The San Francisco call., 1905-01-04

Now throw those guns into the road. "
What is this?' he asked laughingly;
"a hold-up?"
You ought to know" she said terse-
ly, you started it. Drop those guns
quick"
! said easily. You don't have to play
the game like that. Those guns of mine
are only loaded with blanks
| The girl laughed scornfully.
| But you dropped those poor men out
of the saddle she said meaningly.
You throw those guns down or I'll fill
! you full Of buckshot.'
| With a laugh he tossed the pistols
into the road. The girl rode up and
with the rope at.her saddle bow bound
his hands together, bringing the arms
down. Then, dismounting, she utilized
the rest of the rope to bind his feet to-
gether under the horses body. :
Look here" said Phillips, uneasily.
What Is this?"
1T means the games up she an
swered. Il saw your description in the
county papers two weeks ago. There's
a reward of $4,000 UP for you
Whom do you mistake me for?" he
asked anxiously. There is no reward
offered for me, and if you think to hold
me for ransom you make a grievous err
ror.'
There's no mistake she said short
ly Il saw the report of your hold-up
six weeks ago. Then came the offer of
reward and your description, and now
/ just saw you tumble three deputies
into the road. l watched a chance to
get in behind you. What did you stop
so suddenly for?"
II was going back" he explained
I'm the head of a motion picture ex-
pedition. We are down here taking a
cnrin xain
paymaster's train by Butte Bill last
week. l was playing the desperate,
escaping from the posse sent to capture
him. AS soon as l was out of range
started to go back to the party and
found you.'
Quite surprise, wasn't it?'
1T was" he admitted frankly, "but
It's something that can be easily ex-
planned. If you will just lead me back
to the party it will all turn out right"
With scorn playing about a decidedly
pretty mouth, she remounted her own
horse and catching the bride of his
turned the horses heads down the road.
Phillips tried to argue, but to all en-
treaties she was deaf, and finally he
kept silence and let her lead him along
the dusty trail, cursing the fate that
had led him beyond sight of his CO.
workers.
An hour passed before the trail led
them from the foothills out upon the
prairie, and every foot of the way was
agony to Phillips, whose bonds cut with
every motion of the horse.
Would you mind loosening these
ropes a little?" he asked finally. "You
see. we city men are not as used to the
saddle as you are out here"
The girl looked back coldly. 'I guess
you can stand 1t for a WHILE" she said
shortly. I'm not going to take chances
with you. You're no city man.
If you will feel in my coat pocket"
he urged. you will find papers that
will prove my Identity"
He spoke so earnestly that. haIf-con-
WINGED, she let her horse drop back and
slipped her hand first into the outside
then into the inside pockets. There was
not shred of paper.
What are you up to?'' she asked
sharply. did you think you could
reach my gun?'
IT had forgotten" he said shame
every scrap of paper is in my other
clothes..''
1t will be long time before you
see those" she retorted grimly. ssun-
less you peach and tell where the gang
holds OUT
THE Star Theater, Chicago. is
where my gang holds out" he laugh
O0s IL yOd CNCI COiIIc 10 CHlCaEO il
should be pleased to extend to you all
the courtesies of the house-free
tickets, YOU know
Better wait until you get there.
she cautioned. IF the boys get at YOU
before the Sheriff does" she felt the
sentence unfinished. but there was no
need of explanation.
Where are we headed for ?' he
asked after a silence, more to break
the solitude than anything else.
TO the shack first, for dinner" she
answered, "then fresh horses and by
the long route to Tulpas City"
why not the shorter way?" he
pleaded.
And maybe run into your gangi
No, sir" she retorted with emphasis.
I've worked like slave for NV little
homestead. Sister and I have a quar-
ter section each and we live together
where the two tracts join We need
some money to get irrigation. and I'm
not going to take any risks of losing
YOU"
After that Phillips was silent, until
they came In sight of a small shack
in the doorway of which stood a blue
clad figure. This he found was the
sister, and after he had dismounted
with a pistol inconveniently near his
earl she 1t was who led the horses to
the stable while the other took him
inside and tied his legs to chair.
They would not unite his hands