The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1914-04-24


body supposed that he was far away.
We'll, Ike White had some powerful
friends here, and they organized a
posse. They meant to start after him.
but one of them-a d who's dead
now, so ! won't tell you his name
hit on q better plan to get him. Molly
had borne the news like an angel, and
this man, pretending TO have a mes
sage from Jim, told Molly he'd be at
Fox Lane on a certain day with a
spare horse, TO take her away to
Mexico. Then ne got in touch with
Jim and told him Molly would be wait
ing for him on the same day at the
same place, and he was to be there
with a spare horse for her. Well
sir, the plan worked all right. Jim
came to Fox Lane and found Molly
waiting; only the sheriff was there
too, as well as the posse, and in q
twlnkling they had Jim disarmed.
"Jim might have made a fight for it.
but Molly begged him to go with the
sheriff. Nobody thought he'd get
more that a year or two in prison, and
Molly promised to wait for him n
number of years, Poor, thing, she's
waited twenty! She's hardly o
than q young woman now-can't be-
turned forty, as you'll see for your
self if you look at her close-but her
hair turned gray very soon after the
sentence. Jim was put in for life. as
l told you.
80 that's why Molly Deering comes
10 Fox Lane -four times a year. She's
as sane as you or l. except for this
one queer little twist in her BRAIN
Every now and again she forgets all
that has passed and thinks she Is
going to Fox Lane TO marry Jim.
Then she dresses up in her best, and
when / see her waiting for the coach
l know what's happening Quiet and
gentle as a lamb she is, but she thinks
she's a young girl again and that Jim
Burnett will be waiting for her with
the spare horse. II you'll notice her,
friend, you'll see that she's wearing
a riding skirt under her cloak.
when I pick her up or the return
journey she never says anything, but
| a see that her memory has come
back to her. And so it goes. It's
pitifuEbut everybody loves Molly
Deering, and It would go hard with
anyone who didn't treat her respect
full. And here we are at Fox Lane.
You getting of here too? Then per
haps you'll have a chance TO look at
her"
The driver pulled in his horses and
the gray-haired traveller descended
slowly. The driver jumped from the
box, throwing the reins loosely over
the horses heads. He opened the
coach door, and the traveller could see
him handing out the frail little lady.
Here we are at Fox Lane, Miss
Deering," he said. Anything 1 can
do for you today? Not coming back
by the coach? Pshaw! I'm sorry to
hear that. Expecting to meet a
friend? Sure now, Miss Molly, l wish
| wasn't a married man. It's me that
would be- your friend if you would let
me"
He placed the woman's handbag
upon the ground beside her and, waV'
ing goodbye to the driver, jumped
o n the box again, took the reins. and
clicked to the horses. OF went the
stage pell-mel, until it rolled into
Acacia.
Poor thing! Poor thing" eI'
claimed the driver, wiping his eyes
IF Uncle Sam knew, maybe he'd lei
jim out again"
He took on his passengers. but he
II reserved a vacant seat inside the
h coach.
NO, sir, that seats taken" he said
ID Must go? Well, friend, you a ride
n on the box but you can't have thai
seat-not If It costs me my job. Who's
brlbing me? It's being held for Molly
Deering. Certainly, no offense, friend
,f knew you would understand. Yes
n sir, she came up to Fox Lane today
as usual, poor thing!" s
The stage coach ratified and rum
Ia bl'd uANh bHtll VA LdAAO Mdo AtdNuoN
Then the driver pulled In.
or Glad to see you, Miss Deering." b,
called cheerily to the little figure tina
ID was waiting for him. 81 didn't know
d you was up ip these parts. I guess
I've got 2 seat for you inside. How
,s do you do, sir?'
la He vas certainly surprised to Sc,
the stranger, but more 30 to see Mis-.
n Deering ~clinging to his arm.
,e Come down, Jiml" called the man
m "Toss down the reins and Jump. Sc,
" here! Don't you know me, you oil,
To rascalf And me sitting at your std
all the way to Fox Lanel"
"a "Jim Burnett" yelled the driver Il
le amusement "Jiml It's you'll An
they've let you out, you-you-
nr Hush. JIM" said the other. hOldini
up a warning finger. take care wha
words you use in the presence of m,
In wife Molly, dear, this is Jim, who
vas telling you about"
in Copyright by W. G. chapmanl