The log cabin Democrat., 1909-11-16

The halt was necessarily short, and the passengers were soon back in the coach, the horses had been changed, and all was ready for the start But Slammons fingered, and when he at length appeared at the door seemed to be in no hurry. He stood there sur veying the scene with a severely criti- cal eye, in his mouth cigar, tipped up at such an angle that the glowing angle nearly touched the brim of his wide sombrero. Presently there ap- peared in the doorway the lady in black, to whom Slammons gallantly offered him arm and thus escorted to the coach. Surprise was depicted on each face when the coach door opened and Slammons, looking in, remarked authoritatively: Sorry, gents, but I shall have to trouble you. Here's a lady goin to Milton, and she's goin inside. Jump in, marm." And the young woman jumped with remarka- ble lightness and took the vacant seat in the forward corner.
 Colonel you'll look after her." said Slammons at the door; she's in my l 1 him that was killed down to the Blue l Moon mine last month, but she don't savvy word of English, bein French. l You knowed Thompson, didn't ye, 1 colonel?"
 Yes, l knew him well enough, but i I never knew that he had widow | growled the colonel. 'Ill look after in ich To 1rt1a aI and the stage rolled ahead.
 As the coach pulled out the clouds 1 parted for an instant and a bright ray i of sunlight lit up the interior, striking | full upon the dark veil of the new ar 1 rival. It made visible the outlines of ! her face, and those who caught a | glimpse of it were convinced that the l lady was handsome. Indeed, Cactus l Bill, unable to repress his emotions, leaned over to the doctor and voiced his admiration in a husky whisper to which the latter responded with an assenting nod of much vigor. Nowhere in the world is lady more certain of respectful consideration than in the wilder portions of the west. She is
 
 gallantry; men hasten to do her hon. age and are proud to be commanded by her, Still the presence of Mrs. Thompson in the coach acted on the party as q little restraint which Cac tus Bill vainly endeavored to dispel
 "A bad place to be held up along here" remarked the major, after an c;1 Wh the stage had slowly pounded over huge rock, and then slid off with an unpleasant crunch. 'I should hate to fall into the hands of road agent, for I have a little matter of twelve hun dred dollars about me which 1 don't care to lose. Of course we're all friends here?" he added hastily.
 There was a general assent, and then it came out that each man was carrying various sums of money, ranging from five hundred to four thousand dollars, the last amount be- ing the property of the colonel, who described how he had concealed it in package sewed in his clothing next to his body where 1t was quite inac
 
 T believe that It would take pretty smart chap to find that" he re- marked complacently as he slapped his hand on the spot where the treas ure was concealed. The truth of this statement was not to be denied and murmurs of admiration were heard at his shrewdness. All this time, in fact -;,, hA rnlo tot tIA mysterious Mrs. Thompson had not moved or changed her position. She still kept her veil down, and in the slowly waning light her black dress seemed to emphasize the shadows in the coach.
 At length Cactus Bill, having recov- cred from his first rebuff, touched the colonel on the arm.
 Colonel" he said, I've often heard as how you was strong on the foreign languages. It must be sort of lonely for the lady there, ridn' alone with no one to say blamed word to her. Why don't you try her with somethin' civil in the French lingo, if it's only to pass the time of day civil like? She must
 
 The colonels bronzed features took on deeper shade of red, and he coughed in an embarrassed manner. When was in the army" he respond ed, q could talk rrench with anyone. but I'm afraid that I've grown a leetle out of practice"
 Well, have a whirl at it anyway" persisted Crosby. There won't be no harm done, even if you cant make her savvy."
 Thus urged, the colonel bent for ward and stammered a few words which might or might not have been French. At all events their sense did not seem to appeal to the fair un- known, who made no reply. Cactus Bill grinned triumphaptly at the dis comfited colonel, and the latter drowned indignantly.
 q told you that l was trit1e rusty in my French" he said haughtily.