The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1905-06-01

lduukefSHle1 TO Il WOunu Oil his TEN
pie, and she noticed the square of
linen was crimson. His appearance
was slngularly disheveled. His clothes
were muddy, as though he had waded
through creeks. fIis hat WAS battered.
And the hating way In which he drag
ged his leg indicated injury.
He saw young and very pretty
girl dressed IN soft woolen gown OF
crimson cashmere. Her eyes were
gray, but just now SO dilated were the
pupils they appeared TO be black The
wind had rufned her dusty hair about
her forehead. There was no color in
the piquant, frightened face.
Il beg your pardonw the man said,
and took or his hat. 81 fear | have
startled you. I've had quite an-an
experience and an accident. Have you
/ any objection If l go into tie house?
| should like drink OF wate1-and to
rest for little while"
Bessie Hammersly strove 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, mo-ntel
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 Il
cool thousand. This isn't his first ex-
plot. He's nervy ru.iian. The bank
er Is dangerously wounded = shot
through the shoulder. He thinks-in
fact, know5-he hit the robber when he
fired by tie 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 grinly there and gal
loped OF.
And now here was q travel stained,
injured. grimy individual confronting
her and asking aid. IL only the serv-
ants had not gone in by special permis-
sioa 10 the annual fair In the nearest
town. If only her aunt had not gone
to spend The morning with n neighboc,
I'm afraid the man said, with q
smile. surprised evidently at her 81
lence and her air of tense agitation.
that you consider me too dlsreputable
an individual to admit TO your home"
lie glanced down deprecatingly at his
soiled and disordered attire IF you
have obieetions," he said, with what
/ sossaded Ike an infection CT eEaase, Il
shall wait here if you will be good
enough to l,ring me the water
lie sank down on the seat, and as lie
Gid so 4 groaa burst from his lips. She
| saw drops of sweat start out around
his handsome mouth.
'Gh, l viii!' she cried compassion
ateiy. You are suffering. am sorry.
Just wait a moment"
And pity was the sensation para
mount in the mind of Bessie Ham
Eersly as she sped across the tawny
! grass, looking like flash OF fame in
her vivid gown.
Supposing he were 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 III the stairs she flew. 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 -
quick"
He was deadly pale. His head, with
eyes closed, rested against the brown
tree trunk. His handkerchief had fall
ell to the ground, and she saw that
the blood was trickling from 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 oncew 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 one goes there" Her touch
ler 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 groped for
his handkerchief. II shall not intrude.
1t IS nothing l shall be all right pres
emily"
But he spoke TO the dancing leaves,
for Bessie had fed back to the house.
When she returned che carried roll
OF linen.
You must let me bandage your head"
she said. ''Theii. IL you think you