The Democratic advocate., 1908-09-04

breaker Of the law, but love had been
given, and love is powerful above the
law. Her periods Of revulsion were
sure to be followed by penftentia
moods, when she was glad to pass
through the leafy aisles of the forest
to their tryst.
The guests of the hotel proited by
the absorption Of the bandit, for days
passed when no hOIdup was recorded
and the attendance began to fall off.
Olive was glad that the depredatfons
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.
cided. 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 to the little cave
where they frequently met. Here they
would say goodby. Pete had taught
her to move So lightly that her foot.
falls scarcely We're audible, and so II
happened that she came upon two men
talking in the shadows of cIump of
pines without betrayfng her presence.
Her heart almosts ceased to beat for
a moment as she realized that the two
men We're Pete and Portman. the pro
prtetor Of the hotel.
"You Will have to do better than
this" Portman was saying. "You
have only pulled off two holdups this
week. 1t is getting too tame for the
guests"
know it." admitted Pete, 'sbut 1
have been busy"
Il pay you for your t1me," was Port
mans angry retort. "You were to give
me at least one hoidup a day. My
guests are disappointed if it doesn't
happen, and you've got to earn your
salary"
"Tm tired Of the game,'' said Pete
shortly. eco get some one else to be
your outlaw. I'm done"
'sNow, don't get hot and throw up the
job like that" urged Portman. sYou
know I can't break in a new man
right in the middle of a season. It
would take him q month to learn the
paths, and the sheriff would catch him
the first thing and spoil it all. didn't
mean to be SO short. I'll give you $40
more a month"
"Do you think that if money was an
object I'd be an outlaw for $50 a
month";" demanded Pete. "No. You
go get some one else on the job"
Portman's face was the picture Of
IIiS hyrod o11kluxy nod hc-o1,
the making Of the hotel It would not
be possible at short notice to find any
one who could be trusted to rob the
guests and who bad sufficient wood
craft to 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.
$50 you've found out what farce
am?' he cried.
"And am so glad" declared the girl.
II knew in my heart that you were
worthy. Pete, can't we have honey
moon here in the wuods2 You can do
the holdups in the morning, and I'll
help. 1t Will be such fun"
Pete's eyes twtnkied. "I'll make
Portman give me week off," he cried,
"and then We'll resume operations at
the old stand"
'SThere will be ON 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 IT promised more fun
than a mere camping out trip"
Olive gasped. She had beard of the
eccentric millionaire AS Parkman
took her in his arm the sheriff went
galloping past on hts 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 lffe."
"It looks as though it We're the other
way about" corrected Olive demurely
as she glanced at the imprisoning
arms. 'tMy outlaw has captured me. "