The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-28
DEUCES WIN.
BY BEATRICE DI LUNA.
Downright lS94.)


aun, which was fast sinking in the west.
One of the passengers was a young
girl, pretty and self-possessed, although,
perhaps, triae nervous in her manner.
She shivered slightly as the cool even
ing air blew in her face, and turned to-
wards her partner in misfortune, who
from his dress might be either a clergy
man or professional gambler. AS if in
answer to something he saw in her face,
he raised his hat and came forward,
sSomething is evidently wrong" he
said. letting his bold black eyes rest on
her face until her own fell and warm
blush rose to shame his impudence. High
water at the ford, dare say"
She lifted her eyes anxiously. But
they'll 90 through she said almost i'm
ploringly "Oh, l must get to Angels to-
night
@Oh. certainly" he answered conf
IDENTIFY. "Thev're sure to go through. See,
here IL comes now" And he turned and
walked to the other endof the station.
The lady looked once more down the
road, but this time with sigh OF relief,
and her hand went unconsciously to the
heavy leather belt which confined her
waist. Five Thousand dollars in gold
were concealed in that belt and in the
small grip she carried were checks and
paper money amounting to the sum Of
10000. All Wells Fargo treasure going
to the mines at Angels Camp.
Only the last week the stage had been
held up and the agent badly shot, while
the robbers escaped with the booty.
This had been the third serious loss in
side of two months, and the company
vowed to outwit the spoilers. SO they
put their heads together and the outcome
of their scheming was that Rose May
nard, the injured agents sweetheart,
stood waiting for the stage with $95, 600 IN
her keeping.
Wet with the water of the ford, wit h
horses dripping with foam, Dandy Jim
drove up to the station, and at last the
stage was in.
There were five passengers-two min
ers, a naJty young man with leathern
case, evidently a drummer, an Irish
woman and a Chinaman. Looking tired
and cross, they hurried to the supper
room, while Dandy Jim descended slowly
from his lofty seat.
"Pole busted" he said, laconically to
the hostler Fright leader lost a shOe,"
then strolled slowly to the bar
But before he reached it a light touch
was laid on his arm, and he turned
quickly to look down into pair of soft
brown eyes, and Rose Maynard said
sweetly: "May ride with you, Jim p
the box seat, you know" and she smiled
Significantly as she handed him bit of
yellow paper.
0Weli, IN be blowed!" said jim, "ef 1t
amt Miss Rose Ride with me2 Why
bless yer heart, of course you kim"
THANK YOU" said Rose, and, giving
him smile that made his head spin, she
turned away.
Jim stood stock still and gazed after her.
''Ride with me-" he muttered. well,
you bet she kin. She's a daisy, and no
mistake. Hope Jack won't be Jealous. p
and he broke into a loud guffaw, which he
as instantly checked, and hurried into the
barroom.
Here he read the note Rose had given
him, then, lighting II at taper, he
watched it burn until it fell to the
ground
Note from Jack Sterling" he said
coolly. mo treasure going up tonight
arm still bothers him." and, turning to
take up his glass of whisky straight, -
he found himself face to face with the
man who had accosted Rose in the sta
tion.
AS he saw Jim, he said: 'Are you the
driver?"
That's what" answered Jim. "Any-
thin you want of met"
''Only to tell you that you'll have my
company up to Angels tonight, as I've
bought the box seat" and he drew a
klGhGb IFOul his poCh6b anu nduueQ IL 10
Jim, who set down his glass and made a
pretense of examining it closely, then, with
Q broad wink at the bartender, handed it
back
Sorry can't oblige you" he said
leaning lazily against the counter, but
that seat hez allus belonged to a pail o.
mine, Jack Sterling, the Wells-Fargo
agent, who wuz shot last trip. Ez he
carn't go up this time I've promised it to
another friend of mine Spp2D
'But I've bought it, said the other,
impatiently
"Who of! Eff might ask" inquired
Jim, innocently.
1.-The company, of course,n answered
the man. Come, don't be fool"
Jim crossed one foot over the other
and calmly surveyed the irate one
Whether l be or be not fool, young
! feller,'' he said, lis none o. yer bi1ness
But I'll tell you these, when the kempany
wants the job of drivin' this blasted stage
they kin hev it and welcome, and give
away their box-seats ter who they darn
please. But when I'm a-drivin', Pm boss
Sect Besides" he went on, ''you
wouldn't take it from lady as wants ter
see the moonlight"
"Oh, if it's lady, I'm satisfied" said
the other, and turning on his heel he left
the room.
The twenty minutes for supper were
soon over, tne new pole was In, the fresh
horses stood impatiently tossing theil
heads and the guards called out: "Al
aboard !"
The passengers came hurrying from
their supper. Jim helped Rose to hel
seat, whispering as he lifted her up
''Shoye the bag inter the boot, honey
then swung himself up beside her.
The whip cracked, the hostler sprane
aside from the horses heads, the guard
jumped on behind and with a Jolt anC
jar, the stage was Oft with forty minutes
time TO make But no one noticed that
as they entered the coach, the tall, darl
man whispered to the drummer tKeeI
your eye on the girl, George" he said
"She's our game"
The sun had long since set, and tn,
beautiful California night set with brill
liant stars spread over the land. Ros,
felt her courage rise as she chung TO III,
swaying coach and watched the gallan
leaders gallop bravely on over the road
which looked like silver ribbon in tn,
moonlight.
Nine o'clock by the drivers watch a.
they slowed up little, seven miles from
Angels. Dandy Jim pointed with hi
whip to where the road curved sharply
around the side of the mountain. the hipi
rocky wall rising 900 feet on one sid,
and slipping abruptly down on the other.
"Thet," said the driver, lis the identi
cal spot whar poor Jack war shot. Lord