his saddle ut the
bank door. He was holding the bri-
dies OF two riderless horses. Even "a
she noted this the two riders rushed
from the building and leaped into their
saddles. There We're puds OF white
smoke and sharp denotations. Susan
could see people running in wild con
fusion. Then three riders started a
sharp canter up the road. Every dozen
yards or So one would turn in his sad
die and hre down the roadway.
Susan knew what this strange scene
meant. 1t was daylight bank rob
berry. one OF a series that terrorized all
the countryside during the past sum
mer. The three robbers were retreat
ing with their plumber. What had hap
peued in the bank: Why was Jack
not pursuing them? She suddenly turn
ell sick and cold.
Then an lndescribable impulse seized
her. She let herself over the edge u
the bank and began a mad scramble
down the steep decliyity. She meant
TO intercept the ruffians. She slid,
, she stumbled. once she fell. but she
never let 90 her hold on her precious
rife. And then. as the earth suddenly
seemed falling away from her. she
reached the level ground in confused
heap But she was on her feet In a
moment The highway was directly be-
fore her. The robbers were Cantering
ri -.
with the beard, and he had a coarse
bag fung across the saddle before him.
He was directly opposite Susan as she
plunged down to the edge Of the road
, way. He must have taken her for an
enemy, for his glittering revolver few
up and he fired in her direction quite
at random. Susan felt a sudden twitch
at her broad brimmed bat and quickly
! dropped behind some bushes that lined
the roadway. The barrel Of her ride
rose. The robber was rapidly increas
. ing the distance between them. She
had him covered. A moment more anC
It might BE- too late. She thought OIL
Jack and fired.
The horse Of the fleeing man sudden
ly leaped to one side and flung his
: rider heavily to the earth. As he wen
down he dragged the bag Of plunde
with him. The riderless horse gallOpet
after his companions.
Then Susan Gallon Brown sprani
into the roadway and fred five shots il
. rapid succession after the two horse
men. She did not aim to hit them. bu
rather TO Brighten them away. The,
hesltated a moment and then dashe'
;. madly ahead; the riderless horse gal
: looping In the rear.
o Susan ran forward to the prostrat
q man. lie was unconscious. Sh
stopped over him for a moment an
n then drew away the coarse bag. A
l. she suspected. 1t was half filed wit
I currency She shuddered as she looL
e ed at the llvid face Of the rutfian an
Il then at the blood that was slowly satr
2 rating his cOatsleeve. She began I
a feel a little faint.
il She was aroused by the sound {
wheels and the shouting Of a man.
le light phaeton was coming toward he
or In a moment she recognized the drive
ID as the local livery stable prOprietO
ID lie leaped out beside her
N Nailed him. didn't your he shou
Ne ed In a paroxysm Of excitement. :
D. was Just ready to drive out O. m
Of stable when they pelted by. As g,
d. into the roadway, l saw you blazi
t. away. XIII hlmr
l. mo" said Susan. He is stunne
M by the fall from his horse. | only air
IT. ed to break his shoulder"