The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-04-16
Ghe
Horse Thief
How He Was Saved.
Cy II. II. WORSLEY.
Copyright 10y Frank y. Munsey c

~. !. 81. e..
The winter had broken earlier than
usual, ana rCtwcen the nearest point
of civilization and the sha, k streto he'd
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 ANA 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
CHANGER the man groaned.
She stepped back.
1.-THE sheriff! Hide mel"
They're here! she said quickly as
the shouting Of Il 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, mindr' said the man.
"This isn't kids game I'm playing.
I've got you covered, and if you give
them so much as wink r.
A laundering at the door closed his
mouth. He stepped quickly behind the
curtain, slit half an inch in length
affording him view Of the scene at
the door,
The girl lit the lamp. then careessly
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 n
woman at this time of night, but were
looking for IN eX-frei2hter by the name
of Joe Gregar. Lifted horse some
miles back and not the first by Il good
many. He's given us Il 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 Wen take Gregar
to- go OH with. Like as not they're one
and the samc...- ..., .-..
lis your sense Of manliness as great
as your sense of justice? Perhaps
you'd like to search my shack
"It's my duty" he stammered. much
as 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 ut 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 mt the door saw the
flushed face OF Il suffering girl child.
The woman rccrossed the floor.
us that your MANI she asked
brokenly. "Would You like to search
further?"
mo" he said: I'll take your word
If you'll take my apologies. What is
it? Can't lie fever this weather, but
her face is flushed"
Broke her arm" said the woman
land 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. as it your
kiddy!"
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 man? she ask
ed. He nodded reassuringly and com
menced tenderly to remove the band
ages.
"Setv' he muttered. 1T hasn't hat
chance to set. Who made these
splintsf'
81 did" said the woman. 1T was the
best / could do"
"You can't expect woman to bt
clever at everything" he unused. "Giv'
me that box" With the aid of hi.
jackknife he fashioned the splints ant
cast round for Il sling NOW tina
belt" he commanded, indicating ;
mans cartridge belt hanging behinc
the door
Mechanically she handed 1t to him
and, though the muscles Of her face di'
not move. she saw the look of surpris
that came into his eyes as he took tn
belt in his fingers and turned 1t oveI
Within half an hour the child wa
sleeping peacefully.
"Pm obliged to you said the WON
an. "Are we quitsT'
"I should like to think So" he re
piled. moving toward the door.
"There are a couple of horse rugs II
the other ROOM she said quietly. 9TH
drifts would give you less of a chanc
than the sheriff did,
Embarrassment showed itself in tn
twitcbing of his fingers.
Get choil eff mn with tho child - sh