The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-12-25

Amen to that" the boyish person
calculated with candid fervor, loung-
ing gracelessly in the doorway.
There's many true word spoken in
wrath, Mr.. Marrophat. Father forgot
only one thing-your mastery way
with revolver. From what I've seen
of that, this day, I'll go bail that the
only safe place for man you pull a
gun on is right in front of the muzzle.
There's something downright uncanny
in the way you can hit anything but
what you aim att"
Judith" exclaimed the invalid.
Where did you drop FROM"
From that freight" Judith ex-
planned carelessly, neglecting to eluci-
date the exact fashion of her drop. Il
judged you'd be along presently, and
thought I'd like to learn the news.
Weil-what luck?"
Her father shrugged with his one
movable shoulder. Mr.. Marrophat
grunted Indignantly. The others shut
fled uneasily and looked all ways but
one-at the girl in mans clothing.
"None" Judith interpreted. you
don't mean to tell me that after ] had
taken all that trouble-cast the ca
boose loose in the middle of that
trestle at the risk of my life-you
didn't have the nerve to go through
with the business!"
I'VE went through with it all right"
replied Marrophat defensively; 'but
as usual, they were too quick for us.
They jumped out and dropped off the
trestle before our engine hit the ca
boose. We smashed that to kindling
woodruff they got away just in time
to miss the crash. And by the time
we had stopped and Gained down the
engineer-well, it was dark and no
way of telling which way they had
rum
The girl started to speak, but merely
dropped limp hands at her sides and
rolled her eyes helplessly.
I'VE do our best" Marrophat OBJ
served. I'VE can't be blamed if
something somehow - always hap
pens to tip the others off,"
The girl swung to face him with
blazing eyes. "Just what does that
mean?" she demanded in a dangerous
voice.
Marrophat lifted his shoulders.
'Nothing-much." he allowed. Il am
only thinking how strange it is that
Mr.. Law can't be caught by any sort
of stratagem-when you are on the job,
Miss Judith"
The girls hands we're clenched into
fists, white knuckles showing through
the flesh you contemplate puppy!"
she snapped.
But on this her voice failed; for her
tyes travelled past the person of Mr..
Marrophat to the doorway of the draw
ing room and found it framing
stranger.
Excuse me, friends" he offered in
lazy, semi-humorous drawl. 1T pains
me considerable to butt in on this
happy family gathering, but business
is business, same as usual, and / got
to asst you-all to please put up your
hands,"
What do you want?' the invalid de-
| manded.
Why" drawled the bandit, nothing
in particular your cash. Shell
out, if you please-gents all and the
lady, too" He ran an appreciative
glance down the figure which Judith's
| disguise revealed rather than con-
cealed. IF you'll pardon my takin'
notice." he amended. Perhaps
wouldn't if the lady's clothes didn't fit
her so alfred quick!"
Keep a civil tongue in your head,
my mani" Judith counseled, without
any show of fear.
At the same time her fathers voice
brought her to her senses.
Judith! Be quiet. Let me deal
with this gentleman. / am sure we
can come to some arrangement"
You bet your life" agreed the gen.
tleman as the girl mutinously stepped
back. Il know what / want, and you
all know you got it: so the name of
the said arrangement is just shell
out"
"One minute" the invalid inter-
posed. Don't misunderstood me: l
| guarantee you shall be amply salts
fed. l give you my word-the word
of Seneca Urine"
The eyes of the bandit widened.
mo? Is that so? Seneca Urine, the
railroad king? Sures you're born
you're him: I've seen your picture
in the papers dozen times. Well,
now, it looks like I'd drawn a full
house to this pair of deuces, don't it?
You ought to be able to pay something
| handsome"
I'll pay you far more handsomely
than you dream of if you'll do as /
WISH" Urine interrupted quickly. do
me the service / wish-and name
your price: whatever it is, you shall
have it,"
Nothing could be fairer'n that!"
the two-gun man admitted suspicious
| ly. But what's the number of this
here service-like you call it?"
Listen to me-" Urine bent his head
forward and jabbed the air with an