The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-01-15

Ed" she whispered. eds
Ho opened his Eyes and looked up
At her, ~vacantiy at hfkt, then with 4
dawnipE light Of recognition.
Where's Pheipsf' he asked weak
~.
Betty s%huddered md pointed 10 the
huddled figure on the floor.
Are you badly hurt, Edf" she
whispered.
MY left arms broken, and I've got
a crease alongside Of the head; but
III be ali right. You're not hurtf"
mo. They didn't sec me. They're
In the express car after the money.
What shall we DOR
4 don't know. My head is spinning
so l couldn't yaik a step 70 save my
life. II we were 0riy nearer the
minei We've got the psy-sack-over
twenty Thousand iollarB--in therel'
Cant you start up and run for it?"
Betty asked anxiousH.
III I did they'd be out OF the car
and up here before we'd get ten yards.
II Phelps was only alive. he could go
back and hold them with his gun un-
til ] got her going so they couldn't
jump. But"
I'm here" saiG Betty quietly. She
bent over the body on the floor and
fumbled for an instant. When she
Strengthened up she held the dead
mans revolver.
you can't" began Bell, but Betty
Interrupted him with o gesture.
II can and / will," she said deter
minedly. Even Il you could walk,
your duty II here. You can't leave
the engine. u those men get clear
away, there's no telling whether
they'll ever be caught. can shoot
If ] have to. You watch. When you
see me IN the car door, start, and
don't stop short OF the mine"
Bell reached out his uniniured hand.
and she took It in bothNof hers.
God bless you" he said simply.
The girl turned away without n
word, and began to make her way
over the tender. The door OF the ex-
press car was open on a crack.
One OF the hlghwaymen stood with
his back to it. the revolver in his
hand covering the express messenger.
who was backed up in a corner. The
other man kuelt in front OF the safe,
Transferring notes and gold to q
gunny.sack on the door beside him.
Cautiously the girl descended the
perpendicular ladder at the back of
the sender and stood at last IN the
plat lym. She raised the revolver.
Through the stiffness her voice rang
clear and steady:
Hands up. or III shooti'
Instantly the man with the gun
! wheeled and sent a bullet in the d.
rection OF the voice. It whistled harm.
lessly over the girls shoulder. and
as the report Of her W revolver
rang out, the man slowly doubled up
and slumped down into a heap on the
floor. The train started.
With an oath the nan at the safe
Bprang forward. Then he stopped.
The blue yes Of the girl in the door
way we're blazing into his. the steady
barrel Of the revolver wavered.
A pair OF arms suddenly went
around him from behind, and he was
hurled backward to the floor, where
he struggled in the powerful grasp
OF the express messenger.
"Tak0 his gun away from him, Joe,
and tie him up" suggested Betty,
catching up a coil Of rope from the
floor and moving into the car.
The train rolled over the hong tres.
tie and into the woods beyond.
Through the darkness there came a
rapid series Of short blasts from the
whistle.
The girl hesitated. Ed must want
her help, but dnred she go2
Can you hold him, 5oe?" heasked.
Sure, I'm all right was the re-
ply.
Up the steep ladder and over tho
tender she climbed. steadying herself
against the rock and reel of the fly.
ing train, while the whistle shrieked
again and again.
On the narrow seat Ben was sway.
ing ~unsteadiiy back and forth. His
eyes were haif closed, his clothes
stained red with the blood that
dripped from his wounded arm.
Betty" he murmured.
She could not hear, hut in the dim
light she saw the movement Of his
lips.
I'm here, Ed; it's all right" she
treasured him.
THIN all in-l-'' his iiand fell
forward nm his brpopf "ctcn-har
at-the-" his voice traiied on into
silence.
The light OF the station was coming
into view. On the little platform Bet.
y could see a knot Of men gathered.
Again the whistle sent rs clarion
warning into the night. but this time
IL was Betty who pulled the cord. She
shut on steam and applied the brakes
As the engine came TO a standstil, she