The Ordway new era., 1908-07-24
A Consequential
hold-Up
n, CHARLES S. REID
S*+:***::.::**':*s:*':**:"*T
tcopyrlsht. by Daily Story Pub Coz

Barrymore's memory was hauntee
by the vision OF woman's race II.
had seen II but once. and this nat
been In the dining.car or n North"aSt
ern Limited train. After lunch he nae
gone In search OF the owner OF 'ha'
face. But, although he sought dlii
gently from one end OF the train u
the other. he could not find her again
and since that time 1t had been maj
ter Of much mystery to him how Ut
could have missed her.
II was near sundown. and barry
more was returning horseback from
trip over the mountain. On coming
round a certain bend in the road ht
was brought to an unexpected stand
still by the silent command OF SIX
shooter, whose muzzle had been
brought 10 a level with his head.
Your money. or your life!'
The words had familiar sound In
Parrymore's ear. He had read them
often in his dime novel days. But
the voice which now had uttered them
in reality. and In no uncertain man
ner, at a distance OF less than siI
feet, was that Of woman.
This woman WAS neatly attired and
sat her horse gracefully. But over
the lower part OF her face was
mask.
Come. quIck!" commanded the
would.be rubher 81 am a desperate
woman. and do not care TO take any
chances by allowing delays. Hand
over your valuables."
barrymore hesitated another mo
mcnt. but n suggestive movement OF.
the slender finger Of the hand that
held the weapon caused him hastily to.
bring out his purse
DO you know. / have read Of such
escapadea as this" he complained;
but must confess that this is my
first experience. hope the contents
OF this will be OF some service tc'
you"
He handed over the purse with &c
III grace and started to ride away.
Hold" The muzzle of the weapon
was thrust a few inches nearer
Your watch, please!"
We'll. must say, you are grasping
for a woman
Slipping his watch from his pocket
he placed that, also, In the pretty
hand outstretched to receive 1t.
You have a fine signet ring" sug
gested the female road agent.
please allow me to keep this.
Barrymore's tone had become one OF
earnest pleading. THE ring was
given me years ago by my mother"
Sentiment has no part in the busi.
ness upon which | am engaged. Give
me the ring. please"
And II | should refuse?"
"a bullet in your shoulder first"
And II that should fail to bring me
TO terms?"
Perhaps bullet in the other shoul.
der would serve to help your educa,
ton"
You are regular pirate"
The woman laughed. and the tone OF
her laughter was very far from being
in line with the business she pro
fessed.
Barrymore slipped the ring from his
finger and gave that, too. to the won.
an who had the drop on him.
Now dismount"
"Ha! do you know that you are
taking a pretty good risk Of being
caught when you burden yourself with
my horse?"
u shall not burden myself very far.
In fact, merely want to delay you AZ
much as possible. Dismount, will
you?"
''ro oblige you" barrymore dis
mounted
Now get on your knees and thank
me for sparing your life"
Never" Barrymore thrust his
hands into his pockets and threw back
his head.
And" he continued. "if there ia To
be any pistol play, you may as well
begin the shooting"
The woman laughed again. you
may remount your horse" she said.
When barrymore was again in the
saddle. she handed back to him his
purse and watch.
''The ring shall be returned to Won
later she declared. This farce has
been enacted merely to win wager;
and shall have to keep this ring for
short time to prove my victory"
In returning Barrymore's property
the young woman had unwlttingly re.
laxed her guard over the pistol hand /:
and. barrymore, quick to see his on.
portunity. suddenly grasped the wris,
OF his captor and wrenched the weap
on from the hand that had held 1t. A
little scream of surprise and con.
sternation escaped the lips of the
masked woman; and, lashing he,
horse, she made hasty attempt To
gallop away. But Barrymore had
caught the bride rein of her borse
and at the same time had covered the
a on