Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-09-16
NelEe's
Adventure


lived . mile from town, had to walk,
OF await repairs whisA might mean an
arrival st the bank where she was
employed an hour % more late. She
had not gone three hundred yards,
however. when q hearty voice hailed
her. and the driver q . load Of hay.
old Ezra Ward. . nsishbor. sang out
cheerily;
"All aboard. little miss. u you aren't
afraid Of climb up the boom rope"
and Nellie astonishsd him with .
bright laugh and landed among the
fresh. sweet-smeliins hay behind him
In q jlffy.
"And this here special win deliver
you at terminus in time" chifruped
the accommodating old fellow. "Gid-
dapi" and Nellie was - comfortably
settled AZ though riding on . pillow
Of down.
The novelty Of the ride mingled with
pleasing thoughts. for within two
months Nellie was to be married to
Bryce winslow.
perhaps Mr.. Lupton will open his
heart and give me q bonus when I
leave" unused Nellie.
Mr.. Lupton was the owner Of the
Belleville bank, q small country inst-
tuition. and not inclined to either senti-
ment or libsrality. Nellie was stenog-
rapher, bookkeepsr and cashier. She
aid her work well. but her employer
was closensted and exactins.
"Oh, DEAR" uttered Nellie. a. there
was q jolt. II shifted the box con-
tanning her MONDAY lunch and her
handbag from her lap. The latter
sank quite out Of sight amid the Yield
Ing hay. Nellie CROPPED for It. Then
she barely suppressed cry OF alarm,
for up from under the hay q human
hand was projected. extending the
handbag. A new lurch brought to
view q mans face. Nellie shrank back.
Just enough of the jacket worn by the
Btowaway was revealed to show that
II was Of the striped pattern worn BY
the convictr in the penitsntiary, ten
miles from Belleville.
Nellie sat staring aghast at this un-
expected manifestation and shivered.
The eyes Of the fugitive wore a hunt
cd, pleading look. She comprehended
that, escaping, he had found tempo
rary hiding place In the load Of hay.
Don't tell |" he whispered. there's
wife and little one awaiting me, II
can ever reach them"
'Taks this" said Nellie. impulsivs-
". and pushed her luneh-box toward
him. "And this" and she opened the
handbag and took thence Q silver half
dollar.
"Bless your bresthed the man
gratefully. you haze given me lib.
srty and hope" and drew again out Of
light beneath the hay.
Nellie alighted at the bank quite AZ
isxterousiy as she had gained the yum-
init. "Pm glad" she whispered to
herself. a. she went up the bank steps.
He didn't look wicked. He has wife
and children waiting for him. Oh. I
hope he gets away fresl" and an hour
later she learned that four convicts
had escaped from the penitentiary the
aisht previous.
She told her lover only Of her i'm
petuous act that evening. and he com
mendsd her for her kind heartedness.
The next day Mr.. Lupton went to visit
4 branch bank in another town.
~Aiiss Bross," he said. you will
aavs to take charge hsre until I re-
turn. Ny father will drop In on and
on duging the day and help around
what little he can.
II was no new thing for Nellie to at
tend manifold details without assist
ance. Old Mr.. Lnpton came In about
two O'Clock in the afternoon and help
ed her with some Of the heavy bank
ledEsrs and vault boxes. There were
act many visitors and the bank was
iesertsd except for themselves. when
abruptly two men quietly entered the
bank. One directed q revolver at the
shrinking old man and addressed Nsl-
lie.
NO one will get hurt II you are
auist," he told her. and his compan-
ion Elided behind the counter and be-
gan to all q sstchel he carried with
the bank treasure.
Suddenly q swift form passed the
open doorway. II was that OF q man
wearing heavy goggles and q broad
brimmed hat that wen shadsd his
face.
Drop your gum rang from his lips
to the man on guard Leave that
bag and get out Of here ~ fast as you
can" he ordered the thief behind the
counter, "or-"
His leveled weapon emphasized the
mandate. The two men slunk out OF
the bank and disappeared down the
street. The latest caller approached
Nellie.
They asked me to Join them" he
spoke to her. II wouldn't anyway, for
I'm through with crime. Then when
I knew II was your bank they were
after, I remembered. and"
He lifted his goggles. and Nellie rec
ognixed the man Of the hay wagon.
Bread on the waters" he said Him-
ply" and was gone.
SO thrilling q story did old Mr.. Lup-