The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-06
A MOONLIGHT RIDE.

Ano S'aSe was late. The two pasSen-
gers waiting Mt the little station paced up
and down the wooden platform, now and
Snen stopping to gaze impatiently down
ehemuddy road and then at the sun, which
was fast sinking in tho west.
One of I he passengers was young girl,
pretty and self possessed, although per-
haps trife nervous in her manner She
shivered slightly as tho cool evening air
blew In her face and turned toward her
partner in misfortune, who from his dress
might be either n clergyman or profess
sional gambler. AS if in answer to some
thing he saw in her face, no raised his hat
and came forward.
Something is evidently wrong" he
said, letting his bold black eyes rest OH
her face until her own fell and n warm
blush rose to shame his impudcncc. "High
water at the ford, dare say"
She lifted her eyes anxiously. "But
they'll go through" she said, almost i'm
ploringly. ooh, must get to Angels to-
night"
"Oh, certainly" he answered confident
~. 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 sigh of relief
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, 900.
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
tho robbers got away with the booty.
This had been tho third serious loss inside
of two months, and tho 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 $50, 900 in her keeping
Wet with the water Of tho ford, with
horses dri ping with foam, Dandy Jim
drove up To the station, and ut lust the
stage was in.
There were five passengers-two miners;
natty young man with IT leathern case,
evidently drummer; M Irish woman
and n 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. "Right header lost II shoe" then
strollcd slowly to the bur.
But before he reached it n light touch
was laid on his arm, and he turned quick
ly to look down into n pair of soft brown
eyes, and Rose Maynard said swccty,
May | ride with you, Jim?-the box
seat, you know" and she smiled signli-
cantly us she handed him bit of yellow
paper
"Well, I'll be blowed" said Jim, "cf it
amt Miss Rose. Rido with mcp Why,
bless yer heart of course you kim"
"Thank YOU snid Rose, and giving
him a smile that made his head spin she
turned away
Jim stood stock still and gazed after
her ride with me, he muttercd. "Wcll,
you bet she kin. She's n daisy and no
mistake. Hope Jack won't be Jealous"
and he broke into II loud OUTLAW, which
he rs instantly checked, and hurried into
the barroom.
Here he read the note Rose had given
him; then, lighting it at taper he watch
ed it burn until it fell to the ground
Note from Jack Sterling F" he said cool
ly. mo treasure going up tonight; arm
still bothcrs 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 station.
AS he saw jim he said. caro- you the
driver"
"That's what" answered jim "Any-
thing you want of mc?"
"Only to tell you that you'll have nv
company up to Angels tonight rs 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 n pre-
tense of examining it closely, then, with
broad wink at the bartender, handed it
back
"Sorry can't oblige you, :" he said, lean
ing lazily against the counter, "but thct
seat cz aluz belonged to pal o. mine,
Jack Sterling, the Wells Fargo agent, who
wuz shot last trip. Ez he can't go ND
this time I've promised it to another friend
O. mine. Sce?'
But I've bought it" said the other i'm.
patiently.
"Who of, eff might ask?" inquired
Jim innocently.
1.-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
whether be or be not n fool, young
feller," he said, "is none O. yer bizness.
But I'll tell you these--when the kempany
wants the job of drivin this blasted coach
they kin hev it and welcome and give
away their box seats ter who they darn
please. See? Besides" he went on, "you
wouldn't take it from lady rs wants ter
see the moonlight?'
"Oh, if it's a lady, Pm satisfied" said
the other, and turning on his heel he left
the room
The 20 minutes for supper were soon
over, the ne'.v pole was in, the fresh horses
stood impaticntly tossing their heads, and
the guard call Il ont, "All aboardw
The passengers CAME hurrying from
their supr: jim, helped Rose to her seat,
whispering - l.r lifted her up. "Shove the
BIZ, inter TIE loot, honey" then swung