Mexico Missouri message., 1908-08-20

10 pOby \ Drought one piece OF
luck. Stella" he said as he mounted
again. IT'S raining oveh there on
them Placervllle feliehs."
Stella looked south to the black
clouds overhanging high SUBMITS. and
hoped that Uncle Billy himself could
outdrivo the storm that was roaring
northward. They flashed by a toll
gate. the driver sending flying greet
ing to the gatekeeper.
Stella drew a breath OF relief for
the horses as they looked into fair
| Summit valley, a green gem set In the
midst OF barren rock and perpetual
snow. its smooth level the only re-
mlnder Of the lake II had supplanted.
Frosh horses at Tinker's. and on
again!
Ever seen Mr. Holidays palace
travelling coach?" Mr.. Montague asked
Uncle Billy little later.
NO. sab; but I've heard Of Il. What
does II look like"
It's luxury on wheels: bullet. proof.
with kitchen. dining room and bed.
room; all furnished gilt edged and
sporting a chef"
long whistle was the only answer.
for they had rounded point and were
looking out upon Donner lake, 5000
feet below.
To-day no luxurious passenger
speeding fast asleep through 40 miles
Of snow sheds may know the mag.
nificence OF that vision, the splendor
OF that morning flight down the zig.
tagging sleeps. A mile and half
as the crow flies, and but three miles
over the crooked wagon road. to the
beautiful blue lake that mirrors alike
heaven and tragedy. The way was too
steep and tortuous for speed; yet the
horses kept their steady gallop. the
coach pressing hard upon them: and
now and again the wheels on one side
or the other whirled high In air as
they swung around some sharp point
or into a clasping gorge.
Past tremendous reaches OF dark
forest. over long stretches OF ruck
yet unclothed by nature. Rattling
across torrent.cut gorges. over earth
"hlls," through narrow cuts. Ever
down, down! At last one more plunge
and out upon the haunted shore OF the
cerulean lake, the smooth, secret
lake, that carries within its soundless
bosom remembered horrors that named
1t.
Along It's level shores the roAd
stretched in straight or winding
spaces. fine track for racing. The
horses leaped forward to a dead run,
that never slackened till, at Coburn's,
beside the swift. tortuous Truckee. the
relief team met them.
On again. Out from fir forests and
rocky barriers. and into the desert
boundaries.
Chamberlain and breakfast!
How glad they were to stretch them.
selves on earth once more! Yet no
time for dallying.
Made the last three miles In nine
minutes!" Mr.. Montague announced as
he walked into the dining room.
but no one replied. HurryinR
walters, steaming dishes. silent. busy
passengers-the scant halt passed like
n gust; and again they were flying.
Again upward. past the spouting
Tartarus-smelling Steamboat springs
over the smooth Geiger grade. and al
last into the gray. struggling city huns
against the bare breast OF Mount Dav
idson-Vlrginia. golden goal OF theil
flight
Superintendent Crocker, watch II
hand, stood on the hotel steps to wei
come them, as Uncle Billy swung II
with a grand finishing flourish.
One o'clock! Twenty-one hours ant
Ave minutes from San Francisco! HuT
rah for you. Billy Dodge!" Mr. Crocke
cried; and rousing cheers echoed from
the waiting crowd.
From Colfax our driver has aver
aged a mile in four and n third min
utes," Mr.. Montague called, lookln
up from n quick calculation.
by George. Montague! That a
most beats engine and steamer! Hui
rah again, boys!"
But where's the Placehville stage
Uncle Billy asked as he came stifly u
the steps, Stella by his side.
This came an hour ago." Mr.. CrocI
-. er said. putting a dispatch in tn
drivers hand. Read that" he e1
claimed exultingly.
strawberry Valley, noon. HeaV
rains. heavy roads, heavy loads
ny Uncle Billy read.
IT, Were In time, then?" Stella whi
pered softly.
hs Uncle Billy nodded. Wilder cheer
All made speech impossible.
10 Strawberry Valley was 63 mile
en- away!
CTo BE coNTINUED)