The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-19

directly opposite.n To the regret Of th,
alarmed drummer, the three were tn
only passengers. He surveyed the vii
lains more closely, nor were his fears q
all allayed by observing the muzzle o
an ugly looking revolver protruding from
the inside coat-pocket Of the Major
He had no doubt now that their inten
ton was to rob, and, perhaps, murde
him at some point on the lonely Eaton
vile road. He looked warily out o
the stage window. Only a wide gloom,
forest stretched away in front. As thu
expected time of attack drew near thu
drummer began to grow desperate. H,
watched narrowly the slightest move
ment Of his companions, and had, thu:
far. repealed every attempt at converse
ton. Soon the stage entered a deep cut
in the side Of the mountain, and thu
progress was slow. The villains whis
pered together. = III.
~"The time has come" thought James
Story. edging toward the stage door.
mo, ye don't" exclaimed the Major
making quick movement in the same
direction.
As be did so, there was rafting o.
steel in his pocket.
Knives" thought the drummer.
Eyed better keep quiet and not give
Us any trouble, cause if We do it'll be
the worse for ye." said the Major.
James Story glanced timidly at the
huge pocket containing the weapons.
70, yell git 'em soon enough; ye
needn't git excited" he exclaimed, as he
saw the direction of his victims gaze.
The drummer shuddered. His worst
fears were to be realized. These mer
meant more than robbery.
ave amt in no hurry, observed the
Major, there's fun ahead and we want tc
see it. We'llewsit till they all git there
before we make the strike" continued
the Major
"Alli' thought Story. "Then there
is more of this robber gang, and these
white-livered towards are only awaiting
their pals. .. -.
Slowly the stage logged through the
cut, out upon the open highway, and on
toward Earonyille, until the village
church spires came in view. Although
it was hardly noon when the stage left
N, so rough and toilsome had been
the way that the short December day
was nearly closed when the traveller:
reached their destination.
II wonder what the villains will do
now said the drummer TO himself, a.
he alighted at the door of the village
inn.
He had barely touched the ground
before he felt strong arms thrown
around him, and he was lifted bodily
from the earth.
"a pretty one, you are! said the as
sailant, setting him down, and seizing
his traveling-bag in one hand, while
with the other he attempted to drag him
up the steps of the hotel. why didn't
you come last night?'
81 couldn't, really" stammered Story
"the stage had gone, and"
He stopped short in surprise. The
man before him was perfect stranger,
A good.looking, well-dressed Young man
OF twenty-five or whereabouts he was
but James Story had never looked on
his face before.
80, don't stop to make any apollo
gies," said the stranger. Hurry up;
it's nearly time to dress, and don't keep
Rose waiting tonight"
81 think there is some mistake
lie commenced, but the stranger inter,
rupted.
"Come, what are you standing there
staring at? If want your old friend
Ned Talbot, I should say you'd left yonr
wits behind you
"But, really, | cannot
Eyes, you can, too, and if You don't
come along I'll just carry You up.
"But | have some bills to pay, ex,
postulated Story, stepping back in dis
may.
BILLS, fiddlestick As if you could
be bothered with such trash on your
wedding.night. Come, I'll not stand
such nonsense any longer -.
And Selling the astonished drummer
by the arm, he dragged him into the
hotel, up a long flight Of stairs, and in
to a pleasant, coy room upon the
second floor of the building. AS he was
disappearing through the door of the
bar-room below James Story looked
back in search of his suspicious com.
panions of the stage-coach. He saw
them quietly seated in one corner
watching him in fiendish Civilizations.
Was this a well-baited trap to decoy
him into their coils I? But the stranger
who had called himself Ned Talbot gave
him little time for reflection.
Come, cheer up, James, my boy.
You don't look much like man on his
wedling.night, and about to be married
othe handsomest girl,in Eatonville. II
| was going to marry Rose Thornton
you can bet wouldn't wear that woe
BECOME look"
A sudden light flashed in upon the
hitherto darkened mind ofthe drummer.
There was to be wedding in Eatonville
that night, and he had been mistaken
for the bridegroom. He remembered
having shared his seat in the car the
day previous with a young man with
whom he had become intimate before
the end of their Journey. The young
man boreto him a striking resemblance.
He was going to Eatonville, and to be
married but he had unaccountably
disappeared on reaching n, and
the bride and wedding guests were dis,
appointed. Immediately novel and
somewhat startling idea occurred to
James Story. Why could he not per
senate the bridegroom 1t was un'
A.. lottor ,vo,ll he thora tho