The record-union., 1897-09-05

/
him into trouble, and then he went to
the mines to recover himself That is
all that there is about it, sir. It's not
much to tell, and perhaps 1 ought not
to have spoken so freely with stran-
gers. Now that we are in danger, I
seem to feel that you are my friends
What is your husbands name?
have been among the mines a good
deal, and happen to know some people
in Virginia myself.
Charley Reeves, sir. But, of course.
he may have assumed another name.
Do you perhaps know him.?
''The young man gave a little start.
He was about to say something, but
checked himself What he did say was,
Mrs. Reeves, 1 may be of service to
you in your search for your husband
Under his breath he said, She will
know soon enough, poor thing
Do you know him?' she persisted.
Not personally he said, and one
must not take all our hears to be true.
Your husband is, I dare say, rather
wild. and this is not a country which
would improve his habits. When you
have got him back to you, he will re-
form. Now, let US consider our pres
ent situation, for we are getting to a
dangerous part of the road 1 know
every step of the way and just beyond
that hill is where the stage is likely to
| be held up. Would you like to be of
service to our agitated friend of the
money bags? Well then, lend me the
baby a minute. Be careful not to
waken her. So. Now shut your eyes
and do not watch me. Then you
won't have to tell any lies"
THE child lay still. as the young man
took her from her mothers arms. The
lady buried her face in the corner OF
the coach, seeing and hearing only her
own sad thoughts.
Leaning toward the nervous man,
the young man said, Quick, give me
one of your bags of gold. Trust me,
you idiot. 1 want it only to save it for
you. One of them, mind you. Better
to save one-half of your entire fortune
than to lose every cent. But there's
no time to spare
Impressed by the young mans earn
estness, the nervous passenger hurri-
edly unfastened his coat and vest, and
with pocket-knife cut the stitches
winch fastened one of the bags of gold
10 MS belt. The other took it, hid it
among the folds of the baby's dress,
securing it with pins which he took
from his pocket. The sleeping child
was then restored to her mother, who.
slightly lifting her troubled face, asked
no questions, but made the child COM
Portable, and shrank back into the
| corner
The nervous man, except that he
kept his eyes anxiously fixed upon the
place where his property was hidden,
seemed partly to recover his spirits.
".
conversation was resumed in low
tones. 1t seemed to those within the
coach as if the very sides of the vehicle
contained ears which would hear what
was said and report to their enemies.
The atmosphere was full of constraint
and dreadful expectancy.
The young man said, Trust my
word. There's going to be another
side to this business. Even now there
is an organization in Virginia and the
nelghooring towns, which, when it fair
ly gets to work, will surprise these ras-
Gals. Nobody knows who belongs. Of
course, but they are sturdy fellows who
mean that stage-coach shall get along
without being held up. Wouldn't mind
pull at the rope myself, that's going
to dangle some of the robbers he add
ed refiectively
Sir, l hope you do not approve of
! lynching, said the elderly gentleman.
| What the answer would have been
was never known, for just then a start
ling reminder of their dangerous situ-
alton occurred. Horses hoofs were
heard, and a man with masked face
rode by the coach, drawing rein and
peering into the window as he passed.
The elderly gentleman grasped his
revolver but laid it down with a sigh
| of relief as the unwelcome intruder
| passed on.
=" There said he, my trusty wea-
pom and my unmoved bearing have car
rled this coach through unprecedent-
ed danger. Did not tell you? Mad
anne, you see there is nothing to fear.
will be your protector
The nervous man, at first, paralyzed,
now made an effort to recover his bag
of gold from the baby.
Let it be-, said the young man.
Don you comprehend? That masked
villain simply wanted to make sure
that this was the right coach. He has
gone to join his gang, and If I mistake
not, the attack that I anticipated is
close at hand. Now take nv advice.
Say nothing about the one bag of gold,
and give up the other gracefully: 9TH
erWlse your life may pay the penalty.
1t is the best that cam be done. And
you, sir, keep your revolver out of
sight. It may do us all harm
The way grew wilder and Ionelier.
The horses were toiling up a steep hill.
The driver was plying his whip, and
shouting, Git up and git, you lazy var
| mints,' with many variations. Sud-
denly the stage stopped. Although all
had really expected this attack. every
one was startled when two masked
faces appeared at opposite windows Of
| the coach, and two ugly revoIvers were
thrust close to the passengers faces
Hands up came the order, and no pair
of hands went up quicker than those
belonging to the elderly gentleman
whose trusty weapon reposed calmly
in its owners pocket.
! A third man, also masked, on horse
| back, gave the words of command. He
was evidently the leader of the trio.
Here you, Johnny, to the driver,
! git down from there and give your
| tired horses a rest. Be merciful to
| EN-, Johnny. Never mind hitching on
| EN-; they won't run away. Been work.
in EN- hard, eh, Johnny? You know
me? Well, glad you do. We're going
to have little picnic by the way.
Fetch the gentlemen out. and show
EN- what picnic is. Maybe they amt
never enjoyed one before. eh, Johnny?
] ~ , I'll rr---