Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-12-01
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The JetCetey tOetgled the dust Nth a dis
t1>Lsttul troUn.
hydraulic company had been robbed
again. Some two months previously
there had occurred series of depre-
dations by which the company had
suffered. The boxes were not swept
Of their golden harvest each day. and
in spite of all precautions coarse gold
had disappeared mysteriously from
the rifles, this. although armed men
had watched all night There had
been much guess work The cabin on
the hillside was the nearest habitation
the company's fume disgorged its
food in the gulch beneath it-and sus-
picion had eventually pointed Its way.
The sudden ceasing of the robberies
with the disappearance Of Hugh Stires
had given focus to this suspicion
Now, almost coincident with his re.
turn. the thievery had recommended.
1t had been red letter day for Dew
lin and his ilk. who caviled at the
more charitable. or all this, however.
the object of their II told you so''
was serenely ignorant.
Entering the town. there were few
stirring on the sunny streets. but he
could not but be aware that those he
met stopped to gaze after him. Some
indeed followed His first objective
point was jewelers., where he could
turn his gold dust into reader coin
for needful purchases. He saw a
sign next the Mountain Valley House
and entered
| The jeweler weighed the dust, with
distrustful frown. but Harry's head
was turned away. He was reading
freshly printed placard tackled on the
wall. an offer Of reward for the detec-
ton Of the sluice thief He read it
through mechanically, for as he read
there came from the street outside a
sound that touched muffled chord in
bis brain. 1t was the exhaust of a
motor car.
He thrust the money the goldsmith
grudgingy handed him into his pocket
and turned to the door. A long red
automobile had stopped at the curb.
Two men whom 1t carried were just
entering the hotel Something In the
sight of the long. low racer" reminded
Harry-of what? His eye traced its
polished lines. noting its cunning mech
anism. Its build for silent speed. with
the eager lighting Of a connoisseur. He
took step toward 1t. oblivious to all
about him
He did not note that men were gath
ering, that the nearest saloon was
emptying of Its occupants. Nor did he
see girl on horseback, with tiny
child before her on the saddle. who
refined up sharply opposite.
The rider was Jessica, the child an
ecstatic hveyear-old she had picked up
on the fringe of the town to canter in
with her hands gripping the pommel OF
the saddle She saw Harry's position
instantly and guessed it perilous. What
did the men mean to do? She leaned
forward. a swift apprehension in bel
face.
Harry came back suddenly to real
ization of his surroundings. He looked
about him. startled. his cheek darken
ing its red. every muscle instinctively
tightening. He saw danger in the low
srtng faces, and the old lust Of daring
leaped up instantly to grapple with the
rejuvenated character.
Deylin's voice came over the head:
Of the crowd as, burly and shirt sleeved
he strobe across the street.
Hand over the dust you've stoleI
before you are tarred and feathered
Hugh Stires!"
Harry looked at him. surprised. hi
mind instantly recurring to the placar'
he had seen. Here was tangible &C
cusation.
4 II have stolen nothing" he respond
| ed quietly
Where did he get what be just sol'
meT The jewelers. sour query ros
behind him from the doorway.
We'll find that out" was the roug
rejoinder.
In face Of his threatening peril Jes
sica forgot all else the FESTIVE horse
the child. She sprang to the groune
her face panied and indignant, an
started to run across the street. Blu
with cry of dismay. she turned bacl
The horse had caught sight of the re
] automobile and, snorting and vii
: eyed. had swung into the roadway.