The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-01-24

mans hand. Then he entered, bolted
the house door. and came back to the
room.
To McAllster's inquiry as TO the
whereabouts Of the stranger. Barton
returned the curt answer:
Gone north"
They played euchre McAlister
grinned as hand after hand favored
him. Presently he said. brightly:
How much money did you spend
just now?"
"Lcss than a thousand.
"You may have TO lay out some
thing yet. Here" bringing a roll
from a pocket, ARE notes for couple
Of hundred Help yourself
"I always do. But keep your
money, please. until ! ask for it.
Take some tea and 20 to sleep: IS
what / intend doing"
Barton placed two-thirds OF the
available coverings over his room
mate, then wrapped himself In a
single blanket, and for pillow used
an arm.
I With the coming OF daylight, he
rose and walked out. When he re-
| turned, his companion had awakened.
! The latter, after a civil "Good-morn-
ing" asked how the road was.
Under three feet OF snow"
The Judge broke out almost
I Gercely:
II must get to Waiopoi to-day. The
Dunedin mail will be passing through
at this evening"
"Do you know the road?" askci
Barton.
"Not a step OF the way; but you
can act as guide. | will give you
hundred pounds TO be put on the
| train for Dunedin. But the sessions
alone are not drawing me-" protested
/ the Judge. lie went on: II had a
telegram yesterday saying that my
! little girl"-hls voice broke-"is dan
gerously ill.,
Barton folded his arms and looked
ont ON the sea OF snow. He turned
and said, quietly:
You shall go. 7 will take you.
Now let us have breakfast"
When the meal was over, the
Samaritan put on his hat. lie
rampcd over 10 tho store, and re-
turned with a borrowed horse. With
i'm a few minutes the men were
mounted. Barton led the way. He
was gloomy and silent. Once or
twice McAlister tried to draw his
companion into conversation, but
failed. This irritated the Judge and
looking about for something to suarl
at, he exclaimed:
What on earth IS that bulging the
pocket OF your Jacket"
Barton withdrew revolver.
Is it loaded?" asked the judge.
81 don't carry it for show"
"What do you carry it for?'
"Self-protection."
A puzzled look came into the
Judges eyes. Then he turned. half
iercely. upon the other with the
question:
who are you?"
Excuse mel am travelling in
cog"
4 grave expression was on the
Judges face. Barton seemed to read
its meaning, for without another
word he flung the frearm into
snowdrift.
There was brief silence. broken
by Barton's voice, exclaiming:
Steady there! We are close upon
small bridge without "A parapet.
Your horse is slipping. Get off. you
fool"
McAlster, realizing the danger.
slid from the saddle. Fortunately,
he alighted on his uninjured foot,
and the soft snow saved him from
anything worse than n shaking. The
mare, foundering downward in the
huge snowdrift. was beyond help.
Barton shifted the saddle back
ward. then having assisted his COM
panion into il, mounted before him.
lt was twenty-five minutes to
when McAlister, leaning on the
Samaritan's arm, limped into the
| Waiopoi station. During the few
| minutes passed I'm obtaining some re-
freshment from the station master.
the judges companion was stern os
face and silent.
McAlister more than once cast
keen glance at him, and more than
once also did this terror of criminals
| brush his hands across his eyes
When the train steamed into the sta
tion the judge rose; he had arranged
to have compartment 10 himself.
Il am going" he said TO his late
rescuer. "Wil you?"
lie was about TO ask again for the
others name, but at this moment two
men who had entered the waiting
room exchanged hurried whispers.
The Judge. looking up. recognized
two of the colony's most noted de-
tectives. Coolly and masterfully,
Judge McAlister turned upon them.
Have you heard the news about
Barton, the cattle stealer?"
The men glanced at the Judges