The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-03-25

thin. - txis, said ~ /. t Gl Skla
thumb toward Craig's: and 'was
. thirsty look In his eye.
"All right" said Gray. But the tone
was not so responsive as his words.
And yet taking something now
would be the beginning of that week
of happy oblivion to which he had
heen rushing so blindly. Happy? He
looked at Jim, whose eyes were shot
with crimson threads and whose hand
shook like the needle In his lost tran
cit. Still he slowed the horses and
headed them straight for Craig's
And then q vOice-Muriel's beyond
ouestion-Roated to him from some
where out of the vortex of the memo
ries he was trying his best to stifle.
and made his puzzled will ~ shaky AZ
Jim's nerveless hands. He started up
in wonder and for an instant . blur
lay all over the shabby little town,
upon which. however, the sun-glare
was playing so strongly - to dispel
all belief in the vision which he had
thought at the first must surely accom-
pany that voice. He glanced ut the
rakish uncouth little band ofEidlers in
front of Craig's and they again took
on their look of everyday reality
Then once more came the voice, clear
in tone, but the words, whatever they
were, or prayer or warning, were lost,
for Jim's heavy, swill-fed breath was
pursuing him with: Craig keeps the
best straight goods on the hull road
Gimme them lines, now. You're aw-
full kind to take 'em back there. I
dunno what made me SO dopey.s What
l need Is a little bracer."
But Gray did not give up the lines.
He headed the leaders out and down
the road, though they tried to swing
in as was their wont-headed them
straight out, and smote the middle
team fercely. - =.
whats up? Amt yeh goin' to stop
here?" demanded Jim. 'Lemme have
them there lines" ...ss.,:.,sgas
mo street" The whip snapped VI
ciously over the wheelers. The stage
was of in cloud Of dust, while the
loungers at Craig's stood up and
shouted after it, waving their hands.
But we've got to stop there. It's
as good as my contracts WORTH" in
sisted Jim. .,-s.szs.
"Oh, hang your contract" said Gray.
I'm more afraid of that place than
l am of the stage-robber. You can go
back later and pick up the mail II you
want to. I'm going to Presley's Flat.
Got important business there that cant
wait" :; H.,
The stage-driver tried to take the
reins from his hands, but he chung on,
and swung along with a free brake
down the grade to Presley's in fifteen
after passing Squaw Valley
There he handed the lines to Jim, and
said: You'll excuse me, but | had to
meet some friends here. Guess I got
in ahead of them" - e
That's all right, young feller," said
the stage-driver, admiringly. And
when you want a job at handling stage
horses let me know. I'll recommend
you. You're the best man at sling
in snake ever see But don't know
Why you was so blamed anxious to get
by Squaw Valley. We might g got a 4
drink therein ALFRED thirsty-but
there amt a drop O bug jooce in this
place. Presley's one O. them silly rro-
The passengers all got down from
the coach before Gray stepped from
the box. He was "a bit frayed around
the edges" as he said, and didn't feel
like meeting anybody. But he had to
meet some one, for one of the yelled
young women came forward before he. 1
stepped over the wheel and spoke con-
cernedly to him in Muriels voice:
"Gray, get right down and let me see
your face. What's the matter with It.
It's all blood" ~
He had forgotten his scratch, but
he wiped his face, mechanically now.
while he. stared at Muriel, and asked:
"How did you ever get here? We're
you inside all the timer"
Eyes; I came up with Kate Nichols.
She's going to teach the Squaw Valley
school,"
"And you thought you might run
across me up here, too, didn't you, and
go back to Fresno with me?" he asked,
tenderly, putting his arm around her
right before the whole crowd.
She smiled and. blushed Eyes"
But your face?" she asked, solicitous-
ly.
"Oh, it's nothing-just Craze. I
doesn't hurt. But must apologize to
your friend for carrying her past her
station"
"You-were you driving? Did you
hun away from the robber?" and she
smiled upon him, proudly.
Eyes, I drove; and I've got such q
lot to tell you. Come away from the
rest and get the sad story of my bad
luck" :
They walked down the road a little
way, and he told her of his loss and
how it had so nearly undone him.
And that was the reason why we