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

knew; perhaps, IN the interest of
his narration. Jehu- loosened his
hold on the reirs, bpt in moment
! the horses gave sudden leap to
lone side, the stage turned over, and
the passengers, bSg and baggage,
were scattered over the road. For
tnnately, no one was injured. ex-
cept 'sSavonarols," as Bessie called
the young clergyman. His fecs vas
cut and bruised. and. 4ezah sftes
the rest of the party had re-entered
the wagon, and with true Western
grit dismissed the accident as too
trifling for notice, he appeared ner-
woes and i'll. Bessie looked at him
compassionately. How pale he was !!
81 wish | could do something for
him." she thought.
| AS if in answer TO her kindly i'm
pulse, the recollection of Susan's
bag flashed into her mind.
1t was the work of few moments
to unstrap her valise from its place
on the roof of the stage. Timidly
she offered her services as nurse to
the Youthful .Savonarola,' and was
surprised and touched by the in
tense gratitude on the sufferers
face. Gently she wiped away the
bits OF gravel which adhered to his
bruised forehead. Then, mentally
blessing Susan's forethought, she
applied Ponds Extract aud some
sticking-plaster, binding over all
the soft piece of old linen. She in
structed the gentleman also in the
use OF the methol pencil, and in
less than an hour the lines Of pain
relaxed and the white face of the
patient gained touch of color.
The night closed in with heavy
storm. The accident had caused a
delay of nearly two hours, aud it
would be nine o'clock at night at
least before the next station could
be reached.
Slowly the horses picked .their
way along. The lantern swung
l from the eaxle- tree threw but faint
CLEAN across the inky blackness.
1t only needed that a single hoof
should slip, and they would be
hurled down ravines thousand of
feet in depth. Still the driver talk.
ed on with undiminished energy.
! Good night for the mail robbers
he said, cbeerily. Them felle.s
has eyes like cat, and is covered
with ears! Like as not they know
the paymaster's bag is on behind
'And my gold beads said Bessie
anxiously; do you think they
would be mean enough to take
them y
Beg pardon said low voice
almost in Bessie's ear, what are
those treasures you speak Of 2
Recognizing her patient in the
inquirer and glad of any sympa-
thizing listener, Bessie told the
story of the lovely necklace, her
grandmother's parting gift.
! Scarcely had the last word left
her lips, when the night seemed
alive with flashing lights, yells, and
pistol shots. Instantly che bits of
the horses were seized aud the stage
surrounded by a crowd of white
masked men. Jehu was dragged
from his seat, and his hands were
tied with pieces Of the reins, and
Bessie found herself emphatically
deposited in mud-puddle.
In less time than it takes to tell
the story. the baggage was ransaek-
ed, the Government mail captured, /,
the traces cut and the horses sent
wildly rushing down toward Crazy
; Woman. Then, with q mocking
yell, the robbers disappeared in the
J darkness.
; Where is Bessie p cried an agon-
lied voice, and Captain Gray rush
. ed frantically about looking for his
little charge.
A cry from one of the soldiers
, chilled his blood.
Here she is, csptain-bleeding
, to DEATH
Tenderly they raised the slight
J form, The 5im light of lantern
shone on che pretty white face,
. down which a crimson tide was
, slowly flowing.
! Hit in the head, / reckon. sir
, but | can't seem to find the bullet.
, The blue eyes opened and the
, lips parted. The captain bent
clnsar. uerhans he mi0hf he .hi.