Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1903-05-29
"A BRIDAL
TRIP
by Henry Lyle
Copyright. 1900, ,sby T. @. McClure

bly,. Consequently every one inleresl7
In any particular trip OF the Nephi
stage hoped that the number or pas
sengers would be limited to four.
At Millstown, the half way station.
the grinning face Of the hostler was
thrust through the stage window, and
the four passengers already inside
groaned. They knew the sign.
1.-TWO passengers, gents. Kindly git
tgether," the hostler announced.
The stage door was flung open. A
woman was rarity along the Neph
stage line and a bride unheard of, yet
the first passenger to be tremendously
thrust into their midst was very evil
dently n bride. Had all other signs
failed. which they did not, there were
several kernels of rice sticking to the
back OF her veil. The tall. thin, spindle
shanked young man who followed her
was lust as evidently bridegroom.
Their clothing and manners proclaimed
them of the east and brand new.
The bridegroom carried suit case,
which he pushed to one side after set
tling his bride as comfortably as the
middle seat permitted. Then he fitted
his knees between the passengers In
front of him and looked solicitously at
his yelled bride. "Tired, dearieT' he
asked.
"Just n little. darling" she answered,
touching his shoulder lightly with hers.
Wasn't il just lovely the way we got
away from themY she continued. Il
thought once they would really find
out where we were going. Wouldn't II
have been terrible? But you were such
Il darling, YOU
There was n suppressed snicker be
hind them. One of the passengers FAC
Ing them gulped and crammed his
mouth full OF tobacco. "Chaw, pard-
ner?' he asked. extending the package
TO his seat companion, the fat store
keeper OF AlkaH City.
The man shook his head. Hear
bout tn hOldup las weekT he asked,
winking hard.
"Naw. Yeou don't mean { say there's
been er holdup in these here days, do
ycouY
"Turrible! One man kilt an thirty
thousan' dollars tookw the storekeep-
or answered. covertly watching the
bridal couple.
ooh. darlingw exclaimed the bride.
"Why did we come To this awful
place? Take me back-can't you. dar-
lineT
The bridegroom shook his head.
Don't be afraid. dearie. I'm with YOU"
His voice sounded weak and tremu-
lous.
one OF the men behind him laughed,
and the bridegroom flushed deeply ana
made n reply which was unintelligibly
iumbled by the rapid lurching of the
stage. which at that moment entered
the rougher sections OF the road.
The sharp report Of a pistol startled
the iostled passengers and brought the
stage TO stop with a suddenness
which jerked the bride into the arms
Of the storekeeper.
The smoking muzzle of n revolver
was thrust through the window, ana n
voice exclaimed: Hands up. Step out
SIDE gents
No one hesitated. One after the 9th
or. with hands well up, the passengers
alichtcd and stood In line along the
roadside. The bride came last and the
robber hesitated, astonished, as she
stepped down.
Excuse me. MISS" he exclaimed
lifting his hat before he felt about the
mems clothes for weapons. Sorry I
disturb yeou, but business Is business.
Now. Tom" he continued, address
ing the driver, my pardner,' motion
ing 10 n second robber who stood hold
ing the horses heads, will keep yeou
covered while | look inter things"
The driver laughed. I'm afeared
yeour goin' L be disappointed this trip
Black John. s. far as | know, there
amt no treasure in this load"
The bride gave a faint. cry, staggered
and toppled over into the arms of the
bridegroom, which, regardless OF or
ders. came down TO receive her.
The robber swore. Keep yeour hands
upr' he cried, swinging around anc
covering the line with his revolver
Let tn tenderfoot look after tn gal
She's only tainted"
He had pulled several pieces out OF
the stage when an unusual movement
behind him caused him to turn hi'
head. He looked directly into the muz
zle of forty-four, held by the bride
1--WE got you dead TO rights, Blacl
john" low voice whispered. "N'
noise or I'll let loose"
The bridegroom held similar weap
on mt the other robber. who, uncon
scious OF the slight change In affairs
was twitting the driver. "Now. Billy
drop your gum the bridegroom called
The man made an offensive move
ment. There was fash. a sharp re
port. and the shattered reyolye
| dropped from the robbers hand
Hands way up, Billy, or it'll be yo1
next timer the bridegroom command
ed as he walked over and relieved tn
robber OF his other gun. NOW. yo'
fellows. Black John and Billy, get III
OH the leaders blame quick. No par
leyingw
Black John glanced at the bride.
Come" she said. Get along. NJ
husband says you've got to ride
| leader"
The bridegroom swung himself o
one OF the pole horses while the brio
stood In the roadway and held his gui
After he had mounted she lifted th
| suit case out OF the stage, handed IL I
| the driver and then climbed up on IN
box beside him.
The driver frowned. "Yeou-yeo'
amt goin' ~ he began. but the situa
ton was too novel for him, and he sub
sided into astonlshed silence az tn
bride turned her yelled face towar'
him and suggested that her HUSBAND
| wanted him to drive on. He cracke'
his whip, and the stage started.
Progress was slow, and the stage wa
go late In getting to Alkali City tina
The entire population was lined up i
front OF the Palace hotel In anticipa
ton Of something out Of the ordinary
Their expectations were more than RI