The Delta independent., 1912-09-27
CHAPTER XII.
cIickety-cIickety.cIIcketv.

the rescuing angel, was permitted
first search, and the first thing she
hunted for was a certain gold brace
let that was none of hers. She found
| 1t and seized it with a prayer OF
own things.
Mrs. Temple gave her guilty start,
by speaking across a barrier:
Mrs. Mallory, your husband is the
bravest man on earth"
'Oh, ! know he is" Marjorie
beamed, and added with a spasm OF
conscience: but he isn't my hus.
band!"
Mrs. Temple gasped in horror. but
Marjorie dragged her close, and
poured out the whole story. while the
other passengers recovered their prop.
critics with as much joy as If they
were all new gifts found on a bush.
Meanwhile, under Mallory's guild.
ance. the porter fastened the outlaws
together back to back with the straps
of their own feed-bags. The porter
was rejoicing that his harvest OF tips
was not blighted after all.
Mallory completed his bliss, by CIV
ing him DR.. Temples brace OF guns,
and establishing him as jailer, with
a warning: Now, porter, don't take
your eye off EN-
'Lordy, l won't bat an eyelid''
If either of these lads coughs, put
a hole through both OF 'em."
The porter chuckled: MY fingers is
just a-itchin' fer them lovin' triggers"
Mallory pocketed two OF the cap
! tured revolvers, lest a need might
arise suddenly again. AS he hurried
down the aisle, he was received with
cheers. The passengers gave him an
ovation, but he only smiled timidly,
and made haste to Marjorie's side.
She regarded him with such idol
airy that he almost regretted his deed.
But this mood soon passed in her ex-
citement, and in a moment she was
surreptitiously showing him the
bracelet. He became an accessory
after the fact. and shared her guilt,
for when she groaned with a sudden
droop: She'll get it back" he grimly
answered. "Oh. no she WON'T" hoist
ed the window. and flung the bracelet
into a little pool by the side OF the
track. with farewell: Goodbye,
troubled"
AS he drew his head in. q side
glance showed him that up near the
engine a third train-robber held the
miserably weary train crew in line.
He found the conductor just about
to pull the bellrope. to proceed. The
conductor had forgotten all about the
rest of the staff. Mallory took him
aside, and told him the situation, then
turned to Marjorie, said: Excuse me
a minute Ind hurried forward. The
conductor followed Mallory through
the train Tito the baggage coach.
The first news the third outlaw had
OF the counter-revolution occurring in
the sleeping car was mysterious
1 bullet that fiicked the dust near his
heel, and sonorous shout OF Hands
up!" AS he whirled in amaze, he
saw two revolvers aimed point blank
at him from behind trunk. He
hoisted his guns without parley, and
the train crew trussed him up in short
order.
Mallory ran back to Marjorie, and
the conductor followed more slowly,
reassuring the passengers In the other
cars. and making certain that the
train was ready to move on its way.
Mallory went straight to DR.. Tenn.
pie, with burning demand:
You dear old fraud. will you marry
me?"
DR.. Temple laughed and nodded
Marjorie and Mrs. Temple had been
telling him the story OF the prolonged
elopement. and he was eager to atone
Tor his own deception, by putting an
end to their misery.
Just wait one moment" he said
and as final proof OF affection, he
unbuttoned his collar and put 1t on
backwards. Mrs. Temple brought out
the discarded bib. and he donned II
meekly. The transformation ex.
piained many mystery the old man
had enmeshed himself in.
Even at he made ready for the
ceremony, the conductor appeared
looked him over, grinned, and reach ed
for the bell-cord. with a cheerful: "AII
aboard!"
Mallory had sort OF superstitious
dread, not entirely unfounded on ex.
perience. that II the train got under
way again. 1t would run into some
new obstacle to his marriage. he
turned to the conductor:
Say. old man. Just hold the train
TIL after my wedding. won't your"
II was not much to AK in return
A..A