The St. Mary banner., 1904-10-15
"That's q lovely stretch; blamed

THAT'S lovely 0treLcH, uldHeo
lonesome road, Seth. You go by that
Polish settlement, don't ycu? Say
they're an uneasy gang, all down on
everybody connected with the ROAD.
Better wait till tomorrow. l would
Cant do it," he complained. wish
| I could, but must report to the bcss
| at 5 a. m. AS you say, Jack, 1t alnt
| safe for one Of us fellers to go trail
| ing out there in the dark. I've no
weapon, either Say. I'll be back by
II o'clock. You couldn't spare me your
gun till then, could you? l suppose
you've got one"
Seth, left the blamed thing at
home. Came away in hurry, and
never thought CT it. Too bad. VI
course, I'd have lent it to you. Been
glad to. Go around to the house and
ask Kate for it."
The caller looked down, shaking his
head. NO" said he; tits 15-mlnute
walk, and out CT my way. III step
along, | guess, and take my chances
before it gets later. The wind is ris-
ing from the way those wires hum.
I'll be going back, Jack, and maybe
drop in on my return. You're a lucky
dog to be housed and warm. II think
Of you when I'm rubbing my ears
He laughed strangely, turned up the
collar CT his heavy ulster, nodded and
departed.
Outside, SharpsOn did not start In
the direction of Dashnell's remote
home Instead he picked his way
across the tracks and climbed into an
empty car They'll meet me here, :"
he growled. 1--WE luck for once"
An hour later Lawson turned as the
door opened scftly.
"Kate." he cried, startled. whats
the matter?"
"I've brought your pistol, Jack. I
got to worrying. I'm sorry, dear.
Won't you kiss me now?"
There, there" soothed the man, all
his anger vanished, as she shivered
and sobbed in his arms. You Should
never have come out in this storm.
Alone, too. I'll have to keep you till
Bourne arrives. We will sit here and
make up He laughed and kissed
her fervently.
The big revolver was in his right
hand, as he playfully pushed her from
his knee with his left, bidding her re-
move the damp cloak, and he faced the
door as it again swung open to admit
three masked figures, pushing in hast
lily.
A cool man was Lawson, quick and
an unerring marksman. He took no
chances.
A woman's scream echoed above the
deafening explosions. Through the
smoke, and loud over the heavy grcans
from the huddled heap rose the steady
voice Of the operator. Keep quiet,
girl! I've nailed the whole bunch!"
Striding to the sprawled figures he
tore at the masks roughly.
Good God" came his shocked
words. "One of them's Sharpson! L
l don't understand. Those other men
are a couple of brutes from the Polish
settlement"
After help had arrived in response
to his startling message, and the man
who could whisper kept muttering,
Lawson bent his head to catch the
husky murmur.
I'VE vas paid to do it,
"Eh? said the operator. by the
man who robbed DicksOn?"
The matted shock Of head moved
afgirmatively.
A pale-faced young man hurried to
Lawsons side. Your wife is asking
for you, Jack Better take her home.
I'll tend to the work. Amt this aw-
ful?"
Might have been worse" answered
his friend, grimly. Much obliged,
Harry. I'll get this little woman right
out Sharpson's gene; the others will
live. Say, boy, if you ever refuse to
kiss your wife good-by, just forget to
take along your gun
Harry stared at him, not compre-
hending, but he knows the story now,
and every man c1<Ahe D. P. & l.. sys-
TEN has told his the tale of Kate
Lawson's good-by kiss and how she
saved her husband.-Elliot Walker, in
San Francisco Call.