Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-01-04

The logs burnt bravely In the
kitchen stove. and he sank down be-
fore II. holding out his hands to the
heat.
There n q candle on the table,
she said toyhim FROM the doorway.
And you wIIltnnd soihe seld bacon On
the shelves.'
He never moved. though she waited
for q reply.
"she closed the door. which was
built Of stout planking. and turned the
key.
"Ths clock stood ON the stroke OF
ten % she entered her bedroom. she
sat down In her old seat. but II was
only Q few minutes before she was on
her feet again. She heard q sharp
creak. a. II some one had tried the
front door. Her FIRST thought was OF
her husbands return; then she remem-
bered the time, and her hope went
back to the storm. For q moment she
hesitated. with her hand on the blind.
Then she pulled II aside.
"A half-clrcle OF moon was thrust
ing out through the hurrying clouds.
She could see them clearly against the
snow drifts-three men, and they wore
Grape masks. Two Of them carried q
heavy fence rail.
Presently she became aware OF q
new sound-a brisk tapping at the
kitchen door. Doubtless It was the
tramp's signal to his friends. He was
shouting. too.
WHATS the troubler he called out,
huslxily.
at In your friends she said.
my friends! I shall be pleased to
meet them he sneered. Let me out
" so that you may let them in?'
az am not At for much he contin-
ued, and indeed that was plain In the
voice Of him. The cold has gripped
me inside some way, but I'll help what
can. I don't forget that you saved
my life. Come, now, turn the key and
get It over
81 think II was his feeble voice that
decided her. Let u ever thank God.
gentlemen. for the tender mercies He
has set In the heart Of woman. wheth-
er It leads them right or wrong. This
man was sick. Therefore could he be
trusted. So her instinct argued a. she
turned the key.
He did not look very formidable
enemy-or ally. for that matter-as he
tcttered out Of the doorway. support
ing himself by hand on the wall.
His face was whittier than her own. and
he drew his breath In painful spasms.
"'Give me that revolver he said.
"She drew II from the pocket Of her
apron and handed It to him. He ex-
amined It with O melancholy smile.
"'It II loaded In the last four cham
bers only he said. DO you know that
you would have had to pull the trigger
three times to have got In the first
shot?'
81 have never had one before to-
night she explained.
where IL your money!
'She hesitated O moment, staring at
him like q frightened child. Then the
blue eyes quivered and dropped. IL
10 In my bedroom she said. submis
sively.
"'Much?'
Five thpueand dollars
He gave q lew whistle Of surprise
I'VE will occupy the proper strategi,
position. which I take to be the heai
Of the stairs. II you will give me your
arm It would DO Of assistance
"A memory from her girlhood. be.
fore she knew Of typewriting or
thought Of q lover changed to husband
came back to her-a memory Of Ten.
nyson and his knights Of King Ar
thurs court. who were ever trampint
the country to help some poor girl OF
other. The little woman had dreamed
of romance before hard work had
shaken It out Of her. And now she
dropped upon one knee beside him
laying her hand softly on his head.
"stand clear he whispered. Here
they come
There came . voice from the shad
ows.
Mrs. Sabin, It called, we don't
wish to hurt you. II you will 60 into
the kitchen and close the door. you
shall not be harmed
THE tramp held up warning finger
and she made no reply.
We'll, here goes, said the voice.
"The three sprang out into the light
but the leader checked himself at sight
Of the lamp. % though expecting G
trap, no that the second man passed
him. and came charging up the stairs,
shouting a. he ran. He was not hall
way up when the tramp fred.
1.-THE man stumbled, made an EFFORT
at recovery, and then fell heavily on
his side. AZ he did 90. the mask slip
ped from his face. showing the features
70 the watchers on the stairs.
ut was her husband, Jack sabln!'
/ 1T was . simple thing" continued
our millionaire host. ''aabln was q
gambler and worse. He did not know
where 10 turn for money. When he
was given that 5000 and lost his
train, he sat and let temptation soak
into him. What could be easier than
to rob himself He slipped on into