Middletown transcript., 1904-07-30
not won't stop at all.

"
never thoughtof that, said Miss Jayes
If you are cross now, what would yol
be then? I remarked.
think / would lie face down on th
road and cry, she said.
We must get them on hill, said.
There is a lovely gorge about mill
from here, she said. The DEVILS Some
thing-I forget exactly what-but any
sway it is tremendous pull up.
Are you good for another mileG ask
ed.
She rose at once. We dare not risl
missing the stage, che said.
1t was long mile TO the gorge, but thu
road ran level for part of it and then dip
ped violently between sheer and rocky
cliffs, so that the walking was, most of il
steeply down hill. 1 have never seer
more romantic scenery, and as We sanl
into that enormous cleft OF the mountains
over-towered by pinnacles and crags, il
came over me again that California was
an untrodden and almost unknown coun
try. My pretty companion, who seated
herself on a rock, said, somewhat unpoet
ically, that we reminded her of two toajs
in well.
If couldn't think of something more
appropriate than that, would hold my
tongue, | said.
If you know any poetry you can repeat
it, she said.
| ask for nothing better than to look
into your eyes, l said.
You can certainl, say awfully sweet
things, she said.
Don't mention it, | said. What would
rot yougive for ham sandwich?
l am ashamed to say she returned.
We go through life tied to tables, l
said.
l looked at my watch and saw that we
had still an hour to wait.
A whole hour! she sighed.
4 A whole hour repeated with solem-
nifty. By gad, it was solemn.
Hush ! she exclaimed suddenly under
her breath. Didn't you hear something
over there-rustling in the chaparral?
Before had time to answer, the bushes
parted and man took step out into
the road. What made him somewhat
out of the ordinary was that his face was
masked and he had rifle which he let
drop on level with my stomach.
Hands up! he cried, in a growing
kind OF voice.
obeyed with promptitude. So did
Miss Jayes. Nothing could have been
smarter had we been rehearsing private
Run whispered to her. Run! They
would not shoot woman
But she remained by my side, white
and motionless, with her little hands in
the air.
II do not mean no harm to your sweet
heart, said the man. l am road-agent,
that is ALL l am just hanging around
here for the stage He still kept his rifle
pointed at me, with very large, dirty
forefnger on the trigger.
II it is only my money you want, you're
said. But please do not fright
en- the lady!
hope | am agentleman, even il | am
in this way of business, he said. Tell
her to put her hands down and never
mind, he added, with a queer sort of
chivalry, as though he would not pre-
sumo to address her directly.
DO you hear that -? | cad, AMI in reply
she made little choking gasp and low
cred her hands,. She was deadly pale,
but otherwise cool and quiet.
| waited for you to go, said the man.
gave you twenty chances to clear out
before up and spoke. but had to wait
here instead and listen to your everlast-
ng gas
| am sorry we incommoded you, l said.
I never guessed that this here place
vas lovers lane, he remarked, with a
hade of sarcasm.
wish you would take my money and
70, said. You can send back the watch
md will give you fifty dollars for it.
He looked at me in obvious perplexity,
lis eyes moving like an animals behind
he muslin mask.
am not out for snipe, he said. There
8 eight thousand dollars in the Wells
largo box, and | thoughtI was sure of it
i'll you came along.
You are what the papers call a lone
'andit, ! said.
That is right. he returned.
See here, / said. l haven't any gun,
nd if i had would not put up a fight |
yer a matter of twenty dollars. Let me |
ut my hands down and oblige me by |
ointing your Winchester somewhere
lse
He laughed nervously and told me to
o ahead, dropping the muzzle of his
as he did so.
You have plenty of sand, you lave, he
aid. do not wonder you are such a
liking feller with the gals
! Think you have some yourself, l said,
, stand up whole stage with an armed
OH the box 4
I am drove to it, lie said. l am desper-
te, and that is sure. / guess you would
e no better in my shoes. 1t is all them
'usts, he added despondeptly.
Well, what is going to happen next?
You can search me he replied vague-
Z.
l mean about us two-my friend and !.
lyself, said.
Blessed if | know he said.
We do not banker to be in anv gnn