The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-06-19

up the mountain-side. the trees bccom-
ing more dwarfed and further apart as
she assembled the trail.
The narrow trail led up the side and
over the SUBMITS of the range before
her. and then down again into the town
OF E:,gle Cliff. which was quite little
city. with its bank and railroad and
churches and school-house and dozen OF
more of stores.
Madge had been to the Cliff several
times. and greatly enjoyed the prospect
OF a visit to the lively little town now,
her happiness being dimmed by nothing
but the thought of her fathers illness,
and he had spoken SO hopefully and
cheerfully of his immediate recovery
when she rode away that her fears had
been greatly allayed. She had no fear
for herself.
She rode almost to the summit of the
mountain without meeting human be-
ing or seeing living creature except
ing the little snow-birds flying out and
in among the branches Of the trees and
| out across the snow.
Then she met small. elderly man
coming down the trail on feeble-look.
ing old mule.
Her right hand was laid firmly on the
butt of one OF her pistols, as he refined
up when they met.
''How fur is it to the next cabin?" he
asked.
About ten miles," replied Madge
''Where you bound fer?'
Eagle Cliff"
"Aloneo'
"Yes; excepting for my horse and
these
The man laughed harshly. but hi:
voice was kindly enough as he said:
Gritty. amt We, little gale Well. il
| nobody meant you any more harm n
do you'd be safe without them little
| protectors at yer belt. got little ga
| o my own. bout your age. back IL
Missoury. an wouldn't harm you an,
/, more'n l would her. But l reckon it'd
skcer her out Of a years growth ter find
herself alone up here on this mounting
! Goodbye. an the Lord bless ye.''
Ills voice had genuine ring that as
snred Madge Of his sincerity, and she
4
had made of her weapons.
Goodbye. sir, she replied: ''and Tn
much obliged for your good wishes
She had left the timber behind now
and was allowing old Bally to take hi
time in going up the steep and snow.
trail. bringing them nearer and neare
to the summit of the mountain.
1 hn III, l.s
back when nearly to the summit an,
walked by his side. but when the sum
nit was finally reached, she mounte,
again and said:
''Now, old fellow. III give you five 0
ten minutes to rest in, and then yo
must take me flying down to the Cliff ii
less than
Hello. miss
Madge whirlcd quickly around in he
saddle. The mountain had on its sum
init many massive powders. and fror
behind one Of these. close to the road
side, two men had suddenly come.
Courageous as she was, Madge wa
. taken so wholly by surprise that he
face paled little and her voice .ren
bled slightly as she said:
'How do you do?''
"Ain't you lost?" asked one OF tn
men. staring boldly at her from unde
his bushy eyebrows.
NO, I'm not" Madge replied, in
firmer voice.
"Ain't trav'lin' round the countr
alone, be your
I'm going to Eagle Cliff
"Oh! We be? And where mought Y
hev come from?"
From No Mans Gulch. few mile
back here. live there"
"Oh, We do, Ell? Ye amt the reg'la
mail-carrier?"
No"
Madge felt her voice trembling agai
q: this proof tina: they had noticed til
mailbag.
My father is the mail-carrier, but h
Is sick to-day, and I'm carrying it fo
him. must ride on, too, or I'll not &c
back home tonight. Good bye.''
And she rode on, not noting the sic
nificant looks Of the men. But she il
stinctively felt them to be enemies, an
brea,hed a long breath of relief as sh
rode around a curve in the trail whic
hid her from their view.
The descent here was very abrup
and gailop of two miles brougl
Madge to thick growth of timber.
Looking back as She entered it sf
saw two men riding furiously down I'll
trail behind her. and she felt contideI
that they were the men she had met G
the mountains summit.
They're after met was Madge's in
mediate and correct conclusion. 1.-The
, wan. the mailbag. They wouldn't a
( tack mo up there on the summit for fe
they'd be seen by some one going up
n coming down. They think it'll be 9
+ easier and safer job TO rob me in IL
2 woods. Well, they shan't rob me ,
l place if | can help it. Dad said |
Y trusted me, and there's dozens of me
! in Graniteville trusting dad and belle
Y ing he'll get this mailbag safe in
Eagle Cliff. I'll show 'em dad and n
r can DC trusted! Get on, Bally! Get o
Y sir--on, on, on'
y Bally responded nobly to his you,
4 riders command, and bounded into II
= gloomy woods
Eagle Cliff was yet eight miles ava
{; and the nearest cabin was six miles III
t tant. Old Bally was past his prim
g and he was still exhausted from b
r climb up the mountain. and Madge fe
5 his speed decreasing before they h;
l gon~ mile.
Rsining him up for an instant 81
} distinctly heard the horses of her pu