Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-10-10
OLIVES
OUTLAW.
BY TAYLOR WHITE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

Ane OutluW Hhu DeeH uluklnB Things
pretty lively for the guests Of the
Spouting Springs hotel ever since the
spring season had got fully under way.
AS business getter the outlaw was
u huge success. No shore resort with
an authentic sea serpent ever enjoyed
such popularity. and the stages that
met the trains from the east numbered
back over the twenty mile trail loaded
TO capacity NTH women who openly
ayowcd their timidity and men who
tried more or less successfully TO con.
ceal theirs.
Almost every afternoon the porch
was crowded 10 witness the departure
OF the sheriff and his posse. and al.
most as regularly some OF the guests
came hurrying back to the hotel to
tell how they had been held up and
stripped Of their valuables with an
expedition that rxcelled the speed Of
the man back OF the marble counter
IN the rotundn. The latter kept the
books aud each day set down op-
pOsite each account sum that would
have obtained board and lodgings for n
week IL hotel not cursed-or blessed
by bandit.
Approaching the fact that much OF
his booty was keepsakes and heir.
looms. the bandit was always ready Ia
trade back his plumber for the more
convenient specie. and ms the landlord
Insisted upon making good all losses
there were no complaints Indeed. the
guests rather enjoyed being held up.
IL gave them something to talk about
when their visit was over Many OF
the visitors by oft repeated telling so
embroidered the accounts OF their In.
dividual holdups that the tales would
have offered good material for mag.
azlnes. But 1t was not until Olive
Marchand cans that the real sensa-
ton was sprung
Until then the outlaws taciturnity
had been his most pronounced char
actcristic. but when the slip of girl
came rushing down the path from the
springs to tell how Black Pete had
not only held her up, but had de.
tained her in conversation for more
than an hour. every woman In the
hotel turned envious. The following
afternoon the banks OF the stream fed
by the springs were dotted with wo-
men waiting 10 be captured aud talked
TO that they might share Miss Mar
chand's prestige
Possibly II was for this reason that
Miss Marchand. walking down the val.
ley instead OF toward the springs, was
confronted BY 1.-THE figure above
whose square cut chin appeared u
mask OF black velvet that lent deeper
brilllance 10 II glltterlng gray eye.
lin glad to see you this afternoon, I"
was the greeting Il rather thought |
should find you here. The woods are
too crowded above. and so | came down
this way. | trust that you suffered no
III effects from the shock OF our meet.
ing Yesterday"
Il rather enjoyed It." admitted olive
frankly. Il really think that the other
women are envious."
Pete smiled at recollection OF the
goOdly company he had passed ON his
way down the trail There was no
question about II. He motioned her 10
a seat on the fallen trunk OF tree
and sat down beside her.
I The girl was an eager Questioncr. and
presently he was Keeling off stories OF
adventure with dash that brought
the glow of excitement TO Miss
Marchand's eyes. To make It still
more thrilling. there was a crashing
sound among the trees. and without a
word the outlaw swung himself W
into tall pine just as the sheriff and
his posse came tearing along
They paused long enough TO warn
the girl that Black Pete was supposed
TO be somewhere In her vicinity and
that II would be well for her TO return
TO the hotel by the trail instead OF
through the woods: then they hurried
on. aud Pete swung himself down
from his perch.
MS ~ lue easleSt experience ever
had" he declared laughingly. 'The
sheriff trusts to numbers and hard rid
ing with the result that have plenty
of time 10 disappear when | hear him
coming"
1t must be terrible TO feel that you
are hunted thing" unused Olive. with
little shudder.
That's the joyous part" declared
the outlaw. II am not hunted when
the pursuit Is in the hands OF the
sheriff. But let's forget the sheriff. ''
he added. I've told you all about my.
self Now. turn about is fair play"
1T would seem SO tame after what
you have told me-" she demurred, but
she was soon deep In her subject, and
II was not until the afternoon shadows
heightened that at last she recalled
herself and hurried up the trail toward
the hotel. where half hundred disap.
pointed women were already gathered
upon the porch.