The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-09
BRET HARTE'S NEW STORY.
FLIp-i CiLIFORNTi ROMANCE.



ak months they bclaaguercd tho Coast Range
with afternoon sortics OF white hosts that rcgu-
larry swept over the mountain crest and were as
regularly beaten back again by the lSvcllod
lanccs of the morning sun. For six months That
white veil which had once hidden Lance llar-
riott In ito folds returned without him. For
that amiabc outlaw no longer needed disguise
or hiding place. The swift wave OF pursuit
that had dashed him on the summit had fallen
back and the next day was broken and scat
tered. Before the week had passed n regular
judicial inquiry relieved his crime OF premedi-
tation. and showed it to be q rude duel Of two
armed and equally desperate men. From n Sc
cure vantage in n seacuHst town Lance chal-
hnged trial by his peers. and. as an already
prejudged man escaping from his executioners,
obtained achangc of venue. Regular justice,
seated 10y the calm Pacific. found the action OF
an interior. irregular jury rash and hasty.
Lance was liberated on bail
The Postmaster at Fishers Crossing had just
received the weekly mail and express from
San Francisco, and was engaged in examining
It. II consisted OF live letters and two parcels.
OF these three Of the letters and the two parcels
were directed to Flip. 1t was not the first time
during the last six months that this eNtraordi-
nary event had occurred and the curiosity OF
the Crossing was duly excited. As Flip had
never called personally for the letters or parcels
but had sent one Of her wild irregular scouts
or henchmen to bring them. and as she was
seldom seen at the Crossing or on the stage
road that curiosity was never satisfied. The
disappointment to tho Postmaster-a man past
the middle age-partook OF a sentimental ma
ture n. looked at the letters and parcels he
looked at his watch: it was yet early. he
could return by noon. He again examined the
addresses they we're in tho same handwriting
oil lntt 10 md UNA mad
MP, he would deliver them himself. The poetic.
soulful side OF his mission was dellcately indi-
Gated by a pale blue nccktie. u clean shirt. and
q small package Of ginsernuts, of which Flip
was extrayaganty fond.
The common road to Farley's Rancho
by the stage turnpike to a point below the Gin
and Ginger Woods. where the prudent horse
man usually left his beast and followed the in
tersecting trail afoot. 1t was here that the
Postmaster suddenly observed on the edge OF
the wood the figure of an elcRantly-dressed
woman: she was walking slowly and apparent
~ at her ease. one hand held her skirts lightly
rathered between her gloyed fingers. the other
slowly SWING a riding whip Was il picnic OF
some people from Monterey or Santa Cruz?
The spectacle was novel enough to Justify his
coming nearer, Suddenly she withdrew in the
wood: he lost sight of her: she was gone. He
remembered however that Flip was still to be
seen. and as the steep trail was beginning to
tax all his energies he was fain to hurry Tor
ward The sun was nearly vertical when he
turned into the canon. and saw the bark roof OF
the cabin beyond. At almost the same moment
Flip appeared. flushed and painting in the road
before him.
You've got something for me-" she said,
pointing to the parcel and letter. Completely
taken by surprise the Postmaster mechani-
cally yielded them up. and as instantly regret
tedit They're paid for" continued Flip OBJ
serving his hesitation. That's So" STAN
mered the official Of the Crossing seeing his
last chance OF knowing tho contents Of the
parcel vanish: but thought ez it's valooable
package maybe We might want to examine it
TO see that it was all right afore ye receipted
for It." IN risk It," said Flip. coolly. and II
Il amt right I'll let ye know"
AZ tho Girl seemed inclined to retire with her
property the Postmaster was driven to other
conversation. "We amt had the pleasure Of
seeing you down at the Crossing for month o
Sundays" he began. with airy yet pronounced
Ealantry. Some folks lot on you was keepin
company with some Teller like Bijah Brown. and
you were getting little too set up for the
Crossing" The individual here mentioned be-
ing the county butcher. and supposed 20 exhibit
his HOMELESS affection for Flip by making long
and useless divergence from his weekly route TO
enter the canon for orders" Flip did not deem
Il necessary 10 reply. Then | allowed ez how
you might have company" he continued; Il
reckon there's some city folks up at the sum-
NIT. l saw mighty smart fash'n'ble gal ca
vorting round He'd no end O. style and fancy
fxins. That's my kind. tell you. l Just
weaken on that sort O. gal" he continued in
the firm belief that he had awakened Flip's
jealousy. as he glanced at her well-worn home
spun froek. and found her eyes suddenly fxed
on his own. Strange l amt got to see her
yet" she replied coolly. shouldering her parcel
and quite ignoring any sense Of obligation to
him for his extra-official act. But you
might get to see her at the edge Of the Gin and
Ginger Woods" he persisted feeby in a last
effort to detain her; e II you'll take pdsedr
there with me-" Flip's only response was to
walk on toward the cabin. whence with vague
complimentary suggestion of "droppn' in to
pass the time o day" with her father. the Post
master meekly followed.
The paternal Farley. once convinced that his
daughters new companion required no Pc
al pta ham