The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-05-09

He approached as though to permit
her to carry ont his request. but she
retreated before him.
''Not much" she declared. That
would give you a splendid chance to
overpower me. You keep your dis
lance"
But can't hold my hands over my
head all night" he pleaded. What are
you going to do with me?"
Some one will come for me If | do
not 60 home" she explained. You
won't have to wait for more than an
hour"
The intruder groaned. you don't
suppose that 1 can keep my arms in
the air that long, do you?" he demand
ed. I'D rather have you shoot"
Il will if you come any closer" she
warned. He stepped back, and for ten
minutes he looked eagerly out of the
door. Then he gave a cry, and with
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 clat-
tering to the ground. In general APP
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 a 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 glistening 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 If he attempts to
get away. I'll see if can round I'D
the others"
Depriving the bandit of his weap-
emily there was a sound of firing. then
silence. The girl and the man in the
bank stirred uneaslly. Bill was anxious
as to the fate of his accomplices, 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, n crowd
hI,pc int
her guard duty. The stranger was in
the van, bloody handkerchief wrap
ped about his left hand and a thin
stream of blood trickling down the side
of his face
I'm not hurt" he aid. with laugh,
as he saw her look of dlsmay-"tust a
scratch on the head and a ball through
the palm"
"Thc sheriff can take care of these
men," she said. Come home with me
and let me fix you up
Rapidly she closed the 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 railroad detective looking for
some car thieves and that one of the
Butte band I'D mistaken him for the
leader and had uncovered the bank plot
to him. He had seen a chance TO earn
the reward, and 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" he
explained, $50 l said nothing, though
if had had my hands in the air much
longer | should have had to speak in
| self defense"
"And | thought was earning the re-
ward" she laughed
You did" he insisted.
Not at ALL" she contradicted.
"Then half" he pleaded.
She shook her head, and it was six
weeks later before Greg Hallett's hand
healed and they effected a compromise.
Then they used the reward for the
| honeymoon.