The daily Alaskan., 1912-01-29
md lesnea aFainst the wall, out ef

mans eyes closed and he went to sleep.
 ] When he awoke again the girl was sitting beside his couch. One elbow rested on her knee to steady the aim of the pistol that was pointed directly at bis head
 "PleSSe don't move" she said quiet ly. q have orders Co shoot you if you stir"
 Sdnman stared back into her lovely dark eyes shining steadily beneath her pure white brow, above which the soft dark halr was parted to droop over little pink ears
 He saw the softly lighted back ground of the room, and from the utter stiffness oi the place he felt that be was alone with the girl In the house Something must have hap pencd Co the hcurded mau-or-Still- mans hanl moved Co grope for his vest. which had been removed. but an omlnous click stayed his hand
 May l spcaky" he asked impa tiently.
 She nodded slightly
 What have done that you should threaten meF Where Is my vestg'
 My father took your vest over to Belcher's-you probably understand the rest"
 'I understand ft less than ever. ! was on my way to Belcher's when | saw your light-it shone like Christ mas star. and so ! came for shelter, and this Is what get"
 The girl stirred uneasily. My fath CT is deputy sheriT of this county, she said. after little pause. We recognized you from the description that was sent to him. You are Andy ! Belcher." she said conclusively.
 Andy nothinGr was stillman's quick retort My name Is Sullman, and am on my way to Relcher's farm Go break the news to the old man that his boy wants to see him before be begins a Ioug sentence in 1 the pcnitcntary. and
 Andy Belcher cSCaped." said the girl quickly. suH watching him doubt fully
 "Fsrancds Then it Is since I left ] Chicago. three or four days ago cried ] SulIman. with disappointment Well. vour father can take his time satisfy l inr himself about my identity. My 5oh Is over
 There was a long silence after that, and the glr. sat there watching him ] with an uneasy light in her eyes. o. casianally she cast a swift glance to- ward the stove. where something was cooking. Sulman detected delicious olor. elusively rcmindfu of his boy ] hood
 What are you making mincemeatT ] he asked buuErilr
 'Ycs. Tcmorrows Christmas, you know"
 "I hope it Is. Hope I'm not interfer, iuc with your preparations.
 "Nnr very much. she admitted, with fricndlv little smile that made her face the most adorable Stillman had cvcr. seen. Father shot wild tur. key yesterday. and that Is ready to roast. but ! was late with the mincc pies because tho raisius didn't come . until thp evening stage
 'I shah have some sort Of Christ. mas after aH muttered Suilman 1 houefu,ry .l hope your father will remain ju doubt of my identity until after rAat nraer and mince pie have been sampled
 Thuadnc srroes the snow came the souna oF horses feet. one or two sni- mals. and they pounded 10 a stand. ! su' before the door
 The door opened presently, and two men entered. one the tal bearded ia. ther of the pretty girl and the other a short lean little man with weazened ] face pcering from the folds of a red woaIcn muG'er
 "l believe you win RUd your son here. Mr EcIchcr." said tho deputy sho~iT kindly The girl moved away, Hfinc one hand to her pretty white throat as if some unexpected emotion had suddenly agsailcd her.
 Prank BcIuher came forward, peered Into SUHmans frank. open counte- nance and shook his head. That ain't Andy. he quavrred in dissp- pointed tone. "t never see this feller before. but he looks some ike my boy. I'm ashamed to say 1t, but he looks houester."
 Then Sdllmau found an opportunity to tell bis story, and when it was con- cluded he was permitted to rise and join the party uumolested. Frank ] Belchcr refused to believe that his son had committed any great crime and Guany rode obstinately away toward his ranch. Later it was learned that ! the escaped son overlook his father that night. and together they went Co their home. provisioucd themselves and fled over the border into Canada, where they remained for many years
 This unexpected denouement to his phUanthropic eirand was the means of bringing Bert Sdllman the greatest happiness he had ever known. He sreDf y1,~3strpra vvifh the Crays. Ia,