The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-04
The
Highwayman
BY Mabel Chase England


Copyright, 1912. BY Associated Literary
Press.)
. yer money or yer lifel Hold Up,
LADY,"
The woman repressed a startled i'm
pulse to scream. Then ner Unborn
fearlessness. coupled with an impa-
tient contempt for the ill-Judgment
that would hope to find money on ner'
broke forth in one crisp adjuration'
"Oh, don't be an idjit!" she said.
The raised club wavered impercepu-
bly, as It's muffed owner stroye 70
shape his mind to.this unexpected Ri
ception Of his threat. Had this soil
tary female some unseen guard IN her
wake2 He glanced suspiciously along
the dark road
Il said, yer money er yer life, be
repeated, somewhat uncertainty.
We'll you kin go on sayin' all night
II it amuses you. Lemme past!
The masked figure gave one maj
look into the dark.
"Aw, stow that! he growled. None
o yer sass. old lady! You're jest the
kind wot carries wad In their stock
In Cough up now! | amt had Q
square meal IN three days"
The woman clutched tightly q small
plush bag which she carried.
Z amt got no wad, she retorted
dacisively, "but / got nice little
dineymite bomb In this here bag that'I
blow you where you won't want meals
for some time. You'll be too much oc
tcupied kepin' cool"
As she raised the bag threateningly
the man drew back. The arm holding
the club fell to his side.
Go on won't touch you" ht
grumbled sulkily. you amt got nc
dineymite, but darned II ! don't ad
mire yer pluck. You mind me Or
He watched her as she stalked Of
into the dark, strange half-forgotteI
memories stirring within him. Sud
denly a grin widened his mouth.
"By Jingoes! She's comm back
What's eatin' herr"
The woman approached with decis
ion.
you got me nervous now" she ad
mitted grudgingly, though ! aim
afraid Of you. somehow. But II you'r'
dyin' to make use of that there sticl
Of yours you can come along to pro
tect me. There's a bad place up tn
road bit"
"Surel" His heart warmed unaC
countably at this evidence Of femin
unity In the valiant female. It was
long time since he had been called o.
for projection, or help In any form
Internationally he squared his shoul
ders, threw back his head, as b
stepped briskly out beside her.
"I'll give you good square mea
when we git home, = she promised hin
Hungry as he honestly was, the 0.
fer. with its hint OF reward, IN som
subtle way offended him,
"You needn't mind. kind g
along" he answered loftily.
She glanced at him curiously.
"EIow long have you been dom
this9"
'Whatf"
why. this here highway rObbeH
business"
That's tellin'." he grinned.,
Il imagine you're new at It. sh
persisted.
"Why9" Indignantly.
"Oh, you're sort Of kind an mic
You amt no hardened criminal" 81
vouchsafed, the vile. Of the eternI
feminine unconquerable even in tn
uncertain situation.
The man felt an added warmth pc
meate his entire being. A sudden d
sire to stand well with this fearles
yet distinctly appealing individu
surged up within him.
Suddenly she started. SSH What
that?"
They had reached the bad part,
place where the road wound through
dense growth Of forest, thick with U
derbrusb and dark with an appalliI
darkness. Again came the cracklir
as Of a heavy body pushing throui
the brush. she clutched his arm nel
ously.
Don't be skeered," he reassur
her. @It's nothin' but some amin
prowlin'." He put his hand prote
lngly over hers. It felt appealing
small ID bis powerful grasp. A ru
IL memories swept over him. rend,
ing him suddenly solicitous for t
woman at his side.
what are you doin' Of. anyw,
alone IN the pitch dark on q road Il
thisf" be Queried.
II haven't met nothin' worse th
you. 20 far"
He coughed. suddenly ahashed.
That's So"
can wish you'd take on that crl
mask It makes me feel like a &c
plice waIkin' along With III" She dr.