The west shore., July 01, 1887, Page 543, Image 42

IIEIl FIRST CA8B.
513
" I can't imagine how you know which
way I am bound, my friend," responded
the prisoner, with a sort of mild sar
casm. " I know more about you than you
think," answered Mr. Willis, "Thero
now; better save your breath to defend
yourself where you will hare need," ho
added.
" I don't know what you mean," came
in slow, horrified tones from the closet
" I presume not, but you'll find out,"
rejoined Mr. Willis.
The prisoner said no more, and Clara
and her father conversed in subdued
tones, as they watched and waited. Mean
while, Tom galloped in mad haste over
the road, and brought up, in grand style,
before tho door of tho hotel in the nar.
row street, where a knot of men, who
were talking together, turned to see tho
meaning of tho uncommon hurry.
" Whero'sJim Meade? " shouted Tom,
as ho ncared the group.
" The sheriff, you mean? Well, ho's
gone over to Drayton; he"
" lho murderer is caught shouted
Tom again, as ho slipped to the ground
and fastened his saddle moro securely.
" Reckon we knowed that, when wo
seed Jim a leadin' him, an' him a wear
in' his new braclcta ho'd jest had a pres
ent of," drawled a tall, lank Missourian,
sending a mouthful of tobacco juice crit
ically in a diagonal direction.
Tom stared stupidly for an instant,
then faltered out, "Did -did ho say
Meade has got the murderer?"
" That's about it, youngster," replied
a good-natured Maine man, shutting one
eye quizzically.
" Well, if that's true, who in tho na
tion has Cal got? " ciclaimed Torn, help
lessly. Then he rapidly repeatM the
story of how Clara had captured two
men who answered the description given
of tho murderer and his accomplice De
fore he had finished, his words -reht
in a roar of laughter, as tho men throw
back their heads and shouted
"Pretty good l" "Nuckygirl!" "She'll
do!" etc
" Dut what aro wo to do?" asked Tom,
divided between his desiro to laugh and
to cry; for ho was young enough to feel
disgraced by an exhibition of tho ridicu
lous. " Do! Why, ride homo as fast as you
came, and loosen your prisoners, aq
treat 'em to tho lot tho ranch affords,"
called out an Ohio man, giving Tom a
slap on tho shoulder, as he burst into a
hearty laugh, adding: "That girl de
serves tho best husband in tho Rockies,
I vum!"
Tom immediately acted on tho sugges
tion, and Firetly mado gxxl time hornp.
Clara sprang to her feet in excitement,
exacting to seo a string of horiuwn;
but only Tom apjxanyL Ho hastily
dismounted and tied his horso to tho
gate-ixmt, and ran up tho walk
" Let'em loow, quick!" ho shouted.
" You'vo mado a blunder. Tho sheriff's
got tho criminal."
Clara sank on tho top step in au agony
of shamo and mortification. " Is that
truo?" she murmured, faintly.
M Truo! Of courso it is! letter mak
a spread that'll make 'em forget th
jailer in tho cook," added Tom, enough
recovered to joko his thoroughly humil.
iated sister.
Mr. Willis, almot as lxiwi!d'rd as
before, at last understanding affairs,
hastened to the closet, sending Tow It
tho cellar.
Tho stranger emerged from tho tiny
closet in a stab" of inspiration rarely
witneHl ami as ho energetically wij-d
his red fac Mr. Willis jured forth
most profuse ajxdogii's,
"Knough!" cried tho stranger, with
astonishing good humor. MI hard
enough of your conversion in gather
that your daughter Uliered my nephew