Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-08-29

unused. glancing askance at the Gull
verton mail bag, which lay at his feet,
as he drove out into the country-a
giant among the lesser bags for sur
rounding villages-"and yet it seem
ingly gives me chance | shouldn't
otherwise get. Gee-up, Polly" this to
the mare. 1T don't do to think"
| But his thoughts possessed him.
! 81 might slit the bag up, take out
, the letter and say I'd been attacked
! and robbed" he reflected. "Margery
might take turn for the better II she
didn't get the sack on the day she's
been expecting it. Maybe she'd be
more able to bear it week or two
later on"
mo. III do no such thing" he told
himself. Thirty years I've carried the
mails, and never black mark to my
name. and-well, l respect myself too
much"
He drew the whip across the mares
tanks to start her on again, but al
most Immediately his hand frightened
on the reins. A figure had stepped
from the hedge into the road. Tho
moonbeams glinted on the nickeied
barrel of pistol and pair Of eyes
shone from the Sits of a Grape mask.
Simon could hardly believe his senses.
1t seemed like a judgment on him for
thinking of his abandoned project
to be confronted by real robber Just
then. the first he bad ever encoun-
tered
Pull up. my man, and chuck out
the mail bags" said he of the mask
in gruff tones. suggesting a feigned
voice. You see am armed shan't
hesitate to shoot if you disobey."
One by one Simon dropped the bags
into the road. carefully letting them
fall close to the cart. They had hardly
touched the ground when the robber
singled out the bag stamped Culver
ton" and ripping 1t open with his
knife. shook out white shower on the
| highway. BY the light of the lantern
he began to eagerly scan the addresses
on the envelopes. keeping wary eye
on Simon the while.
Simon, too watched the aggressor
like lynx and presently seized the
opportunity for which he had been
waiting. The robber had become sud
denly engrossed in the address Of an
envelope, when with an agility Won
derful for one Of his years the old
driver leaped from the cart on to his
back, hurting him to the ground and
sending the loosely held pistol flying.
In moment the two were struggling
for the mastery. Simon Merridew,
with the advantage of being upper
most-and advantage which he used
to pluck off his opponents mask
"Well, I'm blessed If 1t amt the r
"Well, I'm blessed II 1t amt the
younger Of the two Roystons." he
painted as the light fell on the up
turned features. I'm going to hang
on to you and get you seven years for
this"
II suppose that would be the pen
atty" said the young man, calmly. Il
will do whatever you wish. Mr.. Mer-
ridew. If you will let me get up and
hear what have to say"
Elated by his victory. Simon per
mitted him to rise, but not till he had
reached out and possessed himself of
the pistol NOW spit it out and be
done with it before l drive you to Cul-
verton police station" he said. stern
ly. But Edward Royston's reply took
his breath away.
I'VE have had this rough and-tuni
bic. Mr.. Merridew." said the captive,
because | love your daughter and
believe she loves me. ! wanted to
stop that letter which my father posted
to her with his own hands, and | was
not aware that You drove the mail cart
till after | had ordered you to pull
up; then | thought | had better go
on with it. Believe me. had no in
tentiOn of doing the driver any harm
if he resisted; | hoped to carry the
play through by sheer bluff. That pis-
tol isn't loaded"
Simon's tanned visage creased into
a hundred wrinkles the upper half %
Ids face seemed to be frOwnng. but
round his mouth the lines curved and
twitched suSpiciously like a grin. He
spoke not for nearly a minute, for he
was trying to reconcile the dictates of
duty with those of parental affection
Had you found the letter." he asked
suddenly.
4 had it in my hand when you
jumped and | didn't let GO" said Roy
ston, disclosing crumpled paper IN
his palm.
Then. my lad trust you to carry
out the rest OF the program Said
Simon I'm forget pulled your mask
off when | report the attack on the
mail" Sun.