The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1906-07-07

fne blowing of the tired animals ana
the moaning of the old negress. Bever-
~ realized with sinking heart that
they were alone and helpless in the
mountains, with night upon them.
She never knew where the strength
1nd courage came from. but she forced
open the stubborn coach door and
scrambled to the ground. looking fran
tically in all directions for a single
sign Of hope. In the most despairing
terror she had ever experienced abe
started toward the lead horses, hoping,
against hope that at least one of her
men had remained faithful.
A man stepped quietly from the inner
side of the road and advanced with the
uncertain tread of one who is overcome
by amazement. He was q stranger
and wore an odd, uncouth garb. The
failing light told her that he was not
one of her late protectors She shrank
back with a faint cry of alarm, ready
to fly to the protecting arms of hopeless
Aunt Fanny if her uncertain legs could
carry her. At the same instant another
ragged stranger, then two, three, four
or five, appeared as if by magic, some
near her, others approaching from the
shadows
''Who-who In heavens name are
you?" she faltered. The sound of her
own voice in measure restored the
courage that had been paralyzed. I'm
consciously this slim sprig of southern
valor threw back her shoulders and
lifted her chin. If they were brigands
they should not find her a cringing
coward. After all. she was Calhoun.
The man she had first observed stop
ped near the horses heads and peered
intently at her from beneath a broad
and rakish hat. He was tall I'd APP
peared to be more respectfully clad
than his fellows, although there was
not one who looked as though he pos
Eessed a complete outfit of wearing ap-
Farel.
Poor wayfarers, may it please your
highness,' replied the tall vagabond,
bowling low. To her surprise he spoke
in very good English. His voicefwas
clear, and there was tinge of polite
irony in the tones. But all people are
alike in the mountains. The king and
the thief, the princess and the jade
live in the cannon fold.'' And his
hat swung SO low that 1t touched the
ground.
Il am powerless. / only implore you
to take what vaIuables you may find
and let US proceed unharmedw she
cried rapidly. eager to have it over.
pray, how can your highness pro-
coed? You have no guide, no driver,
no escort" said the man mockingly.
Beverly looked at him appealingly, ut
terly without words to reply. The
tears were yelling to her eyes, and her
heart was throbbing like that of cap
tured bird. In after life she was able
to picture in her minds eye all the
details of that tableau in the noun
tain pass-the hopeless coach, the
steaming horses. the rakish bandit and
his picturesque men, the towering
crags and a mite OF girl facing the
end of everything.
Your highness is said to be brave.
but even your wonderful courage can
avail nothing in this instance said
the leader pleasantly "Your escort
has fed as though pursued by some
thing stronger than shadows; your
driver has deserted; your horses are
half dead; you are indeed, as you have
said, powerless. And you are. besides
all these, in the clutches of a band OF !
merciless cutthroats."
"Oh,'' moaned Beverly, suddenly |
leaning against the fore wheel, her t
eyes almost starting from her head.
The leader laughed quietly-yes, good |
naturally. ..Oh, you won't-you won't |
kill us 2" She had timD to observe that |
there were smiles on the faces of all !.