The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-01
HER FATHERS DEBT.

was to be found.
Becca trembled as she sped onward
with swift, sure steps down the path
that even in broad daylight was full of
duslxy shadows, and black. seemingly
fathomless recesses. where more than
once had. been known to Turk the dan
gerous beasts of the Rockies.
Il do hope he won't get woser while
I'm gone. oh, dear, dear, how fur 'tisi
HarkI What's that? It's only the wind
among the pines. There, l do at last
see the lights in Dickson's Flair
She was in the habit of going to
town" for her father frequently, and
we'll knew the way to the doctors cosy
Office.
Come income in he said gruffiy.
in answer to her rather sharp knock
Doctor, pops worSer."
Worse, hey2 Your father?"
Yes, he wants yer right off. -
.Pshawl he was we'll enough last
night. What's the trouble now, child?"
But Becca was gone, and the doctor,
much against his inclination, was oblig
ed to get out of his cosy chair, saddle
his mustang and start on his journey
across the mountain to where old 81
Scotts shanty stood.
Recca was, in the meantime, fairly
flying over the road. her mind full of
forebodingS in regard to her father, and
in terror at the loneliness around her.
She had passed over nearly half the
distance, when she paused suddenly,
and lodged behind a boulder.
What had startled herr Supreme
she had heard voices not far off-low,
whispering voices.
Size waited with a beating heart
scarcely knowing what to expect when
down the pass; undoubtedly the doctor
was coming, but Becca still chung to
her hiding place, listening, waiting-for.
what she could not tell.
On he came-on, on, urging his pony
to its best gait, no doubt anxious to
overtake her.
Halt, hands upi''
'Oh-the 'nation," spluttered the doc
tor. struggling to grasp mis- revolver.
Hands up, we fret
But the man of medicine had by this
time jerked his revolver out of his
pocket, and needless of all danger as
was his wont when aroused he raised
his arm and fired hastily; but the bullet
sped wide of it's mark, as might have
been expected.
$50 you're up to that game? Well,
here goes for answer
A sudden report rang out; the doctor
reeled in his saddle then tumbled from
his horse, which struggled to escape,
but was held by one of the road agents.
His pockets were soon emptied, and
the two masked men disappeareda among
the pines.
All this poor Becca had beheld dimly,
as the light from the few stars visible
was very slight, but her extreme near
ness to the scene rendered it only too
plain.
Almost frightened out of her senses,
she crept from her hiding place to the
doctors side
''Oh, doctorr' she whispered, ARE you
dead? What kin do? He's dead, sure
enough,'
But he moved slightly, then opened
his eyes and muttered:
THE villains! where are they?"
"Gone-run away Are you getting
better, doctor?'
Yes, yes; it's only a flesh wound in
my shoulder think: but the pain and
shock caused me to fall from my pony.
All, Becca, little girl you are a brave
child indeed but / cannot visit your
father tonight. There; catch my pony.
for me; and now, help me up. I'll make
it, 1 guess. I'll send you some one by
morning.
And, clinging to his horse the doctor
rode away, and Becca was once more
alone.
To run home was only the work of
few minutes, but as she approached
their shanty she heard loud voices with
in.
ITS that dreadful, swearin' Josh
Lowery, an he an pop ar quarrelin'.
Pop must be a heap better"
Becca crept up softly and peered IN
at their one window. The sight within,
and the words she overheard, almost
froze the blood in her veins.
There on the table. in the center of
the room. lay a pile of money-gold and
bank bills.
Il tell you what ST Scott growled
Josh; twas me planned the hull af-
fair an carried it out. and now you
squeal because 1 want the biggest sheer.
We've jist got to get this here settled
Shes deuced sharp, if she was good
enough to play into our hands tonight"
You speak the truth when you say
twas you planned this affair. 1 never
would eff it hadn't been for you. So
divide up even, Josh; the doctor was
amaZin' kind to come out with five
hundred on his person
I'll not do iti'' Missed JOSH snatching
up the entire pile and thrusting it in
his pocket, at the same time making for
the doorway swiftly.
But he did not get out as easily as
he hoped. for ST raised his revolver and
fired, and, wild as his aim was, it sent
Josh sprawling on the floor, with the
blood gushing from a wound in his side.
his life-blood, as was evident at a
glance.
At this same instant, with a wild
shrek. Becca leaped in over his pros
trate form.
Horrified. painting, she stood before
her father.
My God, Beccai"
'tOh, pop. what have you done?" she
gasped, noting Josh's white face and
dull eyes, in agony and terror.
Killed the meanest sneak an robber
in these here mountains He-he got me
into the scrape an then was a-clearin'
out with the whole pile. I had to shoot
him."
sOh,no, you didn'tl-and-and
hang you-the-Judge Lynch
ST started and grew pale, his real sit
uation dawning upon him.
You'll have to take the money, and
fly; it's your last chance, pop. Oh, how
could YOU do ft?''
Il had to-" repeated ST. doggedly;
but I'll clear out fast enough. How
bright you are, Becca, you'd better keep
a hundred yourself
Mel 1 wouldn't touch it for mil
lion dollarsi only want you ter save
yer life. Better hurry
you're like your nanny" muttered
81, "a leetle too honest. Well, goodbye,
Becca. child You deserved a better pop
than I've been to you, and tear trem-
bled on the old mans eye: he knew he
might never See her again. +-What'H you
do Becea2 whatll become O. your