The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-23
Across the
Aisle


the still. dark lake far below the
track, the vast, outstretching dis.
tances beyond the pass itself. Some
where over toward the golden sunset
lay her brothers ranch. and the new
life that had swept her out of the rut
down east. After ten years OF school
teaching In the country, it seemed like
enchantment that she should be out
here. skimming over the last ridge OF
the Rockies.
1T won't be all easy work. Jess"
Tom had written. but I've got the
upper hand of things here now. and
think you'll like It,"
The man across the aisle was talk.
Ing to his fellow passenger. a sleepy
old man. who had been doing com.
fortably and refused to warm up to
the glories Of the scenery.
Il wouldn't give hands breadth
OF this country up here for all Man.
haitian"
Where you FROM" growled back
the other
"Deerfoot. sir Finest section and
richest out here Come into the
smoking compartment with me and
let me tell you about It,"
He rose impulsively, a tall, strong.
limbed youngster. with all the vivid
assurance and hope of the west In
his face Suddenly he hesitated and
looked across the aisle at the girl
there. Their eyes met. He almost
smiled. and reached for a handbag in
the upper rack
Gould | leave this with you just
while step into the smoker" he
asked Il won't be more than half an
hour"
jess bowed her head asscntingly
and he slipped the bag in beside her
own suitcase on the floor 1t seemed
Very heavy Attcr he had gone Jess
throw her fir scarf over ii and Won
dored Who its owner Was
Not ten minutes later the train
SWNtu up HNlP Wdo iHf SlllI' iiSo
of air brakes. The wheels seemed
to CRATE and grind along on the rails.
Almost instantly shots sounded up for
ward. Some of the men passengers
rose Jess held her breath and Won
dercd IT, after all, she was not to
reach her new life.
The doors ut the end of the car
swung open. Two masked armed men
entered.
Hands up and shut up, and no.
body'll be hurt" said one terscly.
search. At Jess seat he reached for her
suitcase and saw the girl had tainted.
Her pretty head lay back on the roll
top of the seat, white and death-like,
and it checked him. He glanced at
tn" suit case. back at her face. and
passed on Under her skirts rested
the leather satchol unohsoryod.
When she came TO sGmc one was
bathing her face IN cold water.
"Pmcky? Woll rather. That's bet.
ter. It's all rieht now. We're on
orr Way and the gang Didn't get what
il wanted after all, he leaned nearer;
thanks to YOU
81 dou't know what you mean" fall
tered jess.
"Of course you don't. but I'm
mighty obliged 10 you Just the same.
! They passed by the smoker and miss
ed me, and didn't look for my belong
ings in your seat, that's all.
You mean the satchel?'
"You didn't try to lift It. did you?
It's full of solid gold. think you do
serve to know, don't YOU No Ncu
mind If I sit here? Well be into
Eagle View in 20 minutes, and leave
the train there"
$50 do l." said Jess. shyly.
Where bound?" There was no mis-.
taking his eagerness.
ITO the Sawtooth ranch. It's my
brothers."
TON McQuaid's? Why, we're neigh.
bors. It's a queer little juggler's ball
that We dance on, this world, isn't it?
I'm Raleigh Sayres, superintendent at
the Deerfoot works. Why. when ! first
spoke to you. and you looked at me,
why, just felt as IL We must know
each other. Don't you know what
mean"
Jess long dark lashes dropped down.
ward
Il know" she said. I'm glad too.
that you will be near-Tom."
"But do you know what you've
done this day? Why. you'll be the
heroine OF the whole valley, We
pay off in gold mp there. SO. well
the gold is in that satchel, and back
yonder in the pass there's a band Of
train robbers wondering who gave the
wrong tip that the Deerfoot money
was to 90 through on this train. DO
you see now? 1t rested safely right
here under your blessed feet"
"But | tainted. wasn't a bit
brave" protested Jess.
"And made doubly sure thereby"
he laughed.
The train was pulling around the
last mountain curve into Eagle View.
He helped to slip her long cloak
81 Il f0cr