Smyrna times., 1905-07-12
RESSIE'S
0 BANDIT
BY KATE NJ. CLEARY
Copyright, 1905, by Kate NJ. Cleary
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"Oh good graciousr' cried Bessie.
She had jumped up from her seat un.
der the great oak, her eyes large and
dark with terror. This must be he
now coming up the avenue! And no
one at home but mer'
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
from the gate. No, she could not reach
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 a 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 halting way in which he drag
ged his leg indicated injury.
He saw a 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 ruttied 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 1 go into the house
should like drink of watey-and to
rest fer 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, 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-
ploit. He's nervy ruffian. The bank
er is dangerously wounded - shot
through the shoulder. He thinks-in
fact, knows-he hit the robber when be
fred 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 permis
sion to the annual fair in the neares
town! If only her aunt had not gone
to spend the morning with a neighbor!
I'm afraid" the man said, with {
smile, surprised evidently at her 81
lence and her air of tense agitation
that you consider me too disreputabl'
an individual to admit to your homer
He glanced down deprecatingly at hi
sOiled and disordered attire. IF yol
have objections" he said, with wha
sounded like an infection of offense, g
shall wait here IL you will be goo,
enough to bring me the water"
He sank down on the seat, and as b
did so a groan burst from his lips. Sh
saw drops of sweat start out aroun'
his handsome mouth.
"Oh, l will!' she cried compassion
ately. You are suffering. am sorry
Just wait moment"
And pity was the sensation para
mount in the mind Of Bessie Han
mersly as she sped across the tawn
grass, looking like flash Of flame !
her vivid gown.
Supposing he were bandit twent
times over! He reminded her of Cha
he-her beloved young brother. BraI
dy. Some was always kept upstairs
Il the medicine chest for emergencie
z 30 up the stairs she flew, dashed
U quantity Of the liquor into the glas
n she held and, adding water at the kitcl
n en- sink, sped out again into the autum
n sunshine and across the lawn.
Y Here" she gasped, "take this
a Qulckw
n He was deadly pale. His head, wit
u eyes closed, rested against the brow
n Tree trunk. His handkerchief had IA
n en- to the ground, and she saw thi
n the blood was trickling from jagg'
h cut across his temple.
N Without the slightest shrinking
n hesitation she leaned down and he
n he glass to his lips.
n You must drink this at oncep' 81
y said, speaking loudly. "And then y
n may go into the house If you wis
n lou can go up in the attic and
uown. No one goes there" Her touC
n her voice, the strong odor Of the Hqu'
n reused him. He opened his eyes, s
erect and took the glass with a slig
DOW of aoknoxrIad ornonf and a qW