Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-09

wide sombrero. Presently there an
peared in the doorway the lady in
black, to whom Slammons calamity
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 1
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-
bic hghtness and took the vacant seat
in the forward corner.
Colonel. you'll look after her" said
S'ammons at the door: she's in my
charge. Widow of Thompson, she is.
him that was killed down 20 the Blue
Moon mine last month. but she don't
savvy a word Of English bein' French.
You knOwed Thompson. didn't ye,
colonel?"
Yes, knew him well enough. but
l never knew that he had a widow"
growled the colonel IN look after
her-in English The door slammed
and the stage rolled ahead
AS the coach pulled out the clouds
parted for an instant and a bright ray
OF sunlight lit up the interior. striking
fun upon the dark veil OF the new ar
rival It made visible the outlines OF
her face. and those who caught a
glimpse of IL were convinced that the
lady was handsome. Indeed, Cactus
Bill, unable 20 repress his emotions,
leaned over TO the doctor and voiced
his admiration in husky whisper, to
which the latter responded with an
asserting 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
invariably treated with chivalrous
gallantry; men hasten 10 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 a little restraint which Gao.
tus Bill vain!y endeavored 20 dispel.
"A bad place to be held up along
here" remarked the major. after an
unusually long silence. during which
the stage had slowly pounded over a
huge rock. and then slid on with an
unpleasant crunch. Il should hate TO
fall into the hands OF road agent for
i have little matter OF twelve hun.
dred dollars about me which I don't
care 70 lose. OF course we're all
friends here?" he added hastily
There was a general assent. and
then IL 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 II in
a package sewed In his clothing next
20 his body where it was quite mac.
cessible TO dishonest persons.
Il believe that II would take
pretty smart chap TO ind 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 al
his shrewdness. An this time, in fact
since leaving the relay station. the
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. II must be sort OF lonely
for the lady there, ridin' alone with no
one 10 say blamed word to her. Why
don't you try her with somethin' civil
in the French lingo, IL it's only to pass
the time OF day civil like? She must
think we're fine bunch of mummies."
The colonel's bronzed features took
on deeper shade OF red, and he
coughed in an embarrassed manner.
When was in the army" he respond
ed. Il could talk french with anyone.
but I'm afraid that I've grown a leetle
out of practice"
We'll. have a whirl at il anyway"
persisted Crosby. There won't be no
harm done, even If you can't make her
sayvy."
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 IN
known, who made no reply. Cactus
Bill grinned triumphantIy at the dis
comhted colonel, and the latter
frowned Indignantly.
Il told you that | was a trife rusty
in my French" he said haughtily.
Living among the ignorant set OF
asses that populate this part of the
country, it's a wonder that I remem-
Der any OF II at all. But bet IL had
the advantage OF this lady's society to
myself Tor a short while I'd manage
to make her understand"
Turning to the lady again he smiled
graciously and resorted to the Ian
guage of signs. while Cactus Bill
watched him with cynical leer. Much
to the surprise Of the mine owner,
however, the lady appeared impressed
by the warriors eloquent gestures,
nodded with vivacity and, drawing
silver case from her pocket. took
therefrom a cigarette, which. after