The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-08-27
THE ROAD AGENT.

Ny route. which was the only road
between the towns OF Ire.on aud Ches-
ter. lay for thirty mile. through an TN
broken wilderness. The track he'd been
badly Gu. to pieces by recent rains, and
my progress was much slower than WAS
either safe or pleasant. Sunset found
nae many miles from my destination.
and began TO reflect on the problb;l-
ity Of nights lodging in the wood, ir
no very comfortable frame Of mind.
My horse stumbled so constantly IN
the increasing darkness that was
forced at length to allow him to pick
his way al a slow walk. had arrived
at q particularly rough part Of the
road, and halted to make sure that no
pitfall lay hidden 10 the obscurity be-
yond. when form sprang out of the
bushes and stood beside me. In the
dull light could perceive that it Was
O small. slightly built man. clad in
shabby garments with . broad slouched
hat concealing his face, and he held q
pistol 10 close proximity to my head.
What do you want" l ssked, with
wha. composure ! could muster.
Your money" wss the answer
Fling i. down into the road and ride
on"
The voice vas singularly sweet for u
msn-s ruffisn at that-aHd there was
u ,r-mor 10 it that belied his threaten
ing air.
THE man is . coward" said to my.
self; then aloud. ''Suppose l refuse to
comply with your very reasonable re-
quest. what then ;"
II shall blow your brains out" WAS
the reply. Throw me your money.
and DO quick about it"
raised my hand from my side as il
to comply with bis dsmand; but in
stead of doing ~ | suddenly lifted my
riding whip and brought it down upon
the temple Of my waylayer. The blow
Was q powerful one. aud he rolled under
my horses feet without sound.
Springing trom my saddle TO erspple
with him. found him PROSTATE and
insen.ibls, with the blood lowing CO.
piously from an ugly wound in the
forehead.
In the act Of lifting his head upon my
arm. his ha, fell off, and coil of lux
urlunt brown hair fell over my arm
Much .-tonisbed Ht this bent over
the lfcless body. and bcheld u pale,
be.utifu. face. ~i.h small, delicate fea-
tures. the expression upon which. even
in uncoDsciou- ness. was that of min
gled sadness and despair. My assailaut
was II woman. young and bearing traces
Of refinement about her despite her
rough male attire.
After a little search | discovered the
weapon with which she had threatened
me. II WAS All old pistol. broken and
unloaded With an impulse that | did
not stop TO question. thrust it in my
pocket. Then Iexamined the wound |
inflicted. 1t was a slight one. but
would leave lifelong scar upon her
temple.
What should such a woman be doing
in this desolste region! Whot crisis
Of misfortune had driven her TO an act
SO dangerous and uuwomanly: There
was no time to reflect upon the matter
for she stirred slightly aud faint moan
of pain came through her pale lips.
With sense Of deep remorss for tae
violence mad done the poor girl, |
bound up her wound with my handker
chief and slipped good portion of the
money had about me into the pocket
of her coat. felt that her need must
he desperate indeed.
After moment her eyes opened. and
she gazed wildly around.
What has happened" ?" she said. con
fusedly. Where is my father"
Then she gazed at the ~onderingly.
"Oh, I remember" she cried in
heart rending accent. "Ob. sir. if you
knew why did it! LIE. NE go to my
father pray. prey. let me go!'
You shall" said l, soothiugly; IL
will take you to him, for you are no.
able to walk alone Poor child it wa,
u mistake and l was very brutal. Say
no more, but lean on me-"
She obsyed in silence and singing my
horses bride over my arm. l led her
down the road until she paused before
q miserable hut, whose battered aspec.
and unlighted windows gave sorrowful
evidences Of the poverty Of the inmates.
A. l released her she suddenly seized
my hand. and gazing up into my face
sppssliugly. broke into passion of
tears.
Il understand you." said. mo one
shalt ever know what has occurred TO-
night from my lips. No wrong has
been done. except through my violence;
and l hope you will forgive. Now 60
10 your father"
Waving my hand in farewell. l
sprnng upon my horse and rode away.
Cautious inquiry in the next town
elected the fact that tte hut hsd seen
was occupied by An old man of the
name Of Windsor and his daughter
J6lis. They had come from the East
some three years previous. and had ev-
identity seen better days. Even now.
miserably poor rs they were. they pre-
served dingy, aristocrstic seclusion.
So that their neighbors knew little
about them. How they lived my
informant could not guess. The father
had been in feeble health for lorg
time. ye, the daughter. q fragile. deli
cate girl, had found the means 10 sup
port him.
One evening. during a reception ct
house of friend. l observed among the
guests lady whose face seemed strange
ly fsmilisr 10 me Where l had me.
her before I could not remember; but
fhera wAs somathiny in her apneafance