Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-05
Rob ArCh6r'S Trials

friends worked, and one other team, so that
half the crews were absent.
Ali day Christmas it showed, not heavily,
but with that calm, steady downfall that be-
tokens protrated storm.
In the afternoon Mr.. Stoddard drove up to
the camp with single team. He had been
at home a number of days and returned UNI
expectedly. Rob Archer was in the camp
yard chopping wood, the teams lying idle that
day.
Mr.. Stoddard called to the boy, after he
had put his horse in one of the novels, and
they stepped into the vacant place between
the two stables, which was rooted over and
called ebay she'd"
Here, Rob-" said Mr.. Stoddard, 1--WE
brought in quite pile of money-most five
hundred dollars-to pay for hay am oats with.
Oats is goin' to raise, an Jake Smith has got
six hundred bushe an lot O. hay. Put this
money in the waggin-chist, an don't let no
one know you've got it"
He spoke in a low tone, and gave the boy
package of bank notes.
Keep your eye on EN-" he admonished, as
Rob turned away.
Little did Mr.. Stoddard know that the evil
eyes of Black Bill McGregor were glaring upon
them from creyice in the wall of the log
howell opposite the one where Mr.. Stoddard's
horse was standing.
He had heard every word uttered and his
swarthy face wore look of savage greed as
ne WdJCueu Due boy disappear WlJHn Jue camp
door, followed shortly after by the employer.
Five hundred dollars!" he muttered, re-
volving the matter in his mind. THAT would
set me up in the world, an old Stoddards
got lots more"
Rob Archer put the money carefully into
the camp chest, locked it, and placed the key
in his pocket. All the rest of the afternoon
and through the evening he felt the weight OF
the great responsibility that rested upon him.
He was uneasy. and watchfnl though he
aI,o o1f .u;f he 4bo,1ohf that ona
was aware of the treasure conhded TO his
care He had no heart to join in the gay
banter of the evening, and long after the rest
of the crew retired he sat upon the deacon
seat wrapped in deep thought.
The world looked differently to him now
from what it did six weeks before. He was
now quite hardy and strong; he had never
been so robust in his life, and he looked for
ward with conscious pride to the time when
he should return home,
It was eleven o'clock when he lay down in
his bunk. Those sleeping nearest him had
gone out of the woods, and the camp seemed
almost deserted. He soon dropped asleep; but
his slumber was light, and he was presently
awakened by a strange cracking sound and a
smell of smoke. l.
He opened his eyes and stared about him
| The camp was on firel The partition or wall
between the old camp and the new part was
all ablaze.
he was speechless. The money in the camp
chest would be destroyed, and he was respond
sibe
Without an instant's hesitation he sprang
through the doorway, which was almost an
arch Of fire. As he did so he caught his foot
against some obstruction and fell to the floor.
As he scrambled to his feet again he heard
some one close the lid of the chest, but the
darkness and smoke rendered it impossible for
him to distinguish who it was.
He clutched at and succeeded in grasping the
intruder But what awaited the boys puny
strength? He was dashed aside, stunned and
breathless, and when he regained his scattered
senses he was alone in the furnace-like room,
with the flames creeping toward him.
Making his way to the camp-chest, he
found it locked. He took the key from his
pocket unlocked and opened it. He hurriedly
took out the camp and log-books, and felt for
the money in the box where he had placed it.
The box was empty The money was
gone!
Ito be continued)