The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-10-28


pected
A few days later | found myself riding
along a rocky road that wriggled between
->precipitous walls in the mountains of FL
liot county. A little stream Uttered along
the route, and, far above, the pine-harps
sang soft tunes
Ali at once my horse reared, bent his
fine neck, spread his nostrils, and snorted
alarm.
The next second, sharp report shat
tered the silence. My horse, quivering,
stood in the center of the road. The next
second, the click of dry branch was
heard above me- Then a splash among
green leaves. Then, down across the pom
mel of my saddle, dropped huge wild cat,
his bosom squirting blood What did all this
mean? While sitting in helpless wonder
ment, the air began to bubble with must
cal laughter / gazed about, seeking the
source of this concord of sweet sounds
Soon came a velvety swish among the
paw-paw bushes at the left of the road.
Turning my eyes, fearfully but eagerly, l
saw a face, framed by green foliage. From
the face smiles sped like sunbeams and,
at their touch, / felt my own grow in
stantly bright. Was l dreaming? If so, |
prayed to awaken never! But | was not
dreaming Out through the screen Of
leaves pushed the form of young woman,
clad in blue velvet. She had on her head
white mans hat, the left brim pinned to
the side of the crown, revealing a broad
band of squirming hair above the ear. A
great lot of lazy, yellow curls lolled on her
shoulders.
| sat speeches., watching the riot of
beauteous expression in her face.
had seen that face before. Nay, had
it in my heart-in the locket of memory
Directly she advanced within touch Of
me- and, reaching up a shapely hand, she
said: "AIr. Leon Clifford, are you not go.
ing to shake my hand, and congratulate
me for saving your throat from that wild
cat? He was trying to spring on you when
| sprang a surprise on him..
took her proffered hand, and as the
current of magnetism flashed along the
line of my nerves, | said, not knowing
what else to say: "Im certainly thankful
to you for depriving me of this wanton
enemy, but how did you know my name%
"Oh, I've known your name for several
years, and became especially familiar with
it of late, since it was known that you
would free the hills of the moonshiner
| king"
81 presume I'm not far from his haunts?"
| said, feeling heroic surge in my soul.
Not very far, but you can't arrange to
capture him this evening You will go
home with me. live only short distance
from here"
81 thank you for the hospitable offer, but
must be going on now"
ooh, no; you'll not go on this evening,
sir" she said, tapping her gun, and smil-
| ing significantly. 81 invite you kindly to
| go with me, and hope I'll not have to say
| you shall go, sir"
"You won't have to use that gun to per.
suade me" l said, nervously, "Yll 60"
"Of course you will"
A short distance ahead, the narrow
throat of the gorge widened into beauti-
full bosom of green valley, in the center of
which white house shone in the declin.
ing sun like silver star.
When we got to the gate great, broad
tall giant came ambfng down the path
towards us, his hands in his pockets, and
a benevolent smile struggling through his
shaggy beard.
Mr. Leon" said the girl, gayly, '1et me
introduce you to my father, the celebrated
outlaw, Buster Tsggart!"
A few minutes later l was chatting with
Miss Flora Taggart in the parior, when
she arose, and, going to the es,s.ertaile,
brought a photograph of handsome boy
whom | recognized as the youthful Leon
Clifford.
81 got it from your clearinghouse mis-.
tress the night after met you in Lexing
ton" she said, and she took it back, and
looked as if she was mentally kissing it.
Il have your photograph, too" l said
Gin the locket of my soul"
Two weeks later, as | introduced my
beautiful wife to my chief, said; 81 did
not bring back Buster but here is the favor
ite member Of his gang"