Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1921-01-11
Quite a Heroine
By ALVAH J. GARTH

!
Erwin Trask did not take his eyes
away from her from the moment she
had come In view of the top OF an
incline leading down to the waters
edge. She carried two large pasteboard
boxes which she set carefully upon a
stool.
Just In time. Captain Taft" she
remarked to the rotund, bustling own
er of the launch. "Will you stop for
me at AshtonI"
WED stop for you In the middle
Of the ocean II you asked us to, honey
girl" responded the captain with gen.
uine ardor Eth, BartonT
every time" piped the man at the
wheel enthusiastically. and then cap
tain and wheelman chatted with her
about the health Of her father, things
up at the little farm and a variety OF
subjects, evinclng an intimate knowl-
edge Of her affairs and an interest in
the same.
The girl looked sweet enough to de-
serve the name bestowed upon her
'honey girl"-but Trask soon dlscov-
cred that this was not as he had at
first supposed, familiar endearlng
eplthet She was called "honey girl"
because her father operated small
farm specializing in honey and bees.
He reared and dealt in a rare and de-
sirable breed OF italian bees and
shipped as well as delivered them all
over the country. The two boxes the
girl had brought aboard probably held
some Of these. which she was taking
to a customer at n distance.
Two grim faced, unprepossessing
looking men taken aboard up the river
sat by themselves at the stern Of the
boat No particular attention was
paid to them. They had paid their
fare for the through trip. They got
up and moved about the deck with
some animation, however, as the boat
traversed part OF tie river that
broadened out, with little islands here
and there. The captain had gone up
close TO the wheelsman when the craft
entered this stretch as II the tortuous
course demanded careful attention.
Trask had never seen the girl be-
fore and the captain had motioued TO
him as he went about his duties.
"AIr. Trask of the Byron bank, Miss
Warren" he said. 1--WE have two
treasures aboard this trip--the banks
big iron box and you, honey girl"
Very soon the twain, young compan-
ionables, were conversing pleasantly to
pass the time. Trask was interested
in the unique calling of the young lady
and her father and Ada Wallen
learned that once week he made the
trip with a large amount Of ready cash
for city correspondent bank. Her
eyes opened wide as he observed that
there was over fifty thousand dollars
in the heavy clamped box in the cabin.
The two strangers had approached
the wheel. One Of them carried with
him n common tool bag, the other sud-
denly revealed two revolvers.
run the boat against that island
over yonder shut OF the power and
get TO the stern with your passengers
Or we will do some shooting" gruffly
the man with the bag, keep
them lined up, partner" and within
the ensuing next few minutes the
startled Ada and the young bank man
knew that they were in the midst of a
hOld-up. The wheelsman and Captain
were compelled to crowd back between
some benches, held at bay by leveled
weapon. Ada sat pale and inert on
The stool, warned by the rufIian to
make no move or he would show no
In her favor because
she was a woman.
Then his confrere entered the cabin.
They could hear the clinking Of tools
md heavy blows as he began his as (
sault upon the treasure box. Ada
glanced pityingly at Trask. The loss
10 the bank would be great, but no .
lne dared move from under the domi- /
nation Of the armed ruiiian, for It was I
apparent that he was desperate /
character.
Gradually Ada's color returned. Her .
Eyes glOwed with resolution. She was
lot guarded as closely as Trask and .
he wheelsman. She suddenly caught
lp both of the pasteboard boxes,
Knocked in their top against the out
dde Of the cabin, sent one box and
hen the other through window.
,rashing in glass, frame and all. and
rose TO her feet dehantly facing the
lrmed guard He directed a weapon
It her menaclngly. Then IN profound
his hands dropped to his
iide.
For from the cabin there burst
orih the most frlghtful cries Of rage
md distress. The next moment. beat
ng his head and body with his hands
md covered with bees. the occupant
4 the cabin dashed out upon deck and
n a frenzy OF his stinglng torture
prang overheard to relieve himself Of
lis tormenters.
That was the critical moment for
IDA. She seized wooden bar and
one crushing blow at tie
rmed man who, taken of his guard,
~..s N..,-.. IN. d. aHaf