Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-03-21


said the man across the aisle, eager
ly. Mighty pretty in this sunset
light, eh?"
Jess opened her eyes. She haC
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
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, Swimming over the last ridge oil
the Rockies.
ut 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, tall, strong
imbed 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 handbag in
the upper rack.
Gould l leave this with you just
while l step into the smoker?" he
asked. Il 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
threw her fur scarf over it and won.
dered who its 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 if, 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. 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
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"
Il don't know what you mean" fal-
tered Jess.
"Of course you don't, but I'm
mighty obliged to you just the same.
They passed by the smoker and misg-
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. l think you de-
serve to know, don't you? Do you
mind If | 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.
"To the Sawtooth ranch. It's my
brothers."
tom 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 If 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 up there. So, we'll
the gold is in that satchel, and back
yonder in the pass there's a band of