The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-02-12
IN THE QUICKSANDS.

The story properly begins at midnigh
On the San Luis Obispo coast, California
twenty years ago, when the Septembe,
Aoonhght shone down upon Stoner'l
cattle ranch, near the Pacific ocean, il
tho rugged Santa Lucia mountains.
Stoner had been Texas ranger, and
icould hold his own extremely well In
that rough frontier community. Hs
had carried off a pretty Spanish wife
from the Chihuahua region years before
bad brought her to the rocky California
coast, and had purchased a settlers
claim and an old adobe house built by
aSpanish hidalgo half century ago.
Here he farmed, raised cattle on the
unused government lands, and kept q
sort of hotel, for several mountain trails
Joined at that point the broad highway
which led from the county seat, twenty
miles south, to the northern settlements
m the pineries. He had five daughters.
tOo-the youngest, Theresa, known as
Tessa, q 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
AIl the news that was afoat, and some
how most of the loose coin of the re-
gion ultimately found its way into his
pockets. He was a deep one, that same
Ephraim Stoner, quiet, sly and patient,
secret in his methods and deadly in his
blow.
Stoner's wife and his four eldest
danghters were uneducated and in COM
plete subsection to his will. But Tessa
had more brains and energy than all
the rest put together, and quite as much
beauty, and so the old Texan ranger
took certain pride in her, and had
even allowed her to attend a district
school for two years.
This midnight when, as I have said.
the story begins, a person Of prying
disposition might have discovered sew
eral interesting performances in progress
around the Stoner abode. On the north
side Of the house Tessa was leaning from
her window converEing in low tones
with blonde, fair haired and sturdy
young man on horseback.
tom, do you know my father? He
- mot the careless, warm hearted man
You may suppose. must admire his
ability, but that is all. l warn Won.
Tom, there never was . more dangerous
man. He may be where he hears everv
word you say, though If he Ia he win
not speak to you or me about it. But If
10 knew You cared for me he would be
your enemy. He has other plans for
mo. He wants me to marry for money"
Tom Warren had once been the school
teacher In the mountain district. miles
away, where Tessa had been one of his
pupils. Thrown upon his own resources
from his childhood, he had developed a
strong, earnest character, and was al
ready so 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, a scene of . different nature was be.
mig enacted ON the south side of the old
adobe, which overlooked deep rayine
and camp Of five or six men In n field
below. For several years these men had
spent their summers there. oatensibI
hunting, fishing and exploring the coun-
Try with their dogs and gums. EVERY one
knew them, and most persons liked
them. Tessa did not
Stoner, though it was midnight, sat in
me moonlight on an old rawhide chair
outside the door. smoking his pipe and
-cemsaang-a tough, sinewy, grixzled
night owl of man.
THAT internal knuclllehead at the
camp ought to have reported before
now, he thought to himself as he smoked.
A man came out Of the brush and
spoke deferentially. IS
"Capt'n, good evening" M
You're late" 4
Dick was shot"
"Well?"
Just as the driver throwed OF the
boz. Shot by passenger in the neck
and shoulder"
He mustn't stay here to get MS into
trouble. Take boat and carry him to
the point and leave him in the cave
there" -
Eyes, capt'n."
How much aboard7"
About $1,000 for tho Josephine min
srs."
Send it over tho cliff before morn
ng and I'll divide it up soon. But YOU
oe extra careful; that new sheriff is .
mart one" ~ea' q
IAN right. cap'n." and the man went
back 70 camp. ~
A moment later. Just a. E1oner was
yoing into the house, there was q low
hud Of horses hoofs, and Tom Warren.
he young sheriff, rode down the tran.
around the corner Of tho old adobe build |
ng, into the country road that led to
he west He had at Last yielded to
Cessa's entreaties to ''Go. go this minute,
rom."
Impassive a. Stoner was, he felt . |
title startled by the sight.
Where in the devil did you come |
rom. sheriff. Anything up in this part
Il the country?'
-Oh. no; not particle. I've been Wis
ting my old school in thu mountains, |
md took the trail home down Cayucus."
This was plausible enough, for there I
vas blind trial that entered the canyon |
ust east of the angle of the house.
,fona1 felt a kff1a 1,eliarad