Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-10-10


there was an increasingly heavy price
dead or alive" as the bills OF reward
read
Pete escorted her nearly to the hotel
by short cut and not until she came
upon the hotel piazza and heard them
discussing the holdup OF that morning
did she realize again that this was the
man with whom she had been spend.
Ing the afternoon.
Then followed weeks OF indecision
Sometimes Olive would declare to her.
self that she would never see Black
Pete again. At such times she hated
herself for having given her love to
breaker OF the law. but love had been
given, and love is powerful above the
law. Her periods OF revulson were
sure 10 be followed by penitential
moods. when she was glad to pass
through the leafy aisles OF the forest
TO their tryst
the absorption Of the bandit. for days
passed when no holdup was recorded
and the attendance began TO fall off.
Olive was glad that the depredations
were less plentiful. for these were
largely responsible for her moments Of
self accusation. Finally. after one OF
his most brilliant feats. she at last de-
clded TO go where she might try to for
get that she had ever loved him.
With eyes heavy with unshed tears
she made her way 10 the little cave
where they frequently met. Here they
would say goodby. Pete had taught
her 10 move so lightly that her foot
falls scarcely were audible. and SO II
happened that she came upon two men
talking In the shadows OF a clump OF
pines without betraying her presence.
Her heart almost ceased TO beat for
moment as she realized that the two
men were Pete and Portman. the pro-
prietor OF the hotel.
You wiz have to do better than
this" PortEan was saying. You
have only pulled or two holdups this
week. II II getting too tame for the
guests"
know IT," admitted Pete. but
have been busy"
Il pay you for your time" was Port.
mans angry retort You were to give
me at least one holdup a day My
guests are disappointed II 1t doesn't
happen, and you've got to earn your
salary"
I'm tired OF the game" said Pete
shortly. 60 get some one else to he
your outlaw. I'm done"
Now. don't get hot and throw up the
job like that" urged Portman. You
know can't break in new man
right in the middle OF season. II
would take him a month TO learn the
paths. and the sheriff would catch hlr'
the first thing and spoil II all. | didn't
mean to be 80 short. I'll give you SO
more a month"
do you think that II money was an
object I'd be an outlaw for $50
month";" demanded Pete. NO You
go get some one else on the job"
Portman's face was the picture of
despair His hired outlaw had been
the making OF the hotel. II would not
be possible ut short notice 10 find any
one who could be trusted 10 rob the
guests and who had sufficient wood
craft 10 escape capture.
He was still seeking a new argu-
ment TO advance when call from the
underbrush caused both men TO start
Pete went bounding into the thicket
TO confront Olive.
,..Na IN I
ann" he cried.
And am so glad" declared the girl
Il knew In my heart that you were
worthy. Pete. can't we have a honey
moon here in the woods You can do
the holdups In the morning and I'll
help. II Will be such fun"
Pctcs eyes twinkled. IN make
Portman give me week on, . he cried,
land then we'll resume operations at
the old stand"
There will be an awful time with
father" mused the girl and Pete
laughed again.
mo trouble there" he assured. You
see, I'm really Robert Parkman. We
have some business deals ON together.
SO he knows me. I'm only playing
bandit because II promised more fun
than a mere camping out trip"
Olive gasped. She had heard OF the
eccentric millionaire. As Parkman
took her In bis arm the sheriff went
galloping past on his way TO join the
posse In its afternoon jaunt after the
outlaw.
You beat the sheriff" he declared.
with tender laugh. You have cap
tured the outlaw for llfe'
1T looks as though II were the other
way about" corrected Olive demurely
rs she glanced at the Imprisoning