Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-27
Across the
Aisle =

Jeas opened her eyes. She had
been browsing for the last hour. The
view was gorgeous from the car win
dows. She leaned forward. and looked
out at the great encircling mountains,
tho still, dark lake far below the
track, the vast. eutstretchlng dis.
tances beyond the pass itself. Some
where over toward the golden sunset
lag 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, 1t seemed like
enchantment that she should be out
here. Swimming over the last ridge oil
the Rockies.
at won't be all easy work. Jess.
Tom had written, but I've got the
upper hand OF things here now, and
I 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
tho glorles OF the scenery.
81 wouldn't give a 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 1t"
He rose impulslyely, tall. strong
Nmbed youngster, with all the vivid
assurance and hope OF the west IN
his face. Suddenly be hesitated and
looked across the aisle at the girl
there. Their eyes met. He almost
smiled, and reached for handbag in
the upper rack.
Gould leave this with you just
while | step into the smoker" he
asked. II won't be more than half an
hour"
Jess bowed her head assentingly
and he slipped the bag in beside her
own suitcase on the floor. 1t seemed
very heavy. After he had gone Jess
dered who It's owner was.
Not ten minutes later the train
slowed up There was the sharp hiss
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
dered IL. after all, she was not to
reach her new life.
The doors at 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 tersely.
The other started Systematically to
search. AtJess' seat he reached for her
suitcase and saw the girl had tainted.
Her pretty head lay back on the roll
ton of the seat. white and death.like.
and It. checked him. He glanced at
the suit case. back at her face. and
passed on. Under her skirts rested
the leather satchel unobserved.
When she came to some one was
bathing her face In cold water
"Plucky? Well. rather. That's bet
ter. It's all right now. We're on
our way and the gang didn't get what
it. wanted after ALL" he leaned nearer;
thanks to you."
81 don't know what you mean," fall
tered Jess.
"Of course you don't. but I'm
mighty obliged to 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 lit It, did you!
It's full Of solid gold. think you de-
serve TO know. don't you? Do you
mind II I sit here Well be into
Eagls View In 90 minutes, and | leave
the train there"
80 do H. said less. shyly.
Where bound?" There was no mis-
taking his eagerness.
ITO the Sawtooth ranch. It's my
brothers"
tom McQuald'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 al me, |
why, I just felt as II We must know
each other. Don't you know what |
mean"
Jess long dark lashes dropped down.
ward
II 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 on in gold up there. SO, we'll
the gold ls in that satchel, and back
yonder in the pass there's band OF
train robbers wondering who gave the
wrong tip that the Deerfoot money
vas to go through on this train. Do
you see now tt rested safely right
here under your blessed feet"
"But tainted. wasn't bit