, 1921-04-28
The Lady Sheriff
and the Bandit
BY r. A BAKER.

3D. @fI 'NC t
closed the door and placed her back
against 1t. The nan started at the
noise and turned half around in his
chair, which was close to a fireplace
In which IA log blazed.
She leveled u revolver at the man.
She was painting, probably from ex-
element, but managed to observe in
fairly businesslike tones:
You're my prisoner. Don't dare
move"
There was no Ievity in her de-
meanor.
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 gingol The lady sheriff. |"
And ne laughed again. But the de-
termined look in the black orbs that
sighted down the barrel of the re-
volver caused his c~ountenance to I'M
dergO a grave 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,
land 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.
Pm glad l found you out, jim.
Really, l eve should have suspected
you were such a desperate character.
No wonder you were displeased when
l was elected no wonder you scoffed
at a woman-especially n of my
youth, you said-holding such a posi-
ton in this wild country You in
tended, when we were married, to lead
a lawless life, and expected me to be
your accomplice, no doubt. I'm glad
l found you out before it was too
late"
There was a peculiar look in the
mans eyes that might have meant al
most anything. 1t was a rather whim-
steal expression, although other emo
lions were expressed.
But, jessie he protested, and
began to rise slowly from his chair.
Don't dare get Up r she fiared.
"Tn shoot-even If it is you, Jim"
81 was just going to offer lou the
chair" he drawled. You're covered
with snow and you must be tired; for
you've tramped far, no doubt"
Thanks, I'll stand" she returned,
changing the gun from her right to
her left hand, because the former was
tired. "It's true, Jim, I'm cold and
tired; for / followed your footprints
through that heavy snow, and 1 had
to travel fast so the fresh snow
wouldn't obliterate them before 1
reached the end Of the trail"
He remained half seated and half
standing, resting a knee on the chair.
Come on. sit down. he insisted.
"Pm under arrest, o say. Very
well, I'll be good-but sit down."
She permitted him to walk across
the room. while she, still covering him,
Unanswered so she could take the
place he had vacated.
"Move over in front of me-" she d.
rected n he obeyed. She relaxed
somewhat in order to enjoy the
warmth, but still kept an eye on him.
"Jim," she said suddenly. "why did
you do it? Did you need the money,
or did you Intentionally put me In this
dilemma? Jim, you ought to realize
l didn't mean it when 1 said every
thing was over between us. But l
really was angry because you objected
to my running for this office, and
when, just as l was feeling elated
over my victory at the polls, you said
1t was no job for a lady, I fiared up
and told you TO leave me and never
come back. But of course, / really
didn't mean It,"
"You told me to do something
superior to woman You said l
claimed woman was inferior. although
/ did nothing Of the sort"
"And so you went and held up n
bank" she said. sc%ornfully. '"That
was your idea of something worth
while. Jim, really I cared for you.
but Of course now"
"Of course. now" he repeated. and
turned his eyes full upon her.
you're my prisoner" she remind
ed, her jaw hardening. II must for
NtN hhhA sVh NV hi'bhA W mt IN
sheriff of Anacon county. and I've
sworn to uphold the law. BY catch
ing the bank bandit right at the start
Of my term I1lsprove my fitness for
the position. Further than that, I'll
prove woman's right to take her place
on the same plane with man."
without replying he reached into
a pocket and brought out n sack of
tobacco from which he filed n pipe.
object II / smoker" he inquired,
pausing before scratching n match on
the wall.
"Certainly not" she said. "Smoke
as much as o like, and when your
tobacco is exhausted I'll see that you
get more-in your cell"
"Thanks," he said. dryly. and light
ed the pipe, Now, II you'n permit
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