The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-28
THE EVENING STOR Y
Dividing the Reward.
(By Henry Stroule }


that holdups were absolutely un l.
known, and the sudden appearance OF
this brawny intruder did not suggest
a peaceful errand.
Tremblingly she made change for
the fifty dollar gold cert1hcate ne
handed her, after deliberately testing
its genuineness, and pushed the little
pile of bills toward him.
Aren't you rather young to be leII
in charge of a bank?'' he asked as ne
deposited the change in his wallet.
Il supposed that three or four men
were the usual crew; not little girl.
II am not a little GIRL, she said in
dignantly. I'm nineteen, and 1 guess
this will help me out"
This was a huge revolver, and as
she held it toward him he noticed that
it >trembled in her uncertain grasp
I'm satisfied he said with laugh.
please put it down."
81 guess there's no one going to rop
this bank even If there is only a girl
in charge" she said defiantly- ANY
how, father and the cashier will be
back from lunch shortly.
They lunch rather late mere was
the significant retort, as he glanced at
the clock. Three o'clock lunches are
rather rare in Kenton City, are they
not?"
Bertha's heart sank. So he must 5
know that her father was i'll in pea
and that the cashier. the only ouneI
official of the bank, had gone over 10
the railroad Perhaps he knew, also,
that in the vaults were the payrollsS %
the two mines which made the rlrsl
National financial possibility.
1--WE were busy this morning, sne
stammered. 81 guess pa will be Dach
Il want to see him moment" was
the o,,iet response with your per-
mission, 1 guess I'll wait"
sPerhaps," she suggested, ne may
stay home. 1 don't know. ne SCI
something this morning about want
IT, 70 Gee 10 some things about the
house." ;, a;d
I'll wait around a while" he sac. sac
with a smile. Il have plenay u he he
and the pleasant company ~
bowed courteously to Bertha. It'll,
Il can't put you out" she SAID Win
a toss of her head. .1 oon
IF I intrude, he suggested
nut myself out. -,
This was just what Bertha ola NO.
want If he was planning TO Ioo onc
vaults and was waiting until ms -
federates came up, there was cnance
+bat come one might come in befOrc
then who could help her secure MIN; 11e
answered to the description OF bule
Bill who led gang OF cuttnr esaI ,,o o.to
whose Dicture adorned handDll post-
ed on the inner side of the Wire screen.
She fastened to make pIeasant Ie ~
and presently she had forgotten III
character of her Vlsltor III tie NAi
his conversation. -
Robber he might be, but has was GER
tainly a most charming IelloW anu ii i1
Travelled far. He soon had her 50 ~
terested in his tales of back east, tnds
promised land of which she had nearo
so much and seen nothing at ali, thdt
she was sorry when at last the cIOtn
chimed four and she was Iore Sc e9
rouse herself and announce thal IL was
time to close the doors .s,.-
sI've enjoyed our little visit IMMENSE
lv.'' he said with smile. Il am sorry
that it must be interrupted. nope 10
see YOU again. May I suggest that you
he "a refllI to see that the vaults are Sc
curely locked? You see 1 near ina
there is a gang of despera6,oes IN sil ,5,,t
parts and it would be Wen not 70 Put
temptation in their way. ooo ,..,,.
Bertha glanced at the $4,000 reward
on the circular and made up her mino.
Butte must not be permitted to escape
ton on the shelf and slipped out OF inc
cage There was an opening IN the
counter near the front door, ana JUS
as she reached it, she whipped out ner
gun. ,,,,,ord
cd You didn't know it, but l hau
your picture there on a handful.
His hands had gone above ms heao az
the first command, and now he lowered
above her, still smiling. .,s
.There is some mistake he said. = Ii
you will kindly turn aside my coat you
will find a detectives star there lnat
should vouch for me-"
He approached as though to permit
her to carry out his request, but she
retreated before him.
mot much" she declared. That
would give you a splendid chance to
overpower me. You keep your dis
but I can't hold my hands over my
head all night" he pleaded. What
are YOU going to do with me %
stSome one will come for me if l do
not go home" she explained. You
won't have to wait for more than an
iOT ~ .+,dar groaned "You don't
suppose that 1 can keep my arms in
the air that long, do you? he de-
manded. I'D rather have you shoot.
II 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 cry, and with
sigh of relief Bertha turned her head
to greet the newcomer.
For an instant she gasped, Tor 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
franknesS, expression ana Senldl INES
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.
Twill you oblige me by feeling in |
my coat and taking out pair of hand |
cuffs you will find there?" he asked.
Bertha drew out the glistening |
bra celets and snapped them about the |
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 him if he attempts to |
get away. I'll see if I can round up |
the others
Depriving the bandit of his |
weapons, the stranger slipped out. |
Presently there was a sound of firing, |
then a silence. The girl and the man |
in the bank stirred uneasily. Bill was |
he fof Of n &c