The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-05-25
THE STA AGE-DRTyETc's WIFE

to the door Of the inn, pulling behind then
the gorgeous red stage, which swaved an,
reelea and rocked In fashion that mad
the more nervous passengers vince an.
sbiver.
HOLSTER threw his retns to the stabl
boy, and went into the house. He was
/ bluff, big-fisted felIoW-ratier rough look
/ ing in his wolf-skin overcoat and broad
Eisored cap. Nobody ever doubted Ii.
kindness Of heart under that unpublished
exterior, however.
Now, as he t1anped through The big hal
on bis way 20 the bar-roorn, he paused a
At the sight Of female figure il one din
| corner, with her face dropped into botl
hands, and her whole attitude one Of sor
row and despair The figure was slender
and young, clad il we'll worn gray suit
and the hands on which tile brown head
was bowed were white and delicate.
II beg your pardon, ma'am. Are you il,
trouble? Can be Of service to yel?"
Then the girl looked up, and Holljstel
recognized the daughter OF man who haC
been at the inn for some weeks-a man
whom the driver had no hesitation in
chasing as an adyenturer and backleg.
He had pitied the girl on that night
when he had first seen her-when he had
brought them out from the city; for she
seemed a lady, with her quiet ways and hel
Wistful eyes, and not at all fitted for life
leading her.
She looked up and, meeting :ha expires
sion Of honest kin3i;ness in Frank Hollis
t4r's clear gray eyes, size struggled d mo-
ne!st for self-control, and tIicn burst int
tears.
Frank squared his broad shoulders be-
fore her in order TO screen her from the
curious gaze Of any who might pass
through the hall, and waited ii silence.
Presently the girl raised her head once
more, looked at hjrn with tear-stained
eyes, and said, with qnivo1ing lips Il am
IN trouble, sir. Yours are the FIRST friend
3y words / have heard to-day. Ny father
Here crimson f1ua1 dyed leg fair brow
my father has l@f, ne; where II has gone
jot:or know. am absolutely alone here
anonG Strangers, end our bill l,era is not
Daid.''
For ore instant Frant; looked at her
3onbttuliy, and then, with a sudden rush
of seIf-shama and chiyairy, his E1and went
.Hto Ills breast pocket and drew therefrotn
big leather pocketbook.
liIe girl made u little indignant gesture,
HDd looked at him with wide~opened
hanghty eyes.
''siF. I scarcely expected an insult"
Whereupon Frank began hurried and
Indignant reputation Of l1er insnuation.
4 e insult a woman He who had the dear
est mother and the sweetest little sister in
the world, away off there III the eastern
states, praying for him."
''P'raps amt SO dainty in my choice
Of words as / might he, lady. / am
rough fellow at best; but I'm dreadful
where woman is concerned
Il you choose to look on me as friend and
i straight man-one that never goes back
on his word-you shan't be disappointed.
Now, then, how can I serve yeu:"
The big pocketbook had disappeared,
and the girls face softened at his rough
galIantry. She extended one little hand
frankly.
Forgive me, sin; know that you are
III that you seem. | cannot accept any
oecuniary aid from you Or any one. The
landlord has offered me a situation as table
rirl ] shall acceptit. and in that way can
)ay our Indebtedness. Thanks for yom
zindness. shall not forget it,
With little fitting smile she slipped
oast him and went swiftly mp tile dark
stairway, while the driver proceeded to the
,arroom, where the men were talking.
smoking and drinking.
Here Hollister listened TO detailed ae-
cunt CT the disappearance Of Colonel
oressy, interpreted with various com
aents concerning him and his daughter
Eora.
Pressy was stigmatized as cheat, q vii, |
ain. and a sponge-anything and every
hing they called him but an honest man.
Mere were some expressions Of sympathy
or the girl, but it was easy to see she was
lot liked. Miss Pressy held herself toofar
1o0f from every one III the house 10 win
he approval Of this free and e#sT western /
One lontisla looking fellow, leaning
ganst the bar rail, remarked with 4 sneer-
~ grin, ".Fhat gals naighty sLaak-tp
title crittnr--reckon she won't p1lt OH an5
1ore airs with me ~ anti he sent stream
/ tobacco Juice II 4 very sEillfnI manner
5raight into the mouth Of aspttoon which
coupled the centre Of the room.
Holister, who had been 4 silent listener
ntil now, crossed leisurely to this extra
rdinary marksman and, striking him I
ght blow upon the shoulder, said, evenly
nd distinctly: Look here, Jerry, you
ont want to talk any more like that about
tiss Pressy."
sGoin' to marry her, Frank :"
Il expect 10, ], replied Frank, coolig, IS
{ turned to selecta cigar from the case.
There were no more destinations against
ora Perssy in his leaIipg. The daughter
j., ,r,,qi,t,.,+., ay-aa,4I4rfT lln Yf.ffer h0ty