The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-19

my visit to the MusselsheII, although I
my business in that quarter Well,
must send the Colonel few lines by tel
egraph before our arrival, and it will be
well to also tell our mining expert, Char
lie Baker, that we shall soon be with
him. Charley Is one of my old school
mates, with whom I have always re-
mained more or less closely associated,
and am sure you will be pleased to
make his personal acquaintance.
We need not linger upon their journey
to St Paul, nor upon the longer one be
tween St Paul and their destination.
Let it suffice to say that the lovers and
Mrs. Rankle remained tho most of the
time in the seclusion of their own state
room, and they did not so much as catch
q glimpse Of the Skidders during the
whole trip Westward
At about o'clock in the morning on
the fourth day after leaving Chicago,
the little party alighted from the train
at Custer.
aIt's an awkward hour for ones ar
rival" remarked Perry, with glance at
the covered sky, as he drew Elfie's arm
within his own on reaching the ground;
sand there is still more awkward ride
before US. I wonder If there will be
a hack in waiting at such an unseasona-
BILE hour?"
aCarriage, sir?" said man, who came
hurrying up to the couple, with dull
burning lantern.
Eyes" replied Perry; "where is it?"
SYonder, SIR"
The man not only pointed out the We
hicle but led the way toward it.
"That will answer" said Perry,
after glance at the carriage. "This
way, Mrs Rankle."
He fastened to assist his companions
into the vehicle, and then sprang in
lightly himself, shutting the door.
"Where to, sir?" asked the driver.
sI'll tell you that later, after we have
crossed the river" answered Perry.
"Shall we be able to ferry across at this
hour of the night?"
"Certainly, or at any other hour, so
long as you are willing to pay we'll for
the service"
"Drive on, then," ordered Pcrry.
"Our first step is to cross the Yellow
stone at the junction"
The driver looked the party over q
moment, with an air OF suppressed
jubilance and excitement, and then
mounted briskly to his box and drove
away into the darkness, concealing his
lantern beneath him.
ats not far to the river, l suppose?"
queried Perry, after brief silence.
@No, sir; a mere STEP"
The "step" proved to be long one,
but at length the carriage was driven
upon low pier, and from the pier eau
tiously assisted into one of those small,
shaky ferry boats which are still 80
commonly in use on Western rivers
aThat's ALL" said the driver; there's
no one else coming"
The ferry boat proceeded to get under
way, and hardly word was spoken
until 1t had disembarked its passengers
upon the opposite side of the river.
ais it not strange that we saw moth
ing of the Skidders?" asked Mrs. Rankle.
Rather" replied Perry. II can only
suppose that they have gone on TO Bill
lings, because we talked Of going there.
In good truth, that would have been al
most as handy for us, as far as the mines
are concerned, but my objective point is
the county seat, where I propose to
place those deeds on record"
"Where to, sir?" asked the driver
again, appearing at the side Of the car
riage
Perry reflected moment.
@Your horses are fresh?" he then
asked.
ayes, sir; ready for anything"
@You do not care how far you go,
dare say?"
Certainly not. so long as you are
ready to pay me literally"
"Then take the road to Musselshell,
and do not let the grass grow under your
feet for the next two hours"
HAll right, SIR"
fTo BE Continued