The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-07
BY LOUISE MERRIF1EI.D.
Copyright, 1911. by the Associated
Literary Press,)

Literary PreSS.)
1T is perfectly safe. Flo. don't be
a ninny." -
Miss Cameron went on packing her
suitcase placidly.
Over on the window seat sat Flo,
the picture of trouble and forebod-
ing.
It's not all right. You know your
self what Jack told us--nof to take
the Mariposa stage. It's not fifteen
miles from the penitentiary. and they
haven't caught those men yet Leslie.
think it's actually selfish OF you to
insist on the trip just purely because
you're starved for adventure"
Then stay here, and come over
the other route Saturday III wait for
you at Mariposa.'
Flo looked up with q sudden inspi-
ration.
It's not love OF adventure. You're
bound to go on this stage because the
Marquis is going. heard him tell YOU
SO at dinner last night. Leslie. And
you almost engaged to Jack"
Composedly Leslie finished her
packing, closed and locked her suit
case.
Love of adventure, dear. Surely
the Marquis is an adventure all by
his lonesome. isn't he?"
Flo started to say something very
forcibie. but words failed her. She
set her teeth and banged couple Of
| hooks 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
picturesque route. At the coast they
were to pick up the other members
tof the party. and his mother. and
some cousins from Santa Barbara.
They had parted from them at the
springs, and gone on together, az II
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 indescrihabie air OF distinc-
ton about him, OF deferential cour-
tesy, 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 at
tracted 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 then
own arrival. That was the night when
Leslie had decided TO wear her very
ril'fssTatstfest gvwa At dinner. the, ono she
was reservng for Santa Barbara and
the Barrows family. 1t was lovely
violet tinted crepe dc chine, and with
II she Wore the famous Cameron
pearls. the only jewels she had
brought west with her. That even
ing they had met the Marquis. He
was most properly presented by stout
Mrs. Carrie, 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 hae
came acquainted as men will, yor
know. and Stanley brought him te
me, and he begged to meet you. Sc
4! there YOU axe. Believe m,a, his hear,
lies at your feet"
That was all. except that wherever
the girls had travelled thereafter the
Marquis had appeared on their trail
The stage left the hotel at tina
morning and the girls took an OUTSIDE
seat. For miles they rode steadil,
upward through, the mountain pass
and the Marquis sat beside Leslie
talking to her In the slow, interesting
way he had. Flo, indignant. and pre-
occupied, listened. Somehow she coult
not like him. and to think OF dear, love
~ Leslie falling n victim to a title
She wondered what their father woult
say. II only they could reach Santa
Barbara, Jack might be able to turf
her back.
lust behind her couple of men wer,
talking. and something they said ar
rested her attention.
ESCAPED from San Quentin, yes
four. last week. They shot one few
miles from here. The others are ii
hiding Pretty desperate by now
without food or money for escape. I'm
derstood to be part of Risto's band
Risto, the Mexican. price on his head
refugee since the war ended. Cam
north. and lived by raids"
The stage came to a sudden halt a
a sharp turn in the road. Below then
was the canon, with almost perpen
dicular walls at this point. The drive
sprang down.
'Boulders across the road" he callet
out. It's the raiders, reckon"
Almost as he spoke four men spranl
from the underbrush and leveled rifle
at the passengers. Tine Marquis yer.
quietly reached down after Leslie
suit case, and swung 1t over, to tn
I nearest man.
What do you mean!" demanded Les
lie, half rising.
81 regret it much most sweet one,
smiled the little Marquis. Il mus
have those pearls. I thank you for :,
most joyous journey. ard will take
kiss for memory"
Leslie's hand had reached into he
little leather handbag Suddenly sh
whipped It out, and II held a small
very neat revolver that Jack had gfvei
her And while the men in the coacl
stood with hands up. and the drive
lay wounded, Leslie Cameron lived vi
II to her yAod Virginian blood. and sho
sQuarely at the man before her.
They arrived late. but Jack was Their