Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-02-25
be
Horse Thief
How He Was Saved.
By N. II. WORSLEY.
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.


usual. and between the nearest point
of civilization and the shack stretched
waste of cleaning snow.
As the girl came from behind the
shack. hauling the brushwood after
her, the soft yet distinct pad-pad of
a runners 'eet 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
Ter strength, but did not utter word.
For Gods sake, give me a fighting
chance" the man groaned.
She stepped back.
''The sheriff. Hide mev'
They're here!" she said quickly as
the shouting of dozen men was
heard. Get behind that curtain. I'm
going to light the lamp. Don't move
or get skeered into shooting"
mo tricks. mindY' said the man.
This isn't a kids game I'm playing.
I've got you covered, aud if you give
them so much as a wink p
A laundering at the door closed his
mouth. He stepped quickly behind the
curtain, slit half an inch in length
Affording him q view of the scene at
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 his
hat. His companions drew back their
horses and waited.
II apologize for having disturbed a
woman at this time of night, but we're
looking for an ex-freighter by the name
of Joe Gregar. Lifted a horse some
miles back and not the first by good
many. He's given US mighty good
run for the money, but reckon we've
treeG 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 go on with. Like as not they're one
and the same"
rs your sense of nanliness as great
as your sense of Justice? Perhaps
you'd like to search my shackY
Its my duty" he stammered, much
as may regret it,"
She stepped back from the door and
walked a.owly to the other side of the
room. slie stopped over a shakedown.
then turued 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 xooth ngly and drew down the
sheet. The man at the door saw the
flushed face of a suffering girl child.
The woman recrOssed the floor.
rs that your man?' she asked
brokenly. Would you like to search
further?"
Me-" he said; '1'l take your word
if yea'n take my apologies. What is
it? 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 his hiding place.
why didn't you tell me?" he asked,
nodding at the shakedown +Is it your
kiddy?"
'N0; 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 manY' she ask
ed. He nodded reassuringly and com
menced tenderly to remove the band.
ages.
"Set" he muttered ''It hasn't had
chance to set. Who made these
SpIluIS
81 did, said the woman. ut was the
best could do"
You can't expect woman to be
clever at everything" he mused. Give
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 it to him
and. though the muscles of her face die
not move, she saw the look of surprise
that came into his eyes as he took tn,
belt in his fingers and turned it over
Within half an hour the child wa.
sleeping peacefully.
"Pm obliged to you.' said the won
an. Are we quits? 2"
81 should like to think So" he re
piled, moving toward the door.
"There are couple of horse rugs il
the other ROOM she said quietly. 9Th,
drifts would give you less of chanc,
than the sheriff did"
Embarrassment showed itself in tn
twitching of his fingers.
81 shall sit up with the child" sh