Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-05

Devils Gulch to capture Brisbane, while
Brisbane, with only six good men, cap
lures Morgan right under the guns OF his
fort. Yes, it's Joke. | see it now, the
outlaw said solemnly And next I'll see
that diamond ring. Mebbe til fit my gal
as well as yours. And thet's another
joke" He slowly stretched his great hand,
palm up, across the table.
Il haven't got it, Brisbane" Ned re-
piled deliberately, and if l had, l
wouldn't turn it over to you"
Mona saw an opportunity for which she
had been waiting. Before Ned could finish
or Brisbane reply, she said Here is the
ring, if that is all you want " and hurrying
to them she laid it on the table.
She expected the frown which contract
ed Neds forehead, and she was not sorry
to show him that she thought more of
him than of the ring. The opportunity,
however, for which she had been waiting
was an excuse to place herself between
Ned and the four rifles in the door She
measured the line carefully, with a marks
mans eye, before she started and stopped
beside the table where she was sure that
she covered it. Neither Mona nor the out
law expected the quick motion with which
Colonel Morgan picked up the ring, and
smiling in spite of the frown, slipped it
into his pocket.
The muscles of Brisbane's big hand
frightened and the hand moved toward
his belt. Mona saw it. Her heart stood
still, but she only clutched the table, for
she dared not move from between Ned
and the other four. But the big hand stop
ped on the edge of the table. The game
was his. There was no haste. The outlaw
purposed to play it slowly, for what there
was in it. He preferred to see Colonel
Morgan yield to him. With eyes fixed on
him he muttered:
let We in to say peaceable good-by
with the gal. But I've no great crop O.
patience handy. You fork over tibet ring,
an git through yer nonsense lively and
quiet, or III leave yer right here for the
undertaken, see? And that's another
joke"
Ned leaned back in his chair, replying
slowly: 1t would be, Brisbane, if it
would only work; but there's no point to
it. When | heard that you had inter
cepted and read my letter to Miss Sher-
man, and had laid a trap to catch me
here tonight Don't you dare to move
a finger, old man, or three good bullets
will find YOU quick! You can look over
your shoulder at the library door and
you'll see where they'll come from. You
can look at the front door and see whether
your men or mine are on guard. | simply
played the same game and have taken
You and your men instead If you go
with me peaceably, you are prisoner of
war, and will be treated as such. Other
wise you will be shot now or at daylight
in the morning, as you think best"
With groan Brisbanes head fell upon
his hands. The soldiers who had entered
the library through the window hurried
in, and slipping handouts on his wrists led
him away. Mona fell fainting in Ned
arms. When she recovered she was sitting
in the armchair by the fire. Ned was
beside her They were alone
1t is all well that ends well, Mona,
darling" he was saying when she fully
comprehended. Catching Brisbane was
the best thing possible. It's the luck of
your birthday, darling. But where should
| have been by now, if it hadn't been for