The Bossier banner., 1921-07-28
CHAPTER II.

the Hotel Grand at Iampa there was
the usual crowd of the town sitting in
front OF the Office and Charles Rodgers
lost no time in telling of the hold-up.
The news spread quickly and soon
reached the marshal who was pitching
horse-shoes with the blacksmith.
Madge and Ena- had been in their
room few minutes when a loud knock
sounded at their door,
Upon being hidden enter. the mar
shall introduced himself and walked in.
II have been informed, Miss Morris" !"
began the officer, that you are the
only person who had an opportunity
to see the face of the principal bandit,
therefore, would like to have you
describe him."
For a few moments Madge sat in
silence as If meditating, then speaking
to the officer she said, "He was a big.
strong man about fifty-five years Of
age, very dark complexion, and wore q
black beard. would say he was q
Mexican" AS Madge finished speak
ing she felt as IL Ena's eyes were look
ing at her in startled manner. ID
did you notice anything peculiar
about him?'
Again Madge hesitated. "Yes." she
replied. Il noticed he limped."
Anything else?"
Nothing more"
"He exchanged revolvers with you,
did he not?
ssHe did"
'sWill you kindly let me see the re-
volver he gave your"
Madge produced the pistol. The
officer looked 1t over carefully and
found it nothing more than an ,ordi-
nary automatic revolver that had un-
doubtedly seen much service, as the
blue steel was badly worn in places
'sDo you care If / keep this gun for
a while?" asked the marshal.
Indeed do," was the reply; ''it be-
longs to me until ! can get possession
of my own"
"very well. Miss, I think that will
be all"
No sooner had the door shut him
from sight. and his footsteps could be
heard going down stairs, than Ena
turned to Madge. "Why. Madge Nor
ris, what In the world Is the matter.
with your Can it be that you have
lost your senses? You told me the
bahdit was young, with clear-cut
smooth features, and distinctly saw
that his hair was light, and as for tile
limping you know very well that he
walked like soldier"
Don't, Ena Please don't! I can't
understand it myself" said Madge as
she intently examined her newly ac-
Quired revolver.
The first thing Madge did the follow.
ing morning was to inquire IL the BAN
dts had been caught. The proprietor
Of the hotel said the posse was still
out but as the description she had
given had been sent over the entire
country the bandits would undoubtedly
be landed soon.
+ Madge appeared to be in the very
sbest of spirits and that day she and
Ena took horseback ride out to ,he
Morris coal mine where they were
welcomed by superintendent Elliot.
Under the careful guidance Of Jim
Elliot, the two girls were shown about
the mine and were quite enthusiastic
about everything they saw. OF course,
Elliot had heard of the hold-up and
In speaking Of it to Madge said: 'You
young ladies' were most fortunate to
be let off so lightly. as those men un-
doubtedly belong to the McCarty gang
and they certainly are bad ones"
1t was not long before Madge mo-
ticed the furtive gIances that the
young superintendent was casting at
Ena. Neither could she help observ-
ing that Ena appeared to be deeply In
terested In everything said and done