Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-03-02
A MOONLIGHT RIDE.

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then stopping to gaze impatiently down
the muddy road and then at the sun, which
was fast sinking in the west.
One of the passengers was n young girl,
pretty and self possessed, although per-
haps a tri1e nervous in her manner. She
shivered slightly as the cool evening air
blew in her face and turned toward her
partner in misfortune, who from his dress
might be either clergyman or profess
sional gambler AS if in answer to some
thing he saw in her face, he raised his hat
and came forward.
Something 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 go through, " she said, almost i'm
ploringly. "Oh, | must get to Angels to-
night"
"Oh certainly" he answered confident
ly. "They're sure to go through. See,
here it comes now" And he turned and
walked to the other end of the station.
The lady looked once more down the
road, but this time with u 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 $50, 0OO
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 got away with the booty
This had been the third serious loss inside
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 Maynard, the
injured agents sweetheart stood waiting
with S25, 900 in her keeping.
Wet with the water of the ford, with
horses dripping with foam, Dandy Jim
drove up to the station, and at last the
stage was in.
There were five passengers-two miners;
natty young man with a leathern case,
evidently drummer; an Irish woman
and Chinaman. Looking tired and cross,
they hurried to the supper room, while
Dandy Jim descended slowly from his
lofty seat.
"Pole busted" he said ironically to the
hostler. Fright header lost SHOE" then
But before he reached it light touch
was laid on his arm, and he turned quick
ly to look down into pair of soft brown
eyes, and Rose MAYNARD said sweetly.
May tide with you, Jim?-the box
seat, You Know and she smiled signili-
cantly as she handed him bit of yellow
paper.
We'll, I'll be blowedr' said Jim, "ef it
amt Miss Rose Ride with me? Why,
bl So yer heart, of course you kin "
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. ''WelI.
you bet she kin. She's daisy, and no
mistake. Hope Jack won't be Jealous"
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 it at a taper, he watch
ed it burn until it fell to the ground.
Note from Jack Sterling, " he said cool
~ mo treasure going up tonight; arm
still bothers him" and turning 10 take
up his glass of whisky straight he found
himself face 10 face with the man who had
accosted Rose in the station.
As he saw jim he said "Are you the
driver?"
THAT'S what" answered Jim. "Any-
thing you want of mel"
only to tell you that you'll have my
company up to Angels tonight. as I've
bought the box seat, " and he drew n tick
ct from his pocket and handed it to Jim.
who set down his glass and made pre-.
tense of examining it closely, then, with
a broad I 10, 3.
back
Sorry ! can't oblige you, " he said. lean.
ing lazily against the counter. "but tibet
seat ez alluz belonged to pal o. mine.
Jack Sterling, the Wells Fargo agent. who
wuz shot last trip. FL lie can't 20 IN
this time I've promised it to another friend
o mine. See"
But I've bought it, " said the other i'm
patiently.
who Of, ef l might ASK" inquired
Jim innocently
The company, of course" answered
the man Come, don't be a fool. "
Jim crossed one foot over the other and
calmly surveyed the irate one.
Nv neither ! be or be not fool, young
Teller, lac said, "is none % yer bizness.
liut Il tell you these-whcn the kempanv
wants the job of drivin this blasted coach
they kin hey il and welcome and give
away their box seats ter who they darn
please. Sees Besides" he went on, "vou
wouldn't take it from a 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.
Tho 20 minutes for supper were soon
over, the new pole was in, the fresh horses
stood impatiently tossing their heads. and
The guard called out, "All aboard"
The passengers came hurrying from
their supper. Jim helped Rose to her seat,
as he lifted her up, "Shove the
bag inter the boot, honey" then swung
himself up beside her
The whip cracked, the hostler sprang
aside from the horses heads, the guard |
jumped on behind, and with Jolt and |
jar the stage was off, with 40 minutes |
time to make. But no one noticed that
rs they entered the coach the tall. dark /
man whispered to the drummer. "Keep |
your eye on the girl, George, " he said |
She's our game"
The sun had long since set, and the beam.
tiful California night, set with brilliant
stars, had spread over the land. Rose felt