Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1914-12-31

am sure they would be glad to have
you come"
And Maurice went He could not re-
sist the privilege and pleasure OF be-
Ing in the company of Winnie. That
evening amazed and enlightened him.
The homely folk fairly idolized the
popular young school teacher. Winnie
sang and recited for them. Then there
was dance. II was as Maurice led
Winnie to seat after a waltz that she
indicated a dark-featured young man
who had sat grim and silent all the
evening watching those present, espe-
cially Winnie and Maurice
Il wonder who that young man is ?"
She spoke. He passed me on the
street with an embarrassing stare yes
terday and this morning l noticed him
walking by the schoolhouse several
times"
Il will try to find out for YOU" vol
unteered Maurice, and made some In
quiries. The young man had dlsap-
peared by 10 time he had returned to
Winnie. It was with somewhat start
ling information.
The young man, Maurice ascertained.
was the son of Black Burt. notorious
outlaw who had been driven out of 81
ezra with price on his head He was
reported dead This was the first ap-
pearance Of the young man in Sierra
for over yer
The next day Winnie Dale was miss
ing. She lad gone out in the morning
for walk. She did not return. Eve.
ming came and still no trace of her
Maurice became anxious. He started
search. Finally from what some
children told him he was satisfied that
Winnie had been Kidnapped by three
men. One Of them from the descrip-
ton he was satisfied was young Burt.
For nearly a week Maurice wandered
over hill and dale In vain search for
the haunt of the Burts. Wan, disheart-
ened, one afternoon he was resting In
the midst of dreary waste when a
horseman came galloping towards him
He dismounted. 1t was young Burt.
Instantly Maurice's hand shot to-
wards the revolver at his belt The
abductor of Winnie, his rival, he fan
cied, stood before him. Maurice was
half mad with anxiety.
Hands upl" he ordered furiously.
That's all right" observed Burt
obeying, but smiling the while. Wont
you first let me deliver letter have
for your"
For me--from whom
Miss Dale" was the reply.
Whom you kidnapped burst out
Maurice, fiercely.
Perhaps. She don't regret it. Read
the letter and see" and he lowered a
hand and took an envelope from his
breast.
Maurice perused it. The signature
was Winnie Dale. It simply asked him
to come with the bearer OF the mis-
sive.
Il will go with you" said Maurice,
but distrustfully. IF you are leading
me into trap | will shoot"
You won't shoot-youI be glad"
declared Burt, still smiling.
1t was dusk when he led Maurice up
to a rambling lighted structure in the
m lat OF dense wood The aston
ished Maurice saw within a room Vim
ME Dale, graceful, sprightly and happy
faced as ever, teaching girl compan-
ion q dancing step.
you see, we Burts are pretty
closely watched and father is still alive
and in hiding" explained young Burt.
He is going to Alaska and Sis and l to
some heightened relatives in the East
| stole your girl to teach Sis how to
play the lady-see? AS soon as Miss
Dale found that out she was willing to
stay. She sent that note to you, but
you had left Sierra"
Precious note-it proved that Winnie
had certain interest in him. how
deep, Maurice soon knew.
And when the explanations had been
made the happy lovers knew that for
teaching Sis to be a lady enough to
clear the Triumph mine OF all debt
was 10 be the reward