Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-01-29
IN THE QUIGKSANDS.

The story properly begins at midnight
On the San Luis 0bispo coasf, California,
twsnty yesrs ago, when the September
moonlight shons down upon steneris
cattle ranch, near thc Pacific ocean, In
the rugged Santa Lucia mountains.
Stoner lad been . TEXAS ranger, and
cozld hold his own extremely wen In
that rough frontier community. He
had carried or . pretty Spanish wife
from the Chihuahua region years before.
bad brought her to the rocky California
coast, and had purchased ssttler's
claim and an old adobe house built By
aSpsnish hidalgo half century ago,
Here he farmed, raised cattle on the
unused government lands, and kept a
sort Of hotel, for several mountain trails
joined st that point the broad highway
which led from the county seat, twenty
miles south, to the northern settlements
in che pineriss. Hs had Eve daughters.
too-the youngest, Theresa, known as
Tessa, girl Of IL. That added to the
attraction, and almost every night the
dark eyed, half Spanish girls sang and
danced, and old Stoner managed to hear
all the news that was afoat, and some
how most Of the loose coin Of the re-
gion ultimately found its way into his
pocket8. He was q deep one, that same
Nphraini Stoner. quiet. sly and patient,
secret In his methods and deadly In bis
blow. ssf,s w, + III
StOnsr's wife and his four eldest
daughters were uneducated and in com
plete subjection to his win. But Tessa
had more brains and energy than all
the rest put together, and quite NJ much
beauty, and 20 the old Texan ranger
took . certain pride in her, and had
even allowed her to attend district
school for two years. IS 81
This midnight when, a. have said,
the story begins, . person Of 3 prying
disposition might have discovered sew
eral interesting performances in progress
around the Stoner abode. On the north
side Of the house Tessa wasleaning from
her window ccnversfng in low tones
with q blonde, fair haired and sturdy
Young man on horseback.
ssTom, do you know my father He
is not the careless, warm hearted man
you may suppose. must admire his
ability, but that is all. I warn you,
Tom, there never was more dangerous
man. He may be where he hears every
word You say, though If he is he win
not speak to you or me about it. But II
he knew you cared for me he would be
your enemy. He has other plans for
me. Ha wants me to marry for money.
Tom Warren had once been the school
teachsr In the mountain district, miles
away, where Tessa had been one Of bis
pupils. Thrown upon his own resources
from his childhood, he had developed q
strong, earnest character, and was al
ready 10 popular In the county that he
had just been elected sheriff. though the
youngest man on the ticket.
While Tessa and her lover were talk.
ing, . ascene of , different nature was be.
ing enacted on the south side OF the old
adobe, which overlooked deep rayine,
and camp Of FIVE or six men in field
below. For several years these men had
spent their summers there, ostensibly
hunting, fishing and exploring the coun-
try with their dogs and guns. Every one
knew them, and most persons liked
them. Tessa did not.
Stoner, though it was midnight, sat in
the moonlight on an old rawhide chair
outside the door. smoking his pipe and
rReditatinga . tough, sinewy, grizzled
night owl of o man.
ssThat Internal knuckiehead at the
camp ought to have reported before
aow, he thought to himself as he smoked
a man came out of the brush and
h spoke deferentiaily.
tsCapt'n, good evening"
"You're late"
aDick was shot"
"Well?''
"Just as the driver throwed off thu
box. Shot by a passenger in the mech
and shoulder"
ssHe mustn't stay here to get us intt
trouble. Take a boat and carry him tc
the point and leave him in the cav
there. II III "a ss.,,
"Yes, capt'n."
ssHow much aboard?"
"About 1000 for the Josephine min
era." VI
ssSend it over the cliff before morn
ing and TIL divide it up soon. But yol
be extra careful; that new sheriff is |
smart one" 9 s
IAN right, cap'n," and the man wen
back TO camp.
! A moment later. Just as Stoner wa
going into the house, there was a lov
A thud Of horses hoofs, and Tom Warren
the young sheriff. rode down the trail
around thecorner Of the old adobe build
ing, into the country road that led +
the west. He had at last yielded t
Tessa's entreaties to Go, go this minute
! Tom.
Impassive as Stoner was, be felt
little startled by the sight. .
Where in the devil did you com
from. sheriff. Anything up in this par
Of the countryl
"Oh, no: not q particle. I've been vii
iting my old school in the mountains
and took the trail home down Cayucus.
This was plausible enough, for ther
was blind trial that entered the canyo
Just east Of the angle of the house
= Stoner felt little relieved.
"Woft YOU put UP and stay with Y
ali rlight?D a