Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-02-23
Ghe
Horse Thief
How He'Was Saved.
By M. II. w0RsLEY.
Copyright by Frank A Munssy Co..


usual, and between the nearest point
Of civilization and the shack stretched
a waste Of cleaning snow.
As the girl came from behind the
shack, hauling the brushwood after
her, the soft yet distinct pad-pad OF
runners feet In the snow caused her
to throw her head back and listen In.
tently.
Slowly the girl, her face almost as
white as the snow, dropped the brush
wood and crept into the shack, and her
fingers felt for the bolts on the door
But she was too late!
A mans arm was thrust into the
opening between the door and the
jamb. She pushed at the door with all
her strength, but did not utter word
"For Gods sake, give me a fighting
chance" the man groaned
She stepped back.
"The sheriff! Hide meP'
They're hereT she said quickly as
the shouting of a dozen men was
heard. Get behind that curtain. In
going to light the lamp. Don't move
or get skeered into shooting"
mo tricks, mind! said the man
This isn't kids game I'm playing
I've got you covered. and II you give
them 80 much as q wink ~
A laundering at the door closed his
mouth. lie stepped quickly behind the
curtain, a slit half an inch In length
affording him a view Of the scene al
the door.
The girl lit the lamp. then carelessly
drew back the bolts.
The man at the door leaped lightly
from his saddle and politely raised bis
hat. His companions drew back their
horses and waited.
II apologize for having disturbed q
woman at this time of night, but we're
looking for an ex-freighter by the name
Of Joe Gregar. Lifted horse some
miles back and not the first by a good
many. He's given us mighty good
run for the money. but reckon we've
freed him"
you're the new sheriff, aren't your
There was biting irony In her voice.
We've heard about you in these parts.
Something brand new from Boston
eh? Came out here to show them how
to rope in Brunte Heath. didn't you!
Is it Brunte that you're after?"
"Brunte can wait. Well take Gregar
to 60 on with. Like US not they're one
and the same"
us your sense Of manllness as great
as your sense Of justice? Perhaps
you'd like to search my slrack?
"It's my duty" he stammered. much
rs i may regret it."
She stepped back from the door and
walked slowly to the other side Of the
room. She stopped over shakedown.
then turned and glanced at the man In
the doorway.
He was watching her curiously.
Something beneath the clothes on the
shakedown stirred uneasily. She whis-
pered soothingly and drew down the
sheet. The man at the door saw the
flushed face of suffering girl child.
The woman recrossed the floor.
us that your man" she asked
brokenly. "Would you like to search
further7"
NO" he said; I'll take your word
II you'll take my apologies. What is
it1 Can't be fever this weather. but
her face Is flushed"
Broke her arm." said the woman.
''and it's set badly"
The man behind the curtain waited
till the sheriff had gone and then came
from bis hiding place.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
nodding at the shakedown. "Is 1t your
kiddyT
mo; my niece"
LET me have look at her arm"
He went over to the shakedown and
gently turned aside the clothes. The
child looked up into his face and SEEM
ed satisfied.
Are you the doctor mani" she ask.
ed. He nodded reassuringly and COM
menced tenderly to remove the band
ages.
"Setr he muttered. 1T hasn't had
a chance to set Who made these
splintsi"
II did," said the woman. ut was the
best could do"
"You can't expect woman to be
clever at everything" he unused. "Glve
me that box" With the aid Of his
jackknife he fashioned the splints and
cast round for sling. "Now that
belt" he commanded. indicating a
mans cartridge belt hanging behind
the door.
Mechanically she handed 1t to him.
and, though the muscles Of her face did
not move. she saw the look Of surprise
that came into his eyes as he took the
belt in his fingers and turned 1t over.
Within half an hour the child was
sleeping peacefully.
'T'm obliged to you." said the wom-
ILL., Art we QuilSt
81 should like to think 3d." be re-
piled, moving toward the door.
There are n couple Of horse rugs In
che other room." she said quietly. 1.-THE
drifts would give you less Of chance
than the sheriff did"
Embarrassment showed itself In the
twitching Of his fingers.
II shall sit up with the child" she
added.
'4Thanks." His hand was on the
door leading into the other apartment
7 hope that Brunte Heath, whoever
ne Is, will have half my luck"
II hope So" she whispered. He de-
serves It."
"You seem to know something about
Brunte?" he said.
She was sitting on the side Of the
shakedown. and her eyes met his fair
" and squarely.
IT know that he's never had square
deal, II that's what you meal"
"He's married. isn't her
$50 I've heard"
wealthy woman tool"
"Wealthy-but she isn't much Of q
woman. He was good and straight
man when she left him."
"And then he took to horse nfting?'
ssIn oil hia 1,fo ho'a takan Ona hOrRa