The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-16


and the daughter Of widow, was as
sistant bookkeeper and assistant cash
Ter Of the Flint wooden mills In the
suburbs Of a certain western city It
was one Of the duties Of the cashier to
90 to the bank in the city every Satur-
day forenoon and draw,Rn amount suf-
fcient to pay the wages,of the employ
ees, and he had never met with any adj
venture in 50 doing. One was coming,
however.
There came a day when "a stranger
recognized him and tried ITO possess
himself Of the$2,500. He went over the
ground from the bank to the mills and
laid his plans, and week before the
event he felt certain that the Doodle
was his
Look here, Miss Davis,"v said the
mill manager one Saturday forenoon,
81 have word that Mr.. Samson is sick
and won't be down this morning. At 10
o'clock you will have to go,to the bank
In his place. You can 60 down on a
street car and come back In hanson"
The young lady was rather pleased
and proud over the errand, and when
the hour arrived she set out with never
thought that II was to be an eventful
day In her life. AS she boanded a car
In front Of the mill a good looking
stranger about thirty years old got In
and sat opposite her. Although she
could not say that he ever glanced at
her, she had several sly peeps at him
and was quite favorably impressed
with his appearance.
The check was promptly cashed at
the bank, and with the money in her
reticule the girl reached the door to
find an empty carriage drawn up as II
awaiting her.
"Keb, ma'omIT' querled the driver,
and next moment she was inside and
being whirled away.
Miss Davis was 30 occupied with
thoughts Of something else that she did
not notice the landmarks along the
way, When the hack suddenly stopped
she looked out and saw that she had
not arrived at the mill. Instead of that
she had arrived at a lone old house
standing alone on the block, and the
neighborhoOd was one she had never
seen before
She sprang to the ground and began
to question the driver, but he wheeled
and drove off without reply, and out
Of the house stepped the man of the
street car and raised his hat and bowed
and smiled.
Where am II What does this
meanr asked the girl.
"If you will step inside 1 will ex-
plain" replied the man.
But / shall not step inside. Why did
the carriage bring me here2 l shall not
stay a minute"
But she did. The man stepped for
ward and passed an arm around her
and carried her within in spite Of her
struggles. He seated her on a box In
bare room and smllingly said
Excuse me, please, but you were
acting bit foolish. You have asked
several questions, and / will now pro.
coed to answer them.
'You are in the suburbs. You were
brought here to be robbed. You VIII be
detained few hours and then set at
liberty. Had the cashier gone to the
bank for the money he would now have
been in your place. You will be held
blameless in this matter, and you must
see that you are also perfectly helpless.
can take the money from you. Better
take a sensible view Of things. How
much money did you drawn
about $780," she replied as she
handed over the reticule.
"Not a fortune, but fair pay for
days work. Now, then, you have got
to endure my society for an hour or
two, and I hope you win try to make
the best OF It."
The door had been locked. He raised
window, drew up another box and
continued:
Eve may as we'll be sociable as to
sit here and sulk Has the thought ever
occurred to you that you would be a
heroine some dayr
~ never expected to fall into the
hands Of q robber"
1T was foreordalned that you were
to become heroine that way. Your
story viii create a sensation. The three
daily papers will send reporters to In
terview you. They will publish your
picture. They will describe the color Of
your hair and eyes, praise your small
hands and feet, tell how cool and calm
you were in facing the robber. You
win be called one Of the most beautiful
girls In the state"
you are impudent," said the girl,
with toss Of her head.
Then forgive me. II you are not