The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-16
SERENA'S HAND.
BY LORENA NJ. PAGE.

BY LORENA M. PAGE. (Copyright, 1906, by Daily Story Puo-
 fishing Co.)
 TO all the men of the gang, save one Don Vincent, their leader, was away on his wedding journey.
 Barney Crispin was the one man Wno knew what the chiefs errand really was. for he was with him from start to finish when 1t all happened.
 Today as Barney rode with the escort from Farsight, with supplies for the Cock pit in -the-crags, he was think ing of the morning months since, when the boss had first seen Serena Green behind the bar in the main saloon in the town far behind. The keeper of the place had said that she reached there the day before and asked for something to do; when he found that she had a handiness for mixing drinks and dealing them out, that few men possessed, he had engaged her.
 Serena Green was what most men would have called good locker but from the first Barney had not liked the blond hue of her hair, the green tint of her eyes, nor the red and white on her face When Don Vincent had gone over to Farsieht six days out of seven-the day missed being between the first two-and had taken her home with him on the seventh, he had known that no good would come of thor had there.
 Barney raised his hand to touch the vivid slash upon his cheek stil pain full at times. as a memento of the wind up of the affair.
 When Barney and his companions reached their destination with the sup plies. a crowd of men surrounded them.
 "Got any word from the chief?" was the first question.
 Barney shook his head.
 "Rarney. who wAs it that tied the knot for the boss?'' asked the preacher who had fled with funds from the East and landed in the ''Cock-pit-in-the- craRs" out West The three of you were missing when we woke up that morning-isnt It about tune to tell the straight of thingsP"
 ..you,I have to wait till the chief shows up. or till I hear that he has oh. you'll know about it sometime Barney stammered.
 The minister was looking over the newspaper that had come with the bundle of Navy Plug" He was a good reader and often stayed the flow of reminiscent conversation to give the boys an extract which he thought might prove entertaining. Before the final 1nterruptloH, JHe Hlei were discussing the daring work wher the Great Northern express was helt up in one of the most remarkable rob berries on record
 Listen to this,' commanded the one time preacher suddenly. Now here i' something new in our line: l Bombay, July 30.-A remarkable incident of railway travelling in 1ndiS l is reported by The Indian Daily News
 An American woman was reclin 1 ing in flrst-class compartment of train near Sitkwin. with one arm hang | ing out of the window. when maj passed along the footboard of the ca and cut the limb clean off, apparentl! with a sharp sword. The lost hant l was covered with rings and bangles, s' that robbery was evidently the motiv of the outrage.
 The man who perpetrated tn crime wore a dark mustache and had scar upon his chin. He was eXtremel | tall. dressed in gray and his face Wa shaded by a wide soft hat of the sam color. To all appearances he was O the woman's nationality.
 '" He escaped and is still at large
 Lust such fellow as the boss, look and all. and he had his familiar way o l taking things that he felt 1t his dut i to own" someone concluded. ! Barney Crispin's eyes were ablaz with excitement; his hand was strok ing the wound upon his cheek.
 Say. just read that again-slow' he demanded
 His request was compiled with.
 'so he's kept his word" he remark