The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-11

he first command. ana now be tower
ID above her. sim smiling.
There Is some mistake.e he said. III
ron VIM kindly turn aside my coat you
will lind a detective's star there that
should vouch for me-"
de approached as though to permit
her to carry out his request, but she
lreueated before him.
"Not much" she declared. AsThat
would give you a splendid chance TO
overpower me. You keep your dis.
lance"
But I can't hold my hands over my
sead all night. be pleaded, What are
sou going TO do with met"
Some one will come for me if / do
not go home" she explained. @You
won't have to wait for more than an
hour"
The intruder groaned "You don't
suppose that can keep my arms in
the air that long, do your be demand
ed. I'D rather have you shoot"
Il viii II you come any Closer" she
warned. He stepped back, and for ten
minutes he looked eagerly out Of the
door. Then he give cry, and with a
Sigh of relief Bertha turned her head
to greet the newcomer.
For an instant she gasped, for the
newcomers arms went above his head
promptly, and his revolver went olaf
tering TO the ground. In general an.
pearance he was the double of her first
visitor, though he lacked the frank
ness. expression and genial lines about
the eyes.
His action reminded her OF her cap
tive, and she turned To her surprise
he had whipped out revolver and had
the other covered.
"Will you oblige me by feeling In my
coat and taking out pair of handouts
you will find there?" he asked.
Bertha drew out the gllstening brace.
lets and snapped them about the new
comer's wrists. Then the other man
came forward, and with the heavy
leather belt he wore about his waist
he fastened his victims feet.
"This is Butte Bill" he explained as
he dragged his captive to chair.
There are probably two others of the
gang waiting outside. You stand over
him and shoot INN II he attempts to
get away. I'm see IL can round up
the Others"
Deprlying the bandit OF his weap-
ons, the stranger slipped out. Pres.
entity there was sound of firing, then
a silence. The girl and the man In the
bank stirred uneasfly. Bill was anxious
as to the fate of his accompllces, and
Bertha felt an unaccountable strong
interest in the welfare OF the stranger.
The minutes that sped by seemed like
hours until, with a whoop, crowd
burst into the bank and relieved her Of
her guard duty. The stranger was in
the van. bloody handkerchief wrap
ped about his left hand and thin
stream Of blood tricklIng down the side
of his face
I'm not hurt he aid. with a laugh,
as he saw her look of dlsmay-'1ust n
scratch on the head and n ball through
the PALM
THE sheriff can take care of these
men," she said. Come home with me
and let me fix you up"
Rapidly she closed tile vaults and led
him down the street to the little home
where her first aid TO the injured had
more than once gained her the title OF
'the little doctor"
Over the bandaging he told her that
he was a railroad detective looking for
some car thieves and that one of the
Butte band had mistaken him for the
leader'and had uncovered the bank plot
to him. lie had seen chance TO earn
the reward, aud so he had sought an
excuse for lingering around the bank
until the desperate had put in an ap.
pearance. -.
Il did not want to alarm you.D he
explained. so said nothing, though
Il l had had my hands in the air much
longer | should have had to speak in
self defense"
and thought 1 was earning the re.
ward" she laughed.
''You did" he insisted.
Not ut ALL" she contradlcted.
Then half" he pleaded.
She shook her head, and 1t was SIX
weeks later before Greg Hallett's hand
healed and they effected a compromise
Then they used the reward for the
honeymoon.