The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1921-06-03
The Lady Sheriff
and the Bandit

g ~ Neclur. Newspaper syndicstsj


noise and turned half around In hi
chair, which was close TO fireplace
In which a log blazed-
She 1eveled q revolver at the man
She WAS painting, probably from ex
element, but managed TO observe IL
fairly businesslike tones:
You're my prisoner. Don't dare
move"
There was no levity In her de-
mennor.
You're under arrest-for holding
up the First National bank"
The man laughed. Not only did
his even, white teeth laugh, but SO did
his gray eyes.
BY gingo The lady sheriff |"
And he laughed again. But the de-
terInined look In the black orbs that
sighted down the barrel Of the re-
volver caused his countenance to IN
dergo a grnve change.
Her riding suit was covered with
loose snow, and tiny icicles hung from
the brim OF her broad hat and from
her black tresses.
You're my prisoner" she repeated,
and I'll have to deliver you to JUS
tice-even though you are Jim Wheel
err" For the. first time her voice fall
tered, but the arm that leveled the
weapon did not.
TIN glad l found you out, Jim.
Really / never should have suspected
W n 20 oh OH
No. wonder you were displeased when
Iwas elected no wonder you scofred
at woman-especially one of my
youth. you said--holding such a posi-
ton In this wild country You In
tended, when we were married, to lead
Z lawless life, and expected me to be
your accomplish, no doubt. I'm glad
I found you out before 1t was too
late"
There was peculiar look In the
mans eyes that might have meant al
most anything. 1t was rather whim-
steal expression, although other emo
tons were expressed.
But, Jessie" he protested. and
began to rise slowly from his chair.
y Don't dare get upr she fiared. I
I'll shoot--eyen II 1t is you. JIM"
II. was just going to offer -ou the
hair" he drawled. You're covered
Vith, snow and you must be tired for
'ou've tnmped far. no doubt"
Thanks. I'll stand" she returned,
hanging the gun from her right to
er left hand, because the former was
ired. FITS true. Jim, I'm cold and
ired for followed your footprints
through that heavy snow, and I had
0 travel fast SO the fresh snow
couldn't obliterate them before ]
cached the end Of the trail"
He remained half seated and half
landing. resting knee on the chair
Come on, sit down." he insisted
I'm under arrest, you say. Very
ell. I'll be good-but sit down."
She permitted him to walk across
10 room. while she. still covering him,
uncovered SO she could take the
ace he had vacated.
Move over In front of me-" she d.
cited and he obeyed. She relaxed
n'ewhnt In order to enjoy the
armth, but still kept an eye on him.
"Jim," she said suddenly, "why did
u do ft2 Did you need the money,
did you Intentionally put me In this
emnn? Jim. You ought to realize
dicnt mean II when said every
ing was over between us. But /
lily was angry because you objected
my running for this Office, aud
len. just ms / was feeling elated
sr my victory at the polls, you said y
was no job for a lady, l fiared up :
4 told you to leave me and never y
nc bnck. But OF course, 1 really II
mt mean IT." r
You told me to do something u
rth while. to show that man was u
'erior to woman. You said I q
lined woman was inferior. although a
Id nothing Of the sort"
And so you went and held up a W
TX" she snid. scornfully. "That W
your Idea OF something worth -
lie. Jim, really cared for you; IA
of course now" 10
Or course, now" he repeated, and
leu AiS eyes Iull upon her.
You're my prisoner" she remind
her. jaw hardening. II must for ~
what you once meant to me. I'm CIV
rim OF Amazon county. and I've VI
IN to uphold the law. BY catch ~
the bank bandit right at the start 9.
ny term I'll prove my fitness for III
position. Further than that, I'll eo
e woman's right to take her place
he same plane with man." pu
ithout replying he reached into e's
ocket and brought out sack Of
eco from which he filed pipe. ~
Inject II smoker he inquired, ~, ,u'
ing. before scratching match on wa MA
wall. OH
certainly not" she said. Smoke en'