Gilpin observer., 1915-10-28

horse had happened to strike a rabbit
hole and had fallen. the herd would
have crushed them both. So once
more in Madison the young express
rider was hailed as hero
Tom gave his mailbag to the post
master. But there was little ceremony
attending the distribution of the mail.
| Gathering on the steps of the store,
the settlers helped themselves, each
to his own letters. And presently
Sally, after hunting among the let
ters, cried in joy:
Look! Here's letter from my
father. l know his writing. It's for
my brother Luke"
Just then Luke Madison himself
appeared. : Nobody greeted him with
any great spirit of gladness. for he
was notorious in the settlement for
his idleness and cowardice.
"Luke!" cried Sally. Here's a let.
ter for you-from father"
Luke read the letter-his face TAX.
ing on the ashen hue of mortal fear.
What's the matter?" said Sally.
"Is it bad news?"
The letter stated that gold had been
found on the coast and everybody was
getting rich. Colonel Madison said he
was sending, by the same express. a
sample of the gold dust. He stated.
further, that Mrs. Madison's health, in
stead Of improving, was growing
worse. He added that Mrs Madison
constantly called for her daughter and
expressed his belief that the only
thing that possibly could save Mrs.
Madison's life would be the presence
of Sally. Colonel Madison therefore
now called upon his son Luke to keep
his oath to bring Sally to the coast at
any time that he was called upon to
do so.
Remember" wrote Colonel Madi-
son. that at our departure you, my
son Luke, vowed that you would
bring Sally to us to the coast. if
should call upon you to do SO. Keep
your oath now and at once. Secure
schooner outfit and take the trail
for the coast. Your mothers life de-
pends on your getting Sally here at
the earliest moment"
Meantime Luke himself had con-
jured up visions of dangers from In
dians on the trail to the coast. and
he was we'll nigh overwhelmed by his
craven fear of what confronted him.
In his vision he saw himself standing
by tall grass on the prairie. Suddenly
band of Indians loomed up all about
him. He ran for dear life. But an
arrow brought him down and he saw
himself lying dead on the prairie and
the Indians scalping him
This vision was too much for Luke's
attempt to disguise his fears. With
trembling voice he addressed his sis
ter:
Sally" he said, I'm not going to
take you to the coast. There are no
end of hostile Indians on the long
trail. ! will not subject you to such
dangers. Father should not ask you
to make such perilous journey, any
way. He must be crazy even to think
of it."
But mother made the trip safely"
Sally said. And she was i'll and
helpless. Surely l. who am well and
strong. can stand the journey. if my
invalid mother stood it."
This argument contained too much
of truth for the cowardly brother to
answer He bit his tongue and kept
silent.
Besides" continued Sally. what
about your vow, Luke? You swore to
take me to the coast when father
called upon you to do So"
TO hades with my OATH" now cried
Luke resorting to anger to hide his
craven fears. I'm going to stay right
here in Madison. And SO are you"
I'm mott" retorted Sally. defiantly,
I'm going to the coast. You shall
see."
She went to where Tom Mingle was
talking with some settlers. She
formed him that Luke refused to keep
his oath to take her to the coast.
Tom wanted to call Luke a few un-
complimentary names, but refrained
from doing SO in the presence of the
towards sister. All he said was this
and he said it very quietly:
Sally, you are going to the coast
to save your mothers life. And you
are not going alone. ] am going to
escort you to California. And to do
SO | shall resign my position as pony
express rider"
Next day pony started west with
new rider, carrying letter to her
father from Sally saying she would
start at once for the coast. And she
and Tom Mingle were busy Quitting
a prairie schooner that was to become
their house on wheels during the dan
gerous march.
CHAPTER ~.
In the Midst Of the Herd.
Nhile making their nrana ions for