The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-05
THE EVENING STORY
The Little Marquis.
(By Louise Merrileld.)

1T is perfectly safe, Flo, don't be
ninny."
Miss Cameron went on packing her
suitcase placidIy.
Over On the windowseat sat Flo, the
picture of trouble and forebodins.
1T is not all right. You know your
self what Jack told us-not to take the
Mariposa stage. It's not fifteen miles
from the penitentiary, and they have
mt caught those men yet. Leslie, I
think it's actually selfish of you to in
sist on the trip just purely because
you're starved for adventure"
Then stay here, and come over the
at Mariposa.''
Flo looked up with sudden inspir-
alton.
It's not love of adventure You're
bound to go on this stage because the
Marquis is going. 1 heard him tell you
SO at dinner last night. Leslie! And
you almost engaged to Jackl'
Composedly Leslie finished her pack
ing, closed and locked her suitcase.
Love of adventure, dear. Surely
the MARQUIS is an adventure all by his
lOnelies, isn't he?"
Flo started to say something very
forcible, but words failed her. She
set her teeth, and banged a couple of
| books into a corner, then rose reso-
lutely, and began her own packing.
They had been travelling west from
Denver for the past month, taking the
trip by easy stages, over the most pic
turesque route. At the coast they
were to pick up the other members of
the party, and his mother, and some
cousins from Santa Barbara. They had
parted from them at the Springs, and
gone on together, as it was their first
trip through the west. And then had
come the Marquis.
They met him first at Pass Magda-
lena. He was not as tall as Leslie, nor
as handsome as Jack. but there was an
indescribable air of distinction about
him, of deferential courtesy which set
him apart from the happy free and
easy crowd at the summer hotel on the
mountain top. He did not mix with
the common crowd of tourists, but had
seemed attracted at once to Leslie.
The girls had left the Pass with some
regret, but at the next stopping place,
the Marquis appeared a day after their
own arrival That was the night when
Leslie had decided to wear her very
prettiest gown at dinner. the one she
was reserving for Santa Barbara and
violet tinted crepe de chine, and with
it. she wore the famous Cameron
pearls, the only jewels she had brought
west with her. That evening they had
met the Marquis. He was most prop
erly presented by stout Mrs. earle, the
Senator's wife, who had been in the
same party as the girls
MY dear, he is charming-and a
marquis Absolutely irreproachable,
so Stanley tells me. No. Stanley had
not met him before today. They be-
came acquainted as men will, you
know, and Stanley brought him to me,
and he begged to meet you. So there
you are. Believe me, his heart lies at
your feet"
That was all, except thu wherever
| IL I'll. he,
Marquis had appeared on their trail.
The stage left the hotel at z that
morning, and the girls took an outside
seat For miles they rode steadily up
ward through the mountain pass, and
the Marquis sat beside Leslie, talking
to her in the slow, interesting way he
had. Flo, indignant, and preoccupied,
listened. Somehow, she could not like
him, and to think of dear, lovely Leslie
falling Il victim to title. She Won
dered what their father would say. If
only they could reach Santa Barbara,
Jack might be able to turn her back.
Just behind her a couple of men
were talking, and something they said
arrested her attention.
Escaped from San Quentin. yes,
four, last week. They shot one a few
miles from here. The others are in
without food or money for escape.
Understood to be part Of Risto's band.
Risto, the Mexican, price on his head,
refugee since the war ended. Came
north, and lived by raids
The stage came to a sudden halt at
a sharp turn in the road. Below them
was the canon, with almost perpen-
dicular walls at this point The driver
sprang down.
"BouIders across the road he call
ed out. Its the raiders. I reckon"
Almost as he spoke four men sprang
from the underbrush anG leveled rifles
at the passengers. The Marquis very
suitcase. and swung it over to the
nearest man.
what do you mean ?" demanded
Leslie, half rising.
81 regret it much. most sweet one.'
smiled the little Marquis. at must have
those pearls. I thank you for q most
joyous journey, and viii take a kiss for
memory
Leslie's hand had reached into her
little leather handbag. Suddenly she
drew it out, and it held a small, very
neat revolver that Jack had given her
And while the men in the coach stood
with hands up, and the driver lay
wounded, Leslie Cameron lived up to
her good Virginia blood, and shot
squarely at the man before her.
They arrived late, but Jack was
there to meet them The news had
Travelled faster, as they had had to
procure another driver He looked a
bit worn, but hesitated not bit when
he saw the girls And neither did
Leslie. Most willingly did she go to
him.
he released her.
Around my neck. never part with
them when am travelling" she smiled