Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-28
BY Edith v. Ross.

H.,
rapidly, evidently DESTROYS TO get away.
whats your hurryT' asked Tom.
i None of your business" said tha
other.
Tom went close up to him. thrust his
hand into an. outside coat pocket and
took out a little round mirror with a
metal back. The man paled Tom or.
dered him to go back into the hall. The
man demurred, but the cold muzzle op
a revolver against his temple brought
him to terms. Tom marched him
down an aisle close to the stage. or
rather, the platform. The curtain bad
been rung down, and the audience
We're discussing the accident Facing
them, Tom said:
Ladies and gentlemen, am handy
with the gun, and that you shall not
be disappointed in seeing an exhibition
Of such skill 1 would be pleased, II
you desire 1t, to give you one"
| The shouts that greeted this ofYe,
left no doubt that it was very accept
| able.
Tom took the man he had captured
up a short fight of stairs on TO the
! platform and behind the curtain. He
| found a commotion which be ouieted
| and repeated his offer to the manager.
who acquiesced. Tom spoke a few
words of sympathy to the young per-
former and his sister. and the curtain
was rung up. Tom and his captive
standing In the wings.
what are you going to dor asked
the man.
1fF
ceed."
The man sided on to the platform
Tom moioned to the manager to stand
him against the board and put an ap.
pie on his head. Then Tom. drawing
his own revolver, took aim at his vic
tim. Several minutes elapsed before
a shot was fired owing to the targets
unsteadiness, for he seemed on the
verge Of collapse. Finally Tom told
him that IL he didn't brace up and
stand still he was liable to get but
let I'm his brain This stes died him.
Tom fired and pierced the apple, which
the manager held up for the inspec-
ton of the audience.
Then Tom, taking a silver half dollar
from his pocket, handed it to the man.
ager, telling him to put it on the mans
head. When it appeared that Tom
was intending to shoot the coin some
of the audience protested, while 9TH
ers shouted to him to proceed. Step
ping to the footlights, he told them that
the wounding of the girl was not an
accident, but had been produced by
this fellow throwing a ray of sunlight
into her brothers eyes. Then Tom
held up the mirror.
1t looked for awhile as If the offender
would be Iynched Indeed. several
men started up to the stage for the
purpose, but Tom, who had a revolver
in his hand, drove them back and
claimed the privilege of Furnishing the
culprit himself.
At the next shot the half dollar was
knocked into the air, fell and rolled
over the floor.
Tom now asked the audience he
had not better turn the man over to
the sheriff, since he was so limp that
he was not fitted for a target. Some
cried YES" some NO. while Others
cried ''Shoot him down" But Tom
had some time before suggested to the
to send for an officer to make
the arrest, and the sheriff having ar
lived and learned the circumstances
walked on to the stage and took the
nan away amid bowls from the audi
nee.
Tom now went back to the room used
n common by the company to find that
! doctor had dressed the girls wound.
md she and her brother were waiting
0r a cOnvavapaa 70 tol-a bor IN, a h0fpI
The brother thanked Tom for bringing
is enemy to justice, and the wounded
irl looked gratitude that was more
leasing than words. Tom drove TO
be hotel with the two, and before they
etired he was put into possession Of
be mans reasons for his inhuman ac-
ion.
He was a rough character who had
ollowed them. endeavoring TO thrust
is attentions on the girl. She bad
dubbed him, and her brother had told
i'm that if he did not let his sister
lone he would take measures TO force
inn to do so.
Both Tom Arnold and the company
players were detained in the town
II their dispositions could be taken
own. and they were required TO re-
i'm for the trial. The man was con-
cted and sentenced to state prison
II term of years. Meanwhile Tom
i'd returned to civilization, but not
ncying city life his father furnished
m with the means TO return TO the
est. The Withrows never gave an
her performance after the one in
hich the sister had been wounded.
e brother having by II been deprived
his nerve for the feat and the sister
It again daring to have him try II.
mold kept In touch with them and
hen he established his ranch took
throw into his employ. 1t was not
lg after this that Tom married
anche and found IL much easier TO
tile himself as & married man than
a single one.
May % in American