The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-04-30
The Lady Sheriff
and the Bandit
By r. RAY BAKER.
ia Sy Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)


against it. The man started at the
noise and turned half around IN ms
chair. which was close to a nrepiace
In which log blazed.
She leveled a revolver at the ihaii'
She was painting, probably from eA-
element, but managed to observe III
fairly businesslike tones:
you're my prisoner. DON'T ua'e
move"
There was no levity in her de-
meanOr.
you're under arrest-for holding
I'M the First National bank.
The man laughed. Not only Ola
his even, white teeth laugh, but SO aio
his gray eyes. 1000,
"Bv gingo! The lady sheriff."
And he laughed again. But the de-
termined look in the black orDs thal
| sighted down the barrel of the re-
volver caused his countenance 10 uh-
| dergo a grave change 80.
Her riding suit was covered WIFI
loose snow, and tiny icicles hung from
the brim of her broad hat and from
her black tresses.
you're my prisoner" she repeated
sand I'll have to deliver you 10 JUS
tice-even though you are Jim Wheei-
err For the first time her voice fal-
tered. Int the arm that leveled the
weapon did not.
I'm glad 1 found you out, jim.
Really. l never should have suspected
Won were such q desperate character
No wonder you were displeased wnen
was elected; no wonder you scoffed
at a woman-especially one OF my
youth, you said-holding such posi-
ton i'm this wild country! YOU In
tended. when we were married, to lead
n lawless life, and expected me TO DC
your accomplice, no doubt. I'm glad
found you out before it was toe
late"
There was a peculiar look In th'
mans eyes that might have meant al
most anything. 1t was rather whlm
steal expression, although other emo
, lions were expressed.
"Rut. Jessie" he protested, ant
began to rise slowly from his chair
y "Don't dare get upr' she fiared
!, "T'n shoot-even if it is you, Jim"
81 was just going to offer GU TN
J. chair" he drawled. you're covere
with snow and you must be tired; TO
you've tramped far, no doubt"
'Thanks, I'll stand" she returned
changing the gun from her right I
her left hand, because the former wa
3 tired. Tts true, Jim, I'm cold an
D. tired: for l followed your footprint
e through that heavy snow, and l ma
D. TO travel fast so the fresh sno
!, wouldn't obliterate them before
10 reached the end of the trail"
III He remained half seated and ha
standing, resting knee on the chair
"Come on, sit down." he insiste
I'm under arrest, you say. Vel
to well, I'll be good-but sit down."
m She permitted him to walk aero
e the room. while she, still covering hi
ny unanswered so she could take Il
III place he had vacated.
On "Moye over in front of me-" she
ss rected and he obeyed. She relax
somewhat in order to enjoy Z
warmth, but still kept an eye on hin
"Jim," she said suddenly, "why d
or you do it? Did you need the none
tly or did you Intentionally put me in II
tie dilemma? Jim, you ought to real
ed didn't mean 1t when l said evel
ne. thing was over between us. But
ON really was angry because you object
to my running for this office, a
when, Just as i was feeling elat
over my victory at the polls, you s,
1t was no job for a lady,\f fiared
~ and told you to leave me and ne'
come back. But of course, rea
didn't mean it."
'ep "You told me to do someth
Z worth while, to show that man v
." superior to woman. You said
De- claimed woman was inferior, althOr
/ did nothing of the sort"
"And so you went and held uI
bank" she said, scornfully. 1T
red was your idea of something wo
at while. Jim, really / cared for y
Mi but Of course now"
for. "Of course, now" he repeated,
Of turned his eyes full upon her.
gun you're my prisoner" she remi
ed, her jaw hardening. Il must
get what you once meant to me.
sheriff Of Amazon county, and
nm sworn to uphold the law. BY ca
ato. ing the bank bandit right at the s
bi,o of my term I'll prove my fitness
the the position. Further than that.
ana prove woinan's right to take her p
and on the same plane with man."
Without replying he reached
pocket and brought out a sacl
tobacco from which he filed pipe
"Object If / smoker" he inqui
'en pausing before scratching mattel
the wall
sap Certainly not" she said. "Sn