Deming graphic., 1921-04-12
Quite a Heroine
By ALvAH ,. GARTH

Erwin Trask did net 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
)oxes which she set carefully upon q
stool.
Just in time. Captain Taft" she
remarked TO the rotund, bustling own
IT Of the launch. "Will you stop for
me at Ashton7''
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. Bartonr
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 discov-
cred that this was not, as he had at
first supposed, a familiar endearing
spithet. She was called "honey girf'
because her father operated II small
farm specializing in honey and bees.
He reared and dealt in a rare and de@
slrable breed Of italian bees and
shipped as well as delivered them all
over the country. The two boxes me
girl had brought aboard probably held
some Of these. which she was taking
TO a customer at a 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
,raversed part OF the river that
broadened out. with little Islands here
and there. The captain had gone up
close 10 the wheesman when the craft
entered this stretch, as II the tortuous
course demanded careful attention.
Trask had never seen the girl he
fore and the captain had motioned tC
him as he went about his duties.
"Mr. Trask Of the Byron bank, Mis-
Warren" ne said. ave have two
treasures aboard this trip-the bank
big iron box and you, honey girl"
Very soon the twain. young compan
lonables, were conversing pleasantly 4
pass the time. Trask was interested
] In the unique calling Of the young lad.
: and her father, and Ada Waller
|. learned that once a week he made TIT
trip with a large amount Of ready casl
for city correspondent bank. He
eyes opened wide as he observed tina
there was over fifty thousand dollar
In the heavy clamped box in the cabin
| The two strangers had approaches
the wheel. One Of them carried witt
him a common tool bag. the other sud
denly revealed two revolvers.
| run the boat against that islan'
over yonder. shut of the power ant
yet TO the stern with your passenger
or we will do some shooting" gruftl!
ordered the man with the bag. keel
them lined up, partner" and withil
the ensuing next few minutes tn
startled Ada and the young bank maj
knew that they were in the midst OF
hold.up. The wheelsman and Captain
were compelled to crowd back betwee
some benches. held at bay by a levele
/ weapon. Ada sat pale and inert o
the stool, warned by the rufiian I
make no move or he would show q
| discrimination In her favor becaus
she was a woman.
| Then his confrere entered the cabir
They could hear the clinklng OF tool
and heavy blows as he began his a.
! sault upon the treasure box, Al
: glanced pitylngly at Trask. Pc los
20 the bank would be great, but u
one dared move from under the dom
nation OF the armed rufiian, for 1t wa
apparent that he was despera'
character.
Gradually Ada's color returned. HI
eyes glowed with resolution. She VIZ
NOT guarded as closely as Trnsk an
7 the wheelsman. She suddenly caugl
up both Of the pastebeard boxe
Knocked in their top against the ou
side Of the cabin, sent one box al
then the other through windo'
crashing in glass. frame and ALL ar
arose TO her feet defantly facing Il
armed guard. He directed a weapS
nt her menaclngly Then IN profour
amazement his hands dropped to d
side.
For from the cabin there bur'
forth the most frightful cries OF RAJ
and distress. The next moment bea
ing his head and body with his nam
and covered with bees. the occupa
Of the cabin dashed out upon deck al
In a frenzy OF his stinging tortu
sprang overheard to relieve himself
his tormenters.
That was the critical moment I
Ada. She seized wooden bar al
| delivered one crushing blow at q
4 armed man who, taken on his guar
u went down like a shot
I. LaaA