Smyrna times., 1932-05-04
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
HIS PROMISE FULFILLEDF
BY Edwart Parrett


at the small station on the out
skirts of ST. Albans. Bob Jefferies
swung himself from the engine cab
and for moment gazed ahead,
where directly in his path, vast Sec
tions of the forest burned fiercely.
The night agent stood on the plat
form, a slip of paper in his left
hand, a revolver in his right. bad
news, Bob." he called warily as
Jefferies approached.
The engine driver sprang up be-
side him. "Yes7 But how's the
trackf Can get through tonight?"
Then noting the revolver he de-
manded: whats the trouble7"
The night agents face was
fraught with anxiety. "This wire
is from the chief" he replied. "You
are TO put No. Is on the siding here.
1t is impossible to proceed further.
And say !"-he stepped closer, his
low voice harsh with anger-"Two
bandits held up the State bank at
Barton this afternoon and one of the
murderous devils shot down little
girl in cold blood They were seen
to jump your train as you passed
through Barton"
Jefferies muttered a fierce oath.
"Well. one thing is certain" he
growled. IF | brought them this
far. they won't travel much further
tonight !"
I'm going to find out If they
came" declared the agent.
Jefferies leaped down to the rails.
Wait a moment !" he cried. "I'll
put the old bus on the siding. then
I'll Join you
Some five minutes later, two men
skunk from the shadows across the
tracks and under cover Of the noise
made by the shunting train hastened
up the road leading to the village.
The elder man. Tom Guthrie, had
been wounded in fighting off their
pursuers at Barton. He turned
weakly to his companion and asked.
where are we. Bill?"
I'm Canada. believe" replied
Ryerson.
Lets move" muttered Guthrie
I'm getting worse" Without warn
ing, he fell heavily to the road
As Ryerson lifted up the wound
ed man. a shout rang out from the
station.
Guthrie stirred painfully. They've
seen usl Hide me somewhere !
They must not take me alivel"
Ryerson perceived the dim out
lines of an isolated barn just ahead
and close to the road. With a
grunr. he threw the other across his
shoulder. and trudged toward the
structure.
After q silence that seemed inter
minable. Guthrie opened his eyes,
"Bill?"
"Yes. Tom?"
"Binl wanted that money for
my daughter, Bessie. wanted to
give her the things In life her
mother never had And now that
that other girl-so like my Bess-
deadl" His voice died in a whisper.
Guthrie strove to sit up. 81 want
you to bury me in grave on which
little girls will place flowers and
pray over mel Promise mel
Quick !"
sU nronise Won Tom
The frail body relaxed suddenly
and was STILL
A streak of light stole across the
eastern sky. Outside. under the
waning light Of the stars, Ryerson
mopped the sweat from his brow
Stumbling across the road. he
opened q rusty little gate, which
lead directly into a graveyard A
small church-like building loomed
through the mist. he entered the
building and carefully struck a
match. His eyes cleaned as he sur
veyed the interior of the single
roor Then. softly closing the door.
he retraced his steps to the barn.
III IHE q lew
hours later. the grounds of the
cemetery were packed with human
ity. Most of the Inhabitants of St
Albans were there. from the oldest
70 the youngest. Two days previous
ly their school had burned to the
ground. snuffing out the lives of
eight pupils and their teacher.
The children stood In groups
around a single. large grave. into
which nine coffins had just been
placed Eight of the caskets were
small and of uniform length. The
ninth, however. was full size and
containing as It did, the charred. un-
recognizable remains of a young
woman. bore mute evidence to her
desperate courage.
The grave was slowly filled in.
On the edge of the crowd a tall.
bare-h headed stranger watched the
ceremony intently. He saw line
of little girls approach and place
flowers on the long mound Of fresh
earth.
The stranger turned swiftly, as a |
voice hissed in his ear. "You are
under arrest Come quietlyP