The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-19

up to the mountain yonder, rock in sheer
wallis extending dow tho valley 400 odd
feet below. The vegetation of the garden
seemed to have been literally wrung from
the unwilling rock bed of the mountain.
The cabin contained two rooms or rather
! was divided into swo parts, one evidently
the kitchen, the other a sort of bedroom
and storehouae combined. Back of the lit
tie structure was a mysterious looking hut,
almost entirely hidden by the surrounding
rocks which jutted over it, and from which
smoke was now Issuing in a steady black
stream, very quiet against tho azure quiet
OF the evening sky.
Hank, what's that dow thar?" said
the woman. pointing to where the river
loaned along 400 feet below then. aims
it n man on horseback? Lor'! He's accom-
ing up the rass!" and she turned white as a
ghost.
Tho man sprang mp, his ~laziness and in
difference had Disappeared; he strained his
eyes down the valley at the moving object
which the girl pointed out. Yes, it was II
man on horseback, and he had discovered
tho pass and was slowly and laboriously
ascending 1t.
Presently they thought they head a
faint shout.
mountains. One of them burned snsaking
northern gentlemen from tho forge. Ill
bet!' said Hank, e1citedly. Curse hlmr'
he added feroely. IF he comes raouud
this place he'a a-0oing ter get "a free pass to
t'other world!'
Mirandy looked troubled.
II do hope he won't come on u.s." she
said an1iously."
But the man steadily advanced toward
them, Hank made no reply to the woman's
obse. Walton. He went into the cabin and
soon came out again with another man. a
villainous looking character, who also wore
top boots, but nc hat. Both carried Win
chester rifles. Perching themselves behind
two great bouiders that stood like giant
Lortals guarding the way to tho corn natch,
the men waited silently, their faces immov.
able. their fingers on the triggers OF their
guns.
The belated Traveller came on. When
about two-thirds up tho pass his horse
i stumbled and fell. The rider picked him
self ny, and after critically examining the
animal remounted. and on they went once
more.
grim silence. Half IN houl rassed. A
whipoorwili droIed out his mournfal note.
long and QuGvsring In the quiet evening
air. Now the horseman came within sight
Of tho mountain cabin. He paused q mo-
ment at tho edge Of the clearing. Then he
advanced. Hank raised his rifle; his COM
panion Rrinned savagoly and raised his.
Then suddenly the girl, who had boen
ctouohing behind n mass of granite, whence
she could 500 tae traveller and his enemies,
stepped out into full view and gave a terri
bio Shrek, a cry Of fear, indignation aud
protest.
With IN oath Hank dlopped his gun, and
dashing out seized tho traveller and pulled
him from his horse. Before the lattof could
make any res,stanoe the two men had
bound and gagged him and were standing
over him threatening instant death IL he
did not submit.
"Whnt on nirth's the matter with yer,
Mlrandyp" growlei tho bootless nnd hatlesa
one. DO yer want ter give us NIL over ter
the sheriff 7"
"Why don't yer speak. girl ?" said Hank,
az she hesitat0d.
The woman said nothing for a moment.
Then she spoke i'll Q loud, imperious voice
that made tho stranger wonder, bound aud
gagged az he was.
Hunk, l want yer and Ben, thar''-point-
ing to tho rough-looking fellow who was
Observation-Disclosures unbiud this gentioman
and let him go. l Amt going to Lot no more
murders happen here. md yer know that
yor must do l aay. l hsv stood
enough from you In my life."
Tho unfortunate p isoner, who could
heur all this, WAS sstonished DO SEQ tho two
deay crate men quietly begin to loosen the
heavy leathsrn throng with which he was
bound. Soon he could stand up, and, but
for q little soreness, he was noue the worse
far the hard treatment he had undergone,
"You can ga. and Sit aout quick" the one
called Ren snid sharply.
The stranger halted for q moment, ia
though undecided what to do, aud then
wen MP TO tho woman.
! "MiEandy," no said. "if that's you, namc,