New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-05-03
DESSIE'S
= BANDIT
By KATE NJ. CLEARY
Copyright, 1895. by Kate NJ. Cieary

der the great OAK, her eyes large ana
dark with terror. This must be he
now coming up the avenue! And no
one at home but mev
Involuntarily her swift glance meas
ured the distance to the gabled frame
house, then her frightened look went
back to the man limping up the path
the house before he was beside her.
And of all things she despised cow
ardice SO she hastily picked up the
magazine she had dropped in her first
shock of alarm and gripped it very
tightly to keep her hands from trem-
bling He was near-quite near her
now He stood still, and their eyes
met.
She saw muscular looking young
fellow, with wavy blond hair, a good,
square chin and dark blue eyes, direct
and intelligent of glance. He held his
handkerchief to wound on his tenn
pie, and she noticed the square of
linen was crimson. His appearance
| was singularly disheveled His clothes
were muddy, as though he had waded
| through creeks. His hat was battered.
| And the hating way in which he drag
! ged his leg indicated injury.
| He saw a young and very pretty
| girl dressed i'll a soft WOODEN gown Of
crimson cashmere. Her eyes were
gray, but just now SO dilated were the
pupils they appeared to be black. The
wind had rutfled her dusky hair about
her forehead There was no color in
! the piquant, frightened face.
Il beg your pardon," the man said,
and took of his hat Il fear 1 have
startled you. I've had quite an-an
experience and an accident. Have you
any objection if | go into the house?
| should like drink of water-and to
rest for little while"
| Bessie Hammersly stroye to speak,
but no words came to her lips. She re-
called what her uncle had told her a
few hours before when he had gone in
to the house for his revolver, mounted
his gray horse and had drawn rein to
explain before he joined the posse Of
determined looking farmers and towns
people at the gate.
Held up the bank at the county seat
all by himself and got away with a
cool thousand. This isn't his first ex-
plot. He's nervy ruffian. The bank
er is dangerously wounded = shot
through the shoulder He thinks-in
fact, knows-he hit the robber when he
fired by the blood that marked his es-
cape 1t isn't likely he'll have got far
before we strike his trail And when
we do
He had nodded grtmty there and gal
loped OFF. .,-4
And now here was a travel stained
injured srimy individual confronting
her and asking aid. II only the serv
ants had not gone in by special permits
sion to the annual fair In the nearest
town! II only her aunt had not gone
to spend the morning with neighbour!
I'm afraid the man said, with /
smile, surprised evidently at her 81
= lence and her air Of tense agitation
5 that you consider me too disreputabl'
an individual to admit to your home!'
He glanced down deprecatingly at hi
soiled and disordered attire. IF yo1
have Objections he said, with wha
sounded like an infection of offense, g
;, shall wait here if you will be goo,
2 enough to bring me the water"
He sank down on the seat, and as b
did so a groan burst from his lips. Sh
A saw drops of sweat start out aroun
II his handsome mouth
N ooh, I will!' she cried compassion
,e ately. You are suffering. 1 am sorry
u Just wait moment"
Re And pity was the sensation para
"a mount in the mind of Bessie Han
it mersly as she sped across the tawn
;e grass, looking like a flash of fame
As her vivid gown
Surprising he were bandit twent
ID times over! He reminded her of Cha
y lie-her beloved young brother. Bral
# dy. Some was always kept upstairs
IL the medicine chest for emergencie
Re SO up the stairs she few, dashed
an quantity of the liquor into the gias
IN she held aud, adding water at the kite
es en- sink, sped out again into the autumn
n. sunshine and across the lawn.
Sc Here" she gasped ''take this
of quick
on He was deadly pale Ills head, wi
eyes closed, rested against the brow
tree trunk His handkerchief had ia
en- to the ground, and she saw tn
the blood was trickling from a jagg,
cut across his temple.
re Without the slightest shrinking
he he hesitation she leaned down and he
the glass to his lips.
JA ''YOu must drink this at oncev s
said, speaking loudly "And then v
'0r may go into the house II you wis
You can go up in the attic and
down. No one goes there Her tout
ho her voice, the strong odor of the liqu
seo reused him. He opened his eyes, s
CT, erect and took the glass with a slig
mo bow Of acknowledgment and sw
nat smile
.'You are very good He drank |
aYs mixture gratefully. Almost at or
oy its effect was perceptible The co
VII came back to his cheek. He CROPPED !
ny his handkerchief 81 shall not intru