New Britain herald., 1925-01-22

ton committee in waiting In case that attempt were made. Therefore he had picked out the hest men in the valley to fight the fight. For one thing, they would confer a great obligation on him: again, they were upholding the law; and yet again, they should all be literally paid for the nights work or waiting - if they would accept his money.
 Money, however, was not what they wanted. Carney saw their eyes light at the prospect of battle, and grim a fighter as Joe Macarthur was, he knew that there would be more than he could do to meetAsuch warriors as these .
 No, the entire gang would go down full of lead unless they were forewarned. And, since some of them were sure 10 be wounded and not killed outright, before they died they were certain to give the name of the cashier who had first prom ised 10 betray the bank and had then betrayed his tools.
 And this would as effectually ruin the reputation of Sam Carney as if he himself had been caught in an act of theft. Such were the reflec- tions which filled his mind as he made his way toward the Thompson shack. And they so excited him that he began to push the horse forward rclentlessly. But when he reached the shack, there was no sign of any one near it.
 He lighted matches and by their light he examined the ground around the shack. All the hoof- marks were old which had trav- eled that trail which had once been a comfortable wagon road. No party of hard riders had gone by that way this night.
 He sat down at the door of the old cabin and began his vigil.
 But he must not be found by any chance wanderer sitting in front of this deserted cabin. It would make i a strange story 10 be told in the town the next day. And Carney was in no situation to have stories about meetings spread abroad. |
 He changed his place. There was a cluster of saplings, growing thick, | about fifty yards from the house. | It was on rising ground, and in the l starlight he could sweep all the ap- | breaches to the cabin with his eyes. | To these saplings he removed him self, tethered the horse in the midst of the trees, and began the walt.
 He consulted his watch. It was still carly in the night, and the rob bers were not apt to reach the cabin before two in the morning, at the earliest.
 It was a pleasant place and q pleasant night. This evening the air was soft, the stars were bright, and he song of far off coyotte gave a weird and thrillingly romantic touch 0 the moment. The mountains, too, 1ow that he was so close to their ect. were more imposing than ever, put there was more beautiful majesty about them. He decided hat he must unmake his mind bout many things, and just as he lad discovered new point of view bout Oscar Fern, he must look Igain upon all of his old precon- options. And so, with these mild thoughts, r. le was lulled fast asleep! He walk k ned again, with his heart pound- { ng. and a wild sense. of alarm in lis brain.
 He whipped out his watch. The !; lrst match broke in his trembling ' lngers. But the second gave light ,y which he saw that it was three ''clock. He stood up still and traight, with a stifIed cry. He had lept at his post and they had gone y him.
 God help me and them!" noaned Carney. and ran out ipto the rail.
 There, on his knees, he lighted nore matches. And instantly he saw he footprints. It looked 10 his in- experienced eyes as if twice ten lorses had passed. He turned down he road. There was nothing in Y light. The moon haze closed to- ;ether not so far away. 1 He raced back to his waiting , lorse. loosed the rope, flung him elf into the saddle, and spurred I with might and main for the town. 1 Ie had an hour if they did not , 'egin their work until four. Al vhole hour. And that was enough O reach the town if the horse held ut!
 (To Be Continuetl)