La Junta tribune., 1907-05-04
The Limited.
sy SEWARD W. HOPKINS.
Copyright. 1907. by &. II. SutcliKe.
sy SEWARD W. HOPKINS
Copyright. 1907. by c. II. su,c'ine-


chair at the desk. his eyes staring at
the receiver as though the innocent
little piece OF mechanism had sudden
ly developed venom. His right hand
chtched n revolver. and his left work
ell convulsively around his left breast
as though he WAS feeling something In
side.
1T can't be possible." he said once.
then again: ITS lie. I know II Is.
Julie Gridon leader of a gang Of rob
bersy No. 1t must I've II hi,ieons 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 30 we'll
-Ioomis wouldn't say n word about
woman that could wrong her. And.
besides. Loomis did not know that
Prescott loved her. So the element OF
jealousy would not play u part.
But there was the message. repeated
TO make an error impossible:
Dick Prescott Cow Corners:
You will receive packax. containing
money from express me ssenger on limit
ed. Twenty thousand dollars for James
Bcal. You will be accosted by Julie Gri-
don. leader had gang. who will talk. hold
you up. Jake Grtdon coming later with
gang. LOOM1S.
1t wasn't long message. Prescott
laughed half insanely as he repeated It,
He got up and walked ncrvously To
and fro.
..Loomis wouldn't lie lie said.
".And see how true 1t has come so far.
I've got the package. Limited went
through on time. And Aow''-
He laughed again. but II was a
strange. wild laugh.
so this is the little girl who was
so nice and cordial and even affection
ate: the pretty girl | saved from
drowning only month ago; the girl
whom | was going to ask-God. Sup.
pose l had Suppose 1t was her hus-
band she. with Jake Grldon. was com
Ing to rob suppose 1t. l can't sup
pose 1t It's all a.
He stopped at his desk again and
looked down.
i've got 1t right he said. And
Loomls wouldn't lie. But how did he
learn itt 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 rnmshnckle one
horse station Ind IA 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 gang to take 1t from
him.
A sudden noise ut the window made
him jump. His revolver leaped from
his pocket.
Don't shoot me-" said n quick. nerv-
ous voice. "Dlck-Mr. Prescott. you
received n 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 rife.
You did not:''
NO" lie said. "The limited went
| But It was sent-I know II was sent.
I know It. I tell you"
NO. received no package"
For moment she looked at him
steadily. and then u peculiar smile
| dashed across her face and disappeared
iagain. with an agility for which she
was far famed she sprang in at the
window.
| "Dick Prescott" she said sterniy.
| ..your face tells a different story. You
did get that package for Mr. Beal."
"Aiiss Gridon. r.
"Stop. have misunderstood you.
and make few mistakes In men. Dick
Prescott. you have opened my eyes to
night thought you Were a mana
gentleman. You have proved me to be
| wrong"
She stood leaning on her rifle. and
her great fearless eyes looked steadily
into his.
He felt himself trembling. How was
1 he to let her know that Ioomls had
sent the news that had 80 unnamed
him? Yet he must do something. Once
more Leomis was proved correct. The
package Ind come. Then slie had come
The next would be the worst gang OF
cutthroats In Arizona. with Jake Gri'
don mt their head.
"Julie." he said. II am not well.
am going out for air"
YES" she said, "you don't look we'll
Come outside"
He started to the door.
stop where you are!''
He flashed glance back. He could
not pretend to be frightened. He was
looking into the muzzie Of her rife.
"Dick Prescott. throw up your hands
Quick! You haven't moment to
lose"
Her eye was as steady as nny mans
of the southwest Prescott WnS nc