Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-04-11
Nellie
Adventure
By RALPH HAMILTON

~--N-'
The electric line was temporarily
out of service, and Nellie Bross, who
lived a mile from town, had to walk,
or await repairs which might mean an
arrival at the bank where she was
employed an hour or more late. She
had not gone three hundred yards,
however, when hearty voice hailed
her, and the driver of load Of hay,
old Ezra Ward, neighbor, sang out
chserily:
"All aboard, little miss, If you aren't
afraid Of climb up the boom rope"
and Nellie astonished him with
bright laugh and landed among the
fresh, understanding hay behind him
In a jiffy.
"And this here special will deliver
you at terminus in time," chirruped
the accommodating old fellow. "Gid-
dapl" and Nellie was as comfortably
settled as 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 a bonus when I
leave" mused Nellie.
Mr.. Lupton was the owner Of the
Belleville bank, small country insti-
tuition, and not inclined to either senti.
ment or liberallty. Nellie was stenog-
rapher bookkeeper and cashier. She
did her work well, but her employer
was close-fisted and exacting.
"Oh, dear" uttered Nellie, as there
was a Jolt. 1t 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 1t. Then
she barely suppressed cry Of alarm,
for up from under the hay human
hand was projected, extending the
handbag. A new lurch brought to
view a mans face. Nellie shrank back.
Just enough Of the jacket worn by the
stowaway was revealed to show that
1t was of the striped pattern worn by
the convicts in the penltentlary, ten
miles from Belleville.
Nellie sat staring aghast at this I'M
expected manifestation and shivered.
The eyes Of the fugitive wore a hunt
ed, 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
a wife and little one awaiting me, IL
can ever reach them"
"Take this" said Nellie, impulslve-
ly, and pushed her lunch-box toward
him. "And this" and she opened the
handbag and took thence silver half
dollar.
"Bless your breathed the man
gratefully. you have given me lib
erty and hope" and drew again out Of
sight beneath the hay.
Nellie alighted at the bank quite as
dsxterously as she had gained the gum
nit. I'm glad" she whispered to
herself, as 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 freer and an hour
later she learned that four convicts
had escaped from the penitentiary the
night previous.
She told her lover only Of her Inn
netuous act that evening. and he COM
mended her FOR bar kind heortedness.
The NEXT dav Mr.. Lupton went TO visit
a branch bank In another town.
"NfIss Rross." he said. "you will
have TO take charge here until re-
turn Nv father will drop in off and
on during 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.. Lupton came in about
two o'clock I'm the afternoon md help
cd her with some of the heavy bank
Ied0ers ana vault hoxes Tbera were
not many visitors and the bank was
deserted except for themselves, when
abruntIv two men quietly entered the
bank One directed a revolver at the
shr,nkin0 old man and addressed Nal
lie.
mo ono will cot hurt ~ Won are
or,otr no told ber and his comnon-
ion e,,ded bebInd tba connter and he
oan 20 an q sotcboI he CARRIED with
the bont treasure
c..sao.,,, is. 1ou,,, ,ossad Tho
onon Sonryoa t. was thot ~ = man
80 h 60 aoooIas and broad.
hr,mned hat thot ,yor, sbodod HE
90
-, 3d.. II. H.