Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-10-14

The bullion guard laughed carelessly
at the good-natured jest Of his mana
ger. He was used to Whipple's final
injunctions about not losing the "yel-
low stuff" He had an hour and a half
to make the eight miles into Ouray,
and felt very easy about arriving IN
time to catch the passenger train be-
fore it left 1t had been years since
any trouble had occurred on Sneffel's
road.
He rode along unconcernedly, mus
ing over his morning ride with Miss
McSwain. AS he neared the end Of
the third mile between the mine and
the Potosi school, he wondered IL She
would be working late and II he by
any chance would see her. There GER
tainly was a girls figure at the stile,
and a pony favoring Prince tethered
at the gateway. Could she be waiting
for him? II 30 it was the first time.
lie put the thought aside. 1t was too
much to hope for.
As he came into sight Nellie Nc
Swain. for it was she, rose, and began
walking rapidly toward him.
"Mr. Aldersonw she gasped with
breathless excitement. you must turn
back. There's something wrong to-
nightw She leaned against Swinging
Sarah, putting out hand to catch the
bride rein.
"Why. what's the matter, Miss Nc
Swain?" Alderson's self-consciousness
disappeared at sight Of her agitation.
Jake Andrews just rode down from
the Revenue few minutes ago, and
said Black Jack and his gang from
the Blue Hills are in this neighbor-
hood to-day. He thinks they are lurk-
ing about in the hills between here
and Ouray. The telephone wires are
cut, and there are no means Of COM
munication with town"
Anderson remembered vaguely that
the chief accountant had been vainly
endeavoring to get central a few min
utes before he left the office.
You know the gang" she contln-
ued. They stop at nothing; they
would kill man for five dollars"
He looked down upon her with
quiet regard. And you waited here
to tell me this? 1t was good Of you,
Miss McSwain." His words conveyed
the reverence he felt. Then he drew
himself up in the saddle and laughed,
his gray eyes swapping with the zest
Of adventure.
The girls form grew tense, and she
clung fiercely to the rein. you sha'n't
risk it Mr.. Anderson. The towards
may be waiting down there now to
pick you of. You have no right to
place that gold in jcopardyr
The gold! How the words stung
him. She was thinking only Of It,
and she was right. Whipple would
not thank him for losing the bullion
by a rash move. Yet 1t must reach
Ouray in time for No. 5.
"You don't understand, Miss Nc.
Swain; l must get this gold to the
station within an hour. 1t must be
there"
"Yes, but you need not 60 alone
Leave it with me while you go bach
for help; Swinging Sarah can move
faster without 1t. l can protect 1t
nobody will know; it will be safe with
me. Go back, for my sake, Tom"
Had he heard aright-was that hi,
first name on her lips? He seemed t.
see but dimly the clinging figure, n.
through a mist. Then he reached dowr
, and lifted the carefully sacked rotor
from the saddle-bag.
What will you do with 1t Wher,
will you keep it?" His throat wa
burning and he could hardly speak.
"Herev' she cried, my dinner
basketw
, Good! I've no time to lose. In
t afraid l can't make it, but you shal
) have your way. Wait here till
! come back"
Nellie McSwain stood motionless TO
. moment as she heard him gallo
. away. She looked at the white napki
: over her dinner basket, concealing il
s heavy load.
"What have done" Her first fee
! ing was one Of fear, and she wa
n white and trembling. "He will neve
t make 1t, and the gold must be ther,
t Ah! The idea came to her forcibly
) and for moment unnerved her. The
came that fash; her eyes for a mt