Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-03-31
The Limited By SEWARD ". HOPKINS.
Copyright, la07, by c. II. Sutcliffe.

X
 Dick Prescott sat huddled in his
 chair at the desk. his eyes staring at l the receiver as though the innocent l little piece of mechanism had sudden ! ly developed venom. His right hand | clutchcd Il revolver, and his left work
 ed convulsively around his left breast as though he was feeling something in
 side.
 Tt can't be possibe.' he said once, 1 then again: "It's a lie. I know it is.
 Julie Gridon leader of a gang of rob bers? No, it must be a hdeous mis- take"
 But the words as they had come in dots and dashes to him from Bat Cross ing could neither be misunderstood nor effaced. And he knew Loomis so well -Loomis wouldn't say word about d
 woman that could wrong her. And, besides, Loomis did not know that Prescott loved her. So the element of jealousy would not play part.
 But there was the message, repeated to make an error impossible:
 Dick Prescott, Cow Corners:
 You will receive package containing money from express messenger on limit ed. Twenty thousand dollars for James Beal. You will be accosted by Julie Gri- don, leader bad gang, who will talk, hold you up. Jake Gridon coming later with gang. LOOMS.
 It wasn't a long message Prescott laughed half insanely as he repeated it.
 He got up and walked nervously to and fro.
 "Loomis wouldn't lie,' he said And see how true it has come so far. I've got the package. Limited went through on time. And now
 He laughed again, but it was strange, wild laugh.
 50 this is the little girl who was so nice and cordial and even affection ate; the pretty girl I saved from drowning only a month ago; the girl whom was going to ask-God. Sup. pose I had. Suppose it was her bus band she, with Jake Gridon, was con- ing to rob! Suppose 1t. I can't sup pose it. It's all a"-
 He stopped at his desk again and looked down.
 i've got it right he said. And Loomis wouldn't lie. But how did he learn it? How can he know?'
 His nervous walk began again. He couldn't leave His pony wasn't far away, but the eastbound express would pass soon, and then the switch must be turned for the night local. There was no one else The ramshackle one horse station had porter daytimes, but at night, when all the deviltry took place, the company did not think he needed any one.
 His brain was on fire. He had the package, and the girl he loved was coming with a gang to take it from him.
 A sudden noise at the window made him jump. His revolver leaped from his pocket.
 Don't shoot me-" said quick, nerv- ous voice. "Dick-Mr. Prescott, you received a package from the limited You
 No he said, facing the sun tanned face that looked in at the window. A glance told him she carried a rifle
 You did notY
 "No," he said. ''The limited went through without stopping
 But it was sent-I know it was sent know it. I tell you"
 No. I received no package"
 For a moment she looked at him steadily, and then a peculiar smile dashed across her face and disappeared again. With an agility for which she was far famed she sprang in at the 
 "Dick Prescott" she said sternly, your face tells a different story. You did get that package for MT. Beal''
 Miss Gridon. I'-
 Stop! I have misunderstood you, and make few mistakes in men. Dick Prescott, you have opened my eyes to- night. I thought you were a man-a gentleman. You have proved me to be 
 She stood leaning on her rife, and her great fearless eyes looked steadily Into his.
 He felt himself trembling. How was he to let her know that Loomis had sent the news that had 90 unnamed him? Yet he must do something. Once more Loomis was proved correct. The package had come. Then she had come. The next would be the worst gang of cutthroats in Arizona. with Jake Gri- don at their head.
 Julie" he said. II am not well. I am going out for air"
 "Yes," she said. you don't look we'll l Come outside"
 He started to the door.
 .Stop where you arer'
 He flashed glance back. He could l not pretend to be frightened He was looking into the muZzle of her rifle.
 "Dick Prescott. throw up yOur hands' l