Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-08-19

Logan was situated fifty miles /,
the west, and couId BE- reached onl,
by stage. As soon as they has
breakfasted, they were to start fol
the post.
Bessie never forgot The meal 81,
ate on that memorable Thursda,
morning. On . push pinr table
guiItless Of linea, xeye thrown tin
plates. not over clszz, ns....'er d
bottles, and fen p<aes The eds,
bles caneissea s< 1eaden biscnit. BIT.
ter coffee, and dry salt ham. Cow.
boys. indians, Cinnamon, miners,
a few enlisted men on their troop,
and several Englishman ssdoing''
the country. we're grouped about
the table, soma standing, some sit
ting, and all esting heartily.
As she glanced around. Bessie
shudderingly recalled her grand
mothers prediction OF .'battle,
murder, and sudden death. The
host was certainly the living image
of murderer in sensational dra
ma she had lately seen, aud his lit
tie Indian wife looked as ifshe sup
ped on blood. But there was one
among the party of Englishmen
who attracted her attention from
the first.
"What a handsome man." she
thought. "l am sure he must be
somebody of Importance; perhaps
he is a nobleman travelling incog-
nito. .Oh, how the girls would en-
Wy me, If / could write home and
tell them | had travelled with real
live lord ~
The face opposite would have
been noticeable anywhere; and,
amid such rude surroundings, its
extreme refinement was rendered
more conspicuous. The features
we're of the Italian type, and the
strong manly face was cleanshaven
save for very slight dark mou-
stache, which did not conceal the
firm yet sensitive mouth.
As Bessie wondered TO whom this
ideal beauty might belong. pair
of grave dark eyes met hers in a
glance of kindly interest.
"I was wrong" she said to her.
self. "He is young clergyman,
travelling for his health. He looks
JUS: as Savonarola must have done
when he was young-he has that
same devout uplifted expression ! !
wonder if he can't be going to Fort
Logan ?'
He evidently was; for, when the
stage drove up to the door, he took
bag and clerical-looking coat on
his arm and stepped out on the lit
tie platform.
Bessie could scarcely believe the
evidence of her senses.
"Call that rickety wagon stage.
coach ?" she exclaimed. "Why, il
would not hold together two miles.
Into, it, in spite of her fears, she
had to 60. The place of honor
the seat by the driver--was given
to her, and into this seat she was
fastened by an enormous strap
which recalled the days of her per.
ambulator. Following the advice
of the captain, she exchanged her
smart travelling hat for q Tam
O'ShaDter, covered by thick veil
1t needed but few minutes driv,
ing over the alkali plains to con.
vince her Of the wisdom of her act
The hot air burned and tanned
with every breath, and the horrible
swaying Of the vehicle made any
other kind of head-gear means oi
torture.
Like all of his class, the driver
was a character. lie had th,
history of the country at histongue'I
end. and glibly spun yarn after
yarn
Jumping, plunging. almost roll
ing over precipices, the stage dashed
wildly on. Fervently Bessie vishet
that the Jehu would stop talkinl
and attend to bis horses, but all in
vain; above the creaking of tn,
wheels and the snap of the whip
the loquacious tide flowed on it,
unceasing flow.
"Had she heered about the rob
bers that was working along th,
line? Day before yesterday, jim
Slater was shot by one Of the gang
and his mail stole; and q man Il
Crazy Woman had his money ul
thet he-Jehu-wonld die in hi