The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-07

~ no ~ POOK-iA Ou0IiCye ny tu6I y 0il
mas money which she left mo in the
savin's bank that / wanted to draw out
for had the highland give it to him, but
he wouidn't hear of it! Why he wouldn't
take one of the things I've got with me, if
he knew it. And so he goes on ridin' an
ridin. here and there and everywhere, and
gettin' more and more played out and sad,
and thin and pale as spirit. and always
80 uneasy about his business, and startin'
up at times when we'er meetin' out in the
South Woods or in the far clearin.' and
sayin': i must be goin' now, Polly, and
yet always tryin' to be chif1e and clipper
afore me. Why, he must have rid miles
and miles to have watched for me thar in
the brush at the foot of Galloper's tonight.
have given him the signal and showed q
light if I'd died for it the next mint.
Thcrel That's what know Of Charley
that's what I'm running away from homo
for-that's what I'm running to him for,
and don't care who knows It'll And I
only wish I'd done it afore-and l would
f-if-if-he'd only asked mel There
nowl She stopped, painted and choked.
Then one of the sudden transitions of
youthful emotion overlook the eager,
laughing face; it clouded up with the
swift change of childhood, q lightning
culver of expression broke over it-and-
then came the rain!
think this simple act completed our ut
ter Generalization We smiled feebly at
each other with that assumption of mascu-
line superiority which Is mserably con.
scious of its own helplessness at such mo-
ments. We looked out of the window,
blew our noses, said "Eh-what?" and II
say" vaguely to each other. and were
greatly relieved and yet apparently aston.
ished when Yuba Bill, who had turned his
back upon the fair speaker and was kick
ing the logs in the fireplace, suddenly
swept down upon US and bundled US
Inns alone. Then he walked aside
with Judge Thompson for a few mo-
ments; returned to US, automatically
demanded Of the party . complete reti-
cence toward Miss Mullins on the subject
matter under discussion. re-entered the
station, reappeared with the young lady,
suppressed q faint idiotic cheer which
nocent face once more cleared and rosy,
climbed the box, and in another moment
we were under way.
''Then she don't know what her lover is
yeti" asked the expressman, eagerly.
"Are you certain it's ono of the gang ?"
Cant say for sure. Itmout be young
tiger* at Sacramento, got regularly cleaned
out and busted. and joined the gang for q
fiier. They say thar was new hand in
that job over at keeley's-and q mighty
game, too-and ez there was some
buckshot Onloaded that trip, he might
hev got his share, and that would
tally with what the girl said about his
arm. See! Eff that's the man, I've heered
he was the son OF some big preacher in the
states, and college sharp to boot, who
ran wild in Frisco, and played himself for
all he was worth. They're the wust kind
to kick when they once get q foot over the
traces. For stiddy, com'ble kempany,"
added Bill retiectively, give me the son
OF q man that was hangedP'
But what are you going to do about
this"
That depends upon the.feller who comes
to meet her."
"But you amt going to try to take him
That would be playing it pretty low down
"Keep your hair on. Jimmy. The Judge
and me are only going to rastle with the
sperrit Of that gay young galoot, when he
drops down for his girl-and exhort HIM
pow full Ell be allows he's convicted Of
sin and will find the Lord, we'll marry
MIN and the gal offhand at the next station,
and the Judge will of6ciate himself for
nothin'. We're goin' to have this yer
elopement done on the square-and our
waybill clean-you bet!"
but you don't suppose he'll trust him.
self in your hands ~
polly will signal to him that it's ali
square"
"AhV said the expressman. Neverthe-
less, in those few moments the men
seemed to have changed dispositions.
The expressman looked doubtful, criti-
cally, and even cynically before him.
Bills face had relaxed, and something
like a bland smile beamed across it, as
ho Ap0vo flxxo nd ho. s<oks 81,
forward.
Day, meantime. although full blown
and radiant on the mountain submits
around us, was yet nebulous and uncer-
tain in the valleys into which we are
plunging. Lights still glimmered in the
cabins and few ranch buildings which
began to indicate the thicker settle
in little copse. where note from
Judge Thompson in the coach was
handed up to Yuba Bill. who at once
slowly began to draw up his horses.
The coach stopped finally near the juno
ton of a small cross road. At the same
moment Miss Mullins slipped down from
the vehicle, and, with parting wave Of
her hand to the judge, who had assisted
her from the steps, tripped down the cross
road and disappeared in the semi-obscur-
ity. To our surprise the stage waited, Bill
holding the reins listlessly in his hands.
Five minutes passed-an eternity of ex-
pectatiOn, and--as there was that in Yuba
Bills face which forbade idle questioning
an aching void Of silence alsOi This
was at last broken by strange voice from
the road:
go on-we'll follow"
The coach started forward. Presently
We heard the sound of other wheels be.
hind US. We all craned our necks back
ward to get view of the unknown, but
by the growing light we could only see
that We were followed at q distance by q
buggy with two figures in it. Evidently
Polly Mullins and her lover. We hoped
that they would pass us. But the vehicle,
though drawn by a fast horse. preserved
its distance always, and it was plain that
its driver had no desire to satisfy our curl
osity. The expressman had recourse to
Bill.
us it the man you thought Off" he
asked eagerly.
II reckon" sa,d Bill briefly.
But" continued the expressman, re-
turning to his former skepticism, whats
to keep them both from levanting together
now?"
Bill ierked his hand toward the boot
with grim smile.
Their baggage"
''Oh !" said the expressman.
Eyes" continued Bill. We'll hang on
TO that gals little frills and fxin's until
this yer Jobs settled and the ceremony's
over, jest as if We waz her own father.
And, what's more, young man." he added,
suddenly turning to the expressman,
you'll express them trunks of hers
through to Sacramento with your kem-
pany's labels and hand her the receipts
and checks Tor them, so she can get 'em
there. That'il keep him outer tempta-
ton and the reach o. the gang, until they
,t..f nj