Duped By A Girl

Texas migbt truly be callod the "rogues' paradise" in 1850. "Horse dea I ars" - to give thera tlioir own chosen itle - gamblors and counterfeiters, to sy notbing of villains of stilt blacker grades, were predominrsnt, and as a general tbing ruled matters with a high hand. Situated i:oar the bank of one of tbe conflnouts ut' tbo river Brazos were several farms, wliose owners had chosen to eettle tojrether, the batter to defend themselves and property. Their must droaded enemy and scotirge of the country for miles around was a darÍDg desperado known as Jack Wingrow Jauk and his companions built a largo, heavy loghouse, almost against a ïigh bank of clay and sandstone, a few miles distant froin the flrst settlers. But, when the hovise appeared conisleted, work still went on, night and day, the men working by relays. And then, at the end of several months, the etrangers throw off the mask aud appeared in tbeir true colors They helped theinselves to such stook as they most fancied, and whea one settier, Jameis Agden, resisted, a pistol shot sbattored his right arm and left hini a cripple for lile. The ontlaw band grew stronger and more bold astheyencountered but little resistan ce. But Wingrow, king as ho was among his men, hád to succumb' at last, aud what armed torce could not do the bright eyes and pretty, face of a maiden accomplishod. Mabel Craythorne was the only child oí the richest stockgrower of the settlement. Her father had suffered severely by tbe marauding outlaws and was still suffering froiu a bad wound before he gave up in despair. But one day Wingrow caught sight of Mabel, and he did not escape without ininrv. Knowing tbat his life was safe while his men remaiued to avenge hini, he boldly called at the honse of old Cyrus Craythorne and made a proposal. He offered to cease troobling the settlement aud to protect them from other ontlaws provided Mabel should beoome his wife. The indignant reply of the old man did not abash him in the least, and he took his departure, sayingthathe would expect their answer in one month's time. George Mablie wasouly a poor herdsmaifc of her father's, but he was true hearted and brave. They learned to love each other, bnt as yet it was a secret from the father. George muatered up courage at the outlaw 's threat and asked the band of his employer's daughter. As soon as his astonishment would permit Mr. Claythorne bade him be gone, adding that if he would break tip the band of desperadoes he might then renew bis proposal. The youug folks managed to meet, and out of their despair grew a settled plan. Asafirstmove Mabel one daymounted her hrse and rode down the creek. When once beyond sight of the house, her animal's head was turned toward the hill, where stood the outlaw etronghold. Approaching it, she rode more slowly and nerved herself for the trial. "Good inoruin, miss," the outlaw bowed. "How's the family?" "Quite well, thank yon. Mr. Wingrow, I believe?" "Yas; so you know me?" "I saw you at onr house not long since. But I'm very thirsty Can you teil me where I can get some water?" "Thar'ssornefresh intheshauty. I'll git it ef" - "Oh, Mr. Wingrow, please let me go too! I've got such a curiosity to see what it is you keep so secret in thero. Besides, I'm only a girl. I could not do you any harm if I would. " "I don 't? know. The men mightn't likeit."' "Yo;i are in aster. Surely you do not care what they say? I don 't believe you are afraid of what they think!" "Jack Wingrow afraid! Nothe! Let me help you to 'light. " While he placed her a chair and hastencd to fetch the water, Mabel took a survuy of the room. Her eyes dwelt long upon the doorway where Wiugrowhad disappearod. Tbis was apparently the en trance to au underground vault. Then, hearing the steps of the outlaw returnïng, Mabel hastily picked up a tasty morocco belt from the mantel, containiug a brace of richly mouuted pistols. "Oh, Mr. Wingrow, where did you et these? They're just what I've been wanting for so long! You must bring them over some time for fatbér to buy for me - won 't you?" "Do you like 'cm? Efyoudo, they're yourn or anythin else I've got( " eagerly replied Jack, and then, as Mabel hcsitatod, he clumsily buckled them around her Walst. From step to step she led the outlaw on until he repeated his offer, and Mabel hesitated - so admirably that a far more ncuto man than Wingrow would ' bav beeu deceived. "WpII, 1 liardly know. Father has lihh dislike to you that I küow l'.o would uot consent. I should titíiirly lika suoh a Ufe Why, it would be equal to beiug a qneen. " Graoefully oñ'ecting her escape, sho rodo slowly bomeward, with a í ing f-H'liug of disgust, iningled with i alta ti on. Day aftcr day passed on, and while ontwardly eveuts pnrsued their usual , oourso Mabel's plot was progressing idly. Indeed it required all her akill and tact to keep Jack Wingrow in proper subjectiou. But she wa9 equal to the task, and once fairly started in the scberue abe experienced a strango, wild pleasure iu duping the iufatuated outlaw. Georgo had taken bis employer inte their confidenco aud had selected Bevernl othera whom he kuew to be trustworthy, and upon whose aid he relied at the moment of action. The outlaw chiof had at length persuadod her, with great apparout difficnlty, to consent to an elopement. Aocording to tbeir plans, Jaok Wingrow was to appoint himself as guard upon that particular nigbt. Ouly one man was needed, at any time, to act as Kuch, for the cabiu was go strongly built that an entrance could scarcnly be effected by foroe even if undefended. But with a half score stout fellows at hand they conld, as they thought, eiïectnally (icfy auy torce that might be brought agftinst them. Mabel was to arrive about midnight and rap lightly upon the door, Wiugrow would opon, and then, mounting tbeir steeds, they were to leave the cabin to caro for itself until their flightwas discovered. The appointed night carne at length, and all v;is rendy. Mabel aud George, leading their fivo companions, fully armed and resolved to conqner at all rislrs, rode out trom thesettlementandproceeded toward the outlaw stronghold. The men crept as close to the door as tbey dared to. crouching low down in the shade. Thcn Mabel advanced and gavo the signal. A low voico ca! led her by name, and r.s she replied the door opened and Jack Wiugrow emerged. "Hist, don't makenonoise. The men are all asleep. Lot me" - and he strove to embrace the maiden, who avoided him and sstepped back. Like a huugry panther, George Mablie sprang forward. Witbont a struggle Wingrow was thrown down and hastily bound and gagged. Then the settlerB noiselessly entered the cabin and lighted the lampa nntil all within was light as day. The heavy slab door loading into the vault was partially closed and aecnred. Tbree men took their stations beside the entranoe with clubbed rifles, while others stood with ready revolvers commanding the doorway. Then George set up a loud cry of "Firel" The desperadocs flooked to the entrance, aud oue affer anotber Í6Ü like logs, while the young herder coutinned his cries. A wagon was procured, and the prisonors were taken to tbe settlement, whero the ncxt dny thoy ware tried and condemnecl to death. Mr. Craytborno was as good as his woTd, and a weck aftor Mabel became tbo wifeof - uot thepcnnilcssherdsman,