Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-19
THE STAGE-DRIVER'S WIFE.

TIE STAGE-DRIVER'S WIFE
Four bay horses dashed in fine style up
TO the door of the inn, pulling behinc
them the gorgeous red stage, which swayed
and reeled and rocked in fashion that
made the more nervous passengers vince
and shiver.
HOLSTER threw the reins to the stable
boy, and went into the house, He was a
bluff, big-fsted fellow-rather rOugh-lOok-
ing in his wolf-skin overcoat and broad
visored cap. Nobody ever doubted the
kindness of heart under that unpublished
exterior, however
Now, as he tramped through the big
hail. on his way to the bar-room, he
paused at the sight OF a 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 in well-vorn
gray suit, and the hands on which the
brown head was bowed were white and
delicate.
a beg your pardon, ma am. Are you
in trouble? Can | be of service to you !"
Then the girl looked up, and HoIlister
recognized the daughter of man who had
been at the inn for some weeks-a man
whom the driver had no hesitation in
chasing as an adventurer and bIackleg.
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 lady, with her quiet ways and
wistful eyes, and not at all fitted for life
of Bohemianism, such as her father was
leading her
She looked up, and meeting the expires
sion of honest kindliness in Frank Hollis
ter's clear gray ewes, she struggled mo-
ment for self-control and then burst into
tears.
Frank squared his broad shoulders be-
ford 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 eyes,
and said, with quivering lips am in
trouble sir. Yours are the first friendly
words ! have heard to-day. Ny father
here crimson flush dyed her fair brow
my father has left me; where he has gone
| do not know am absolutely alone here
among strangers, and our bill is not paid"
For one instant Frank looked at her
doubtfslly, and then, with sudden rush Of
seif-shame and chivalry, his hand went into
his breast pocket and drew therefrom
big leather pocketbook.
The girl made an indignant gesture, and
looked at him with wide open naughty
eyes
'Sir | scarcely expected an insult
Whereupon Frank began 4 hurried and
indignant reputation of her insinuation.
He insult woman He who had the
dearest mother and the sweetest little sister
in the world, away off there in the Eastern
States praying for himl
"Praps | amt so dainty in my choice
Of words as | might be, lady | am a
rough fellow at best, but I'm dreadful soft
hearted where woman Is concerned. If
you choose to look on me as a friend and
straight man-one that never goes back on
his word-you shan't be disappointed.
New, then, how canI serve your
The big pocketbook had disappeared,
and the girls face softened at his rough
gallantry. She extended one little hand
frankly.
Forgive me, sir; know that you are
all that you seem cannot accept any
pecuniary aid from you or anyone. The
landlord has offered me situation as table
girl. shall accept it, and in that way
can pay our Indebtedness, Thanks for
your kindness. shall not forget it."
With fitting smile she slipped past him
and went swiftly up the dark stairway,
while the driver proceeded to the bar |
room, where the men were talking laugh |
ing, smoking and drinking.
Here HOLSTER listened to detailed &C
count of the disappearance OF Colonel |
Prensy, interspersed with various comments |
concerning him and his daughter.
Pressv was stigmatized rs cheat, a vii |
lain and a sponge-anything and every |
thing they called him but an honest man.
There we're some expressions Of sympathy |
for the girl, but it was easy to see she was
not liked. Miss Preesy held herself too |
far aloof from every one in the house to |
win the approval Of this free-and-easy !
Western community.
One loutish-looking fellow, leaning |
against the bar rail, remarked with a sneer
ing grin; THAT gals a mighty stuck up |
little critter-reckon she won't put on any !
more airs with ew and he sent a stream
Of tobacco Juice in very skillful manner |
straight into the mouth of a spitton which |
occupied the center Of the room.
Hollister, who had been a silent listener |
until now, crossed leisurely to this extraor- |
binary marksman and, striking him a light |
blow upon the shoulder, said, evenly and |
distinctly, Look here, Jerry, you don't |
want TO talk any more like that about Miss |
Pressy"
Coin to marry her, Frank 2'
4" expect TO-" replied Frank. coOlly, as
he turned to select a cigar from the case.
There were no more insinuations against /
Cora Pressy in his hearing. The daughter
of an unknown adventurer, no matter how
thorough lady she might seem, and the
sweetheart of the jolly, keen-eyed, strong
armed stage driver, we're two different per |
sons, and when the lonely girl entered upon
her new duties the next day she was sur
prised at the kindness and consideration of |
all about her.
Frank did not try TO weaken the impress
sion which his words had made He knew |
that it would be her surest protection that |
he felt an intense desire to protect and |
help her-she was 50 delicate and sorrow- |
full, 50 absolutely alone, now that her nat |
ural parent had deserted her,
Two or three uneventful days went by, |
Cora filled her new situation with salts |
factory promptness. Every night, on the |
arrival of HOLSTERS stage, she was left to |
wait upon him in the dining-room.