Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-12-24

| TIE IHhl1LlNG HULK.
The point where the girl had stopped
marked small oasis amid the wilder
ness of sandhils Suddenly she straight
ened herself and there rang out in a
high, clear treble, the call that is fami-
lar throughout the length and breadth
Of Australia
"Coo-ee Coo-ee!" Pretty Jean Bres
sington was beginning to feel little des-
perate. "Coo-ee!'
Was you a-callin' me, missy?" said
harsh voice suddenly at her elbow
The girl turned with start. Not
three yards away stood tatterdema-
lion 'sundowner" a hopelessly ragged
tramp, ferocious in matted hair and
beard, leering at her from beneath the
rim Of his shapeIess hat
Call again, my pretty" he grinned,
as Jean faced round. ! like to hear We,
an it does no harm. There won't no.
body come. Got it all 10 ourselves nice
ly amt we?"
Go away!' cried the girl, her eyes
flashing BE careful, my friends may
be here at any moment"
I've been trackin' We this mile" went
on the ruffian. and when you started
bawlin' thinks | to myself chance for
me. Yer wants 'elp? Well Pm going to
'elp yer, and myself too. See?''
I've given you warning" said Jean,
speaking as calmly as she could "a
step nearer, and She made a motion
as if seeking her revolver.
But the fellow laughed outright
You wouldn't scare rabbit" he
said. Il amt goin' to hurt We, but if We
start any rumpusin', why, then
He made sudden dive, seized her
arm, and caught at the gold chain round
her neck. The next instant the girl was
conscious of acting in a desperate strug-
gle, and with only one prayer in her
mind-that she might not lose her foot
ing
Then, all at once the tramp let go and
sprang back, throwing up his arms.
Don't shoot. mattel" he said hoarsey.
Il won't shoot. for the lady's sake"
said a mans voice. Clear out, or I'll
drop you yet. like the varmint You are!"
When Jean could see with sufficient
clearness she made out the form of
big, broad shouldered man. who had
stepped out from the elump of trees,
and now held the tramp in range with
his revolver. The rescucr lowered his re-
volver and came slowly towards the girl.
That sort needs shootin' on sight"
he said. you're not hurt, are you,
missy ?"
"Hurt-oh. no." Jean dried her eyes,
and looked up cheerily. Pm not hurt
bit-thanks TO YOU, I'm so very CRATE
full. | wonder-would you keep this
ask your own daughter to wear it, as a
token OF what you once did for me ?"
The man stood silent. looking down at
the slender thread of gold, with the little
locket attached.
My little girl and | are parted,
missy he said gently. "She don't know
much about her father. and | wouldn't
have it different You're from the old
country | guess. That's where she is
now, growing up sweet and good and
innocent bless her!"
You'll 60 back to your daughter some
day" she said gently, "or she'll come to
You. Won't you keep the chain?"
NO need missy ! shan't need re-
minding that, for once in way. was
. able to do somebody bit of GOOD.
, Where is it You want 10 get TO- missy
t the town.
Yes said Jean. "lf YOU could nut
me on the right road
IT'S that right road rs I'm not mar
ticularly eager for" he said. "Still-~v
He stepped little way from her into
the open, and scanned the wide horizon
under his hand lie stopped and seemed
to listen
Ali" he said suddenly, with a change
of tone
Jean gazed round them, startled All
: She could see was flight of bir,is-par-
/ that had risen screaming from
clump of trees in the distance.
You see that mlssy2' questioned the
man, turning to her
These birds! Something startled
them!" Jean replied
Aye, something startled them" And
, the man set his teeth The patrol |
reckon! Half a dozen Of en- mountedl
Stay where YOU are. missy. the men1l
take you home. They're troopers ont
after Jack Bolderson, bushranger, and
Jack Boldersou Is me. missvl"
tie made dash past the startled rirl
to clear the bush and reach his horse
The next instant there was the sbarp
clean smack of cordite through the stiI
air. Jean ran desperately in the track
of the bushrangcr He had rushed back
into cover, aud as she came up he STUN
bled and fell forward helplesslv.
The girl knew no terror now. She ran
to him. and gave him all her Young Wig
orous support
They've winged met" he casped
got me this time fart" lie was on
his feet, but one foot dragged after him.
manned and useless.
They haven't got you vet said the
girl, very white. he= eyes cleaning. She