The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-03-03
THE STAGE DRIVERS WIFE.

Four bay horses dashed in fine style up to
the door of the inn, pulling behind them the
gorgeous red stage, which swayed and reeled
and rocked in a fashion that made the mole
nervous passengers vince and shiver
Hollister threw his reins to the stable boy,
and went into tie house He was bluff.
big hsted fellow-rather rough looking in his
wolf skin overcoat and broad visored cap
Nobody ever doubted the kindness of heart
under that unpublished exterior, however
Now rs he tramped through the big hall on
his way to the bar room, he paused at the
sight of female figure in one dim corner
with her face dropped into both hands, and
her whole attitude one of sorrow and despair
The figure was slender and young, clad i'm n
well worn gray suit, and the hands upon
which the brown head was bowed were white
and delicate
Il beg your pardon, ma'am, are you In
trouble? Can he of service to vnl ."
Then the girl looked mp, and Hol lister rec
ogniZed the daughter of a man who had been
at the inn for several weeks--a man whom
the driver had no hesitation in pronounclng
an advcnturer and blackleg.
He had nited the girl on that night when
he had first seen her-when he had brougbt
them out from the city; for she seemed a
lady, with her quiet ways and her wistruI
eyes, and not at all fitted for a life of a B2-
hemlanlsm, such as her father was leading
her.
She looked up, and meeting the expression
of kindIimess in Frank HOLSTERS clear gray
eyes, she struggled moment for self-control,
and then bnrst into tears.
Frank squared his broad shoulders before
her in order to screen her from the curious
gaze of any who might pass through.the hall.
and waited in silence.
Presently the girl raised her head once
more, looked at him with tear stained ewes.
and said with quiyering lips: 81 am in trou-
Die sir. Yours are the first friendly words
l have heard today. My father''-here a
crimson flush dyed herfar brow-"my father
mas left me; where he has gone do not
KNOW L am absolutely alone among stran
gers, and our bill here is not paid"
For one instant Frank looked al her doubt
fully, and then, with a sudden rush of self
shame and chivalrv, his hand went into his
breast pocket and drew therefrom a big
leather pocket book
The girl made al Indignant gesture and
looked at him with wide-opened, naughty
eyes.
Sir l scarcely expected such an insult. "
Nhereupon Frank began hurried and
indignant repudiatiOn of her insinuation. He
insult woman He had the dearest mother
and the sweetest little sister in the world
away OF there in the eastern States pravinp
for him
Praps l amt dainty In my choice of
words as l might be. lady. Iama rough feI-
low at the best; but 1 am dreadful soft
hearted where woman is concerned. If
you choose to look on me rs a friend and A
straight man-one that never goes back on
MS word you shan't be disappointed. Now.
then, how can serve vouq"
The big pocketbook had disappeared and
the girls face softened at his rough gaHantrv
She extended one little hand frankly.
Forgive me, sir; know that Won are all
that you seem. / cannot accent anv recu-
mary aid from you or any one. The landlord
mas offered me situation as table girl.
shsii accept it, and in that way pay our in
deotedness. Thanks for your kindness.
shall not forget it,
With little fitting smile she slipped past
him and went swiftly up the dark stairway
while the driver proceeded to the barroon
where the men were talking, laughing. sn,,l,.
ing and drinking
Here Hollister listened to a detailed ac-
count of the disappearance of Colonel Pressv.
interSpeFsed with various comments concern
ing him and his daughter Cora.
Pressy was StIematized as a cheat n villain.
and SpOnge-anything, everything they
called him but an honest man. There vyera
some expressions of sympathy for the girl.
but it WAS easy to see she was not liked. Miss
Pressy had held herself too far aloof from
every one IN the house TO win the approval Of
this free and easy western community.
One ioutish looking fellow, leaning against
'he bar rail, remarked, with sneering grin
THAT gals mighty stuck up little critter
reckon she won't put on any more airs with
me - and he sent a stream of tobacco Juice
IN very skillfuI manner straight into the
mouth of a spittoon which occupied the mid.
die of the ROOM
Hollister, who had been a silent listener
until now, crossed Ieisurely to this extrsor-
dinary marksman, and. striking him light
oiow upon the shoulder, said. evenly and
distinctly: Look here, Jerry, Won don't
want to talk any more like that about Miss
Pressy"
Coin to marry her, Frank?"
Il expect to- replied Frank. coolly. as he
he turned to select a cigar from the case
There were no more insinuations against
Cora Pressy in his hearing. The daupbterof
an unkGownadventurer, no matter how thor.
ougi lady she might seem, and the sweet
hes" OF ehs Jolly, keen-syed, stroog armed. !