The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-27

the old horse walk slowly, 30 as not to
jar the sleeper under the sacking.
Nixon was already out Of sight. He
was in hurry. Even Turley knew
why.
The saddle bags that slapped against
the black pony's sides we're weighted
with about six thousand dollars to pay
of with at the works on Monday. The
superintendent went after the money
every Saturday, riding the Is miles
down to the express Office at Gale and
back over the hills to Ell Orc.
Midway between the two was
Hookey's shack, dab Of gray slabs
amid the autumn foliage that clothed
the foothills with glory.
It had been good of the superintend-
emit to hand over the $14 to her. Even
with tear-llled eyes. she wound the
reins round the whip stock and let
the old horse take its time, while she
counted the bills over in her lap.
And Hockey. cautiously lifting one
corner of the sacking and watching
her, felt his heart softening toward
Nixon.
He had drawn his money, every last
cent, and had left 1t all at McGinnis',
forgetting all about the promised
prunes and other supplies. Nixon had
made good the loss-had handed the
sum of his wages over again that the
youngsters might not suffer.
He was a good fellow, all right.
Maybe the other fellows had been
twisted in their point Of view.
Hookey's head cleared suddenly.
He threw of the .sacking and sat bolt
upright in the wagon.
Daddy. you lie down and behave
yourself now" called Turley vigorous
ly. She hastily hid the bills in her
stocking.
Listen, sis!" The old mans head
was turned in the direction Nixon
had taken. From somewhere up the
road there came the report Of pistol.
Hear that?"
Turley held her breath to listen.
Hunters, amt it,"
The old man didn't stop to answer
Climbing over beside the two children,
he seized the reins and whip.
Turley lifted Mate over the back OF
the seat, and swaddled him deity In
the sacking. Turkeys mind worked
rapidly. She saw a brick wall coming
long before 1t hit her.
"You stay put, now, Mate" she ad'
monished, and sat bolt upright on the
swaying seat, hanging on to the side
and her fathers coat. HE went that
way, dad"
She pointed one finger at the path
that led through gully. 1t was only
used for saddle horses, but Hockey
never stopped for small detail OF
that sort. Turning the old horses head
straight for the bush, he urged 1t on
and the branches whipped across Tur
ley's face, and tore at her bare neck
and arms, as they beat their way
through.
There came another shot, and an
other, and the old man swore briefly
under his breath. the sweat pouring
down his face, the veins on his brown
knotty old hands swelling visibly un
der the strain. The way ahead be
came impenetrable for the horse, and
Hockey slid to the earth, whip in hand
Something was crashing its way
through the bush. The old man sent
back q shout Of warning, but Turley
knew no fear AS the black pony
beat its way out, painting. scared and
nervous. she reached for the bride
and halted It beside the wagon.
Then, just as matter Of precaution
she reached down into the saddle bags
and drew out Mr.. Nixon's leather case
"Sit on that, Mate" she ordered
pushing it under the sacking. and Mate
obeyed.
There was silence in the greer
depths ahead-a strange, suggestive
silence.
No more shots, nothing, till sudden
ly, almost from under the pony's feet
there reared up form, and swung
itself across the pony's back.
"You leggo!" yelled Turley fran
tically, beating at the hands that tore
| at the reins. "You mean old thing
you!"
The man laughed. He was the last
Of the three who had talked witt
Hockey down at McGinnis' the nigh
before-the other two lay back there
in the bushes. And he laughed, feel
ing the saddle-bags under his knees
and the black pony straining for fret
rein.
When he had gained the open roat
again, and was racing toward the
hills, he wondered why the child hat
grinned back at him.
He found out that night, over thu
state line, when he cautiously ven
tured to open the bags for look a
his treasure trove.
A little later than usual, Nixon ar
rived at the Ell Orc works. 1t was pas
two o'clock before the old white hors'
pulled the rickety wagon up before tn
superintendept's house, and Turtle!
| b.nded down the bundle of money.