The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29

fellow, with wavy blond hair, a good,
square chin and dark blue eyes, direct
and intelligent Of glance. He held his
handkerchief to a wound on his tenn
ple and she noticed the square or
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
dragged his leg indicated injury. -.~
He saw a young and very pretty girl
dressed in soft wooden gown of GRIM
son cashmere. Her eyes were gray,
but just now so dilated were the pupils
they appeared to be black. The wind
had ruffied her dusky hair about her
forehead There was no color in the
piquant, frightened face.
II beg your pardon!" the man said.
and took off his hat. 81 fear / have
startled you. I've had quite an-an ex-
perience, and an accident. Have you
any objection if 1 go into the house?
/ should like drink of water-and to
rest for little while
Bessie Hammersley strove to speak,
but no words came to her lips. She re-
called what her uncle had told her
few hours before when he had gone
into the house for his revolver, mount
ed his big gray horse, and had drawn
rein to explain before he Joined the
posse of determined-lcoking farmers
and townspeople at the gate.
Held up the bank at the county seat
all by himself and got away with cool
L. >1@;k
He's nervy ruffian. The banker is
dangerously wounded-shot through
the shoulder. He thinks-in fact he
krows--he hit the robber when he fired
by the blood that marked his escape
1t isn't likely he'll have got far away
before we strike his trail. And when
we do"
He had nodded grimly there and gall
loped off.
And now here was a travel stained,
injured, grimy individual confronting
her and asking aid. If only the SER
wants had not gone in by special per-
mission to the annual fair in the near
est town. If only her aunt had not gone
over to spend the morning with
neighbor.
I'm afraid" the man said with a
smile. surprised evidently, at her si-
lence and her air of intense agitation,
that you consider me too disreputable
an individual to admit to your home"
He glanced down deprecatingly at his
soiled and disordered attire. IF you
have objections, he said with what
sounded like an infection of offense,
Il shall wait here, if you will be good
! hr.tv, 1,n
He sank down on the seat, and as he
| did so a 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 moment"
And pity was the sensation para
mount in the mind of Bessie Ham
mersley as she sped across the tawny
! grass, looking like a flash of flame in
hei vivid gown.
Supposing he were bandit twenty
times over. He reminded her of
Charlie-her beloved young brother
Brandy. Some was always kept up-
stairs in the medicine chest for emer-
gencies. So up the stairs she flew.
dashed a quantity of the LIQUOR into
the glass she held, and, adding water
at the kitchen 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
len to the ground, and she saw that
the blood was trickling from a jagged
cut across his temple.
Without the slightest shrinking OF
hesitation she leaned down and held the
glass to his lips.