Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-09-28

bad finished their eyes met again. but
his spoke only a bold admiration before
which Rhoda's lashcs sank.
After cutting the wires the men nled
out, engaged IN mpttered colloquy.
RhOda hung herself down. her head
upon her arms. Then, at the thought OF
all that might yet be. she drew q bright
little revolver from tho drawer and
held It tremblingly. A mu1icd step and
Telegraph Bin stood before her. gianc-
ing back apprehenSively, as II & zee II
he were watched. y
The girls weapon flashed ~ainslcssly.
with a hoarse imprecatson the man
lunged to the floor, his temple striking
a broken d~rawhead, which fate, In the
person Of Job DAILY, had cast into q
corner that afternoon. Blood gusbed
from two wounds and he 10y white aud
motlonless where he had fallen.
In Rhoda's ears was a running re-
vcrberation. She thought Il WINS her
own heart till the deck lights OF a
freight whlzzed past and then she knew
why the report Of her shot had not
brought the other men bock. She
crouched In her chair. hiding her eyes
from that rigid, white faced object with
It's oozlng bl6od. The wOnted compan-
ionshlp OF the sounder was gone and
the mournful signing Of the pine trees
without seemed a ghostly requiem for
slain hope.
After many hours, she thought. there
| - ~, n ooomrfT-afa charm crx urolrlnu
the mountain echoes; then the neafer
rolling thunder Of n train. She heard
the brake shoes grind upon the wheels
and then oblivion EMBODIED her, unpene-
trated by the hubbub Of shouts and
firing which followed.
What she knew next wns that Dave
bent over her. pressing her dropping
head against tho breast Of his sooty
coat. Tho room was full Of men,
some Of them bound and gagged
Among these latter was lob, for once
moro silent than wen he enjoyed.
though he spoke no word when some
one loosed him.
A stately old gentleman emerged
from the background and. crossing
over, twltched the engineers sleeve.
The young man lifted his eyes. a ten
der, adoring light still filling them.
"Fatherg' he exclaimed. what In
the name Of AlI'-
The old gentleman smIle1 QuizzicaIly.
IL had n fancy to see how you ran
m engine, Dave. and ! got right into
II. Hey, boyT'
At that moment n commotion arose
&C.,, A. -rnCu,A a.. NhA onrna- DuNu-
ing himself on one elbow he stared
stupidity about then lifted a vlndictive
FIST and shook II Mt Rhoda.
"You young Jczobel, you." he roared
painfully, ito serve me Ike this after
I'd saved you from the gang. They'd
have slung you a through ticket IL I'd
blowed your message, and you know
II, too, you-you-buily little devil heni
l was going 10 help you make a sneak
II you hadn't plugged me, butt
a groan and q collapse ended the
sentence.
Rhodn sprang forward. remorscfully
wrlnging hor hands. Dawes gaze went
with her devouringiy.
Tho vice president looked from ono
to tho other. Then no adjusted his eye
glasses and picked up tho yellow teie-
GRIM slip which tho division superin-
tendent had Just laid down. Ho read:
Danger at n. Robbers waiting for
train No Z. Don't stop. for Gods
sake"
The Official smiled nsnin, this time a
little uncertainty. Edglng closer to his
son he laid a gentle hand upon bic
shoulder.
Lad" he said reproachfully. point
ing to the little old photograph above
the table, why didn't you tell me long
ago that she was Dave Brody's girll
Surely you knew that no was my old
buddy"
m coHo. - v.