The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-16
By KATE M. cLEARY

u
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 halting way in which he drag
ged his leg indicated injury.
He saw young and very pretty
girl dressed in soft wooden gown of
crimson cashmere. Her eyes were
gray, but just now so diIated were the
pupils they appeared to be black. The
wind had rufiied her dusky hair about
her forehead. There was no color in
the piquant, frightened face
Il beg your pardon!' the man said,
and took off his hat Il fear l have
startled you. I've had quite an-an
experience and an accident. Have YOU
any objection If l go into the house?
l should like drink of water-and to
rest for little while"
Bessie Hammersly strove to speak,
but no words came to her lips. She re-
called what heS 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 grimly there and gal
loped off
And now here was a travel stained,
injured, grimy Individual confronting
her and asking aid. If only the serv-
ants had not gone in by special permits
sion to the annual fair in the nearest
town. If only her aunt had not gone
to spend the morning with a neighbour!
I'm afraid" the man said, with
smile, surprised evidently at her ST.
lence and her air of tense agitation,
that you consider me too disreputable
an Individual to admit to your homer
He glanced down deprecatingly at his
soiled and disordered attire. IF YOU
have objections he said, with what
sounded like an infection of offense, 81
shall wait here if you will be good
enough to bring me the water"
He sank down on the seat, and as he
did so groan burst from his lips. She
saw drops of sweat start out around
his handsome mouth.
"Oh, | will!' she cried compassion
ately. You are suffering. l am sorry.
Just wait a moment"
And pity was the sensation para
mount in the mind of Bessie Ham
mersly as she sped across the tawny
grass, looking like a fash of flame in
her vivid gown.
Supposing he were a bandit twenty
times over! He reminded her of Char
lie-her beloved young brother. Bran
dy. Some was always kept upstairs in
the medicine chest for emergencies.
So up the stairs she few, dashed a
quantity Of the liquor into the glass
she held and, adding water at the kitch-
en- sink, sped out again into the autumn
sunshine and across the lawn.
Here" she gasped, take this
quickp'
He was deadly rola rris boo5 ,4l
eyes closed, rested against the brown
tree trunk His handkerchief had fall
en- to the ground, and she saw that
the blood was trickling from a Jagged
cut across his temple
Without the slightest shrinking or
hesitation she leaned down and held
the glass to his lips
''You must drink this at oncep she
said, speaking loudly. "And then YOU
may go into the house if you wish.
You can go up in the attic and lie
down. No Que goes there" Her touch,
her voice, the strong odor of the liquor,
reused him. He opened his eyes, sat
erect and took the glass with a slight
bow of acknowledgment and a swift
smile
"You are very good" He drank the
mixture gratefully Almost at once
its effect was perceptible. The color
came back to his cheek He CROPPED for
his handkerchief Il shall not intrude.
1t is nothing. l shall be all right pres
emily"
But he spoke to the dancing leaves,
for Bessie had fled back to the house.
When she returned she carried a roll
of linen.
you must let me bandage your head s
she said Then. if you think you
would be safer, you may go into the
barn.
''Saferp' he repeated blankly.
yes. Sit still, please" 1t took all
her tender memories of Charlie and the
persistent thought that if he were in
trouble she would wish even strangers
to be kind to him that made her force
herself, shrinking with repulsion the
while, to wind the white material over
the jagged cut. "Therep She put a
final pin and stepped back "They will
be coming back this way, and I'm
afraid know-they will see you from
the road"
He rose and stood looking down on
her in bewiiderment.
'Who will see me?'' he asked why
should l mind?''
oh she cried suddenly and clasped |
her hands in distress, "they are COM
Ing this way now! They must have
traced you herew She pointed away to
where many figures were visible, APP
through a vast blur of dust
along the country road. 'They are
terribly angry You must go some
where at oncel You must get away
quick"
MY dear childY' he cried. "Why
should they be angry at me? What
lave l done?"
ooh, you know what you've doner'
The cried in piteous passion you've I
'obbed the bank at the county seat I
md shot the banker, and-and he shot I
1t you-and that's why you're wound |
She broke off in amazement. For,
the mounted men were |
steadily drawing nearer, this reckless
Eoung man sank again to the bench |
md burst into laughter so gay, so
unused, so ringing, that she began to
loubt his sanity. {