The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-07-05
THE GIRL
sy IzoLA FORESTER.

NtuBt dHUlltE. one tH mere. Nt ~
packed like sardines. now"
! Claire gave her skirts a little shake
10 I'M IN every last available inch Of
space on the back seat OF the coach.
"Oh. nonsense" laughed Lewis.
Here, Miss Rickard. just swing up
beside me. There's soom for you be
tween Ben and me-"
Old Ben made room for her gra-
ciously. and picked up his reins. whip
in one hand. waiting the starters
{ signal in front OF the Mountain View
hotel. Gwen was 20 sit there, Lew
f." complained Claire anxiousIy
Gwen wants to ride inside" re-
piled Lewis quietly Everybody
ready? We're on"
DO you know her-Aiss Rickard ?"
asked the girl next to Claire.
Il know she's perfectly impossible"
returned Claire. Wonder what Gwen
thinksg She's been dropping poor old
Lewis over the edge OF emotional
chasms for days, and 1t serves her
right. They're Just as good as en-
gagged, and she's been absolutely hyp-
Noticed by Wayne Ivesson."
Inside the coach Gwen Arnold sat
With Ivesson. For FIVE weeks he had
been guest at the hotel, a slender.
scholarly looking youngster who spent
most OF his time reading on the broad
porches or riding the mountain paths
1T is wonderful to have you all 10
myself" Ivesson said as the coach
swung down into the first gully.
You call this alone?s laughed
Gwen teasingly. wondering who the
girl was up on the box.
Who is she?" asked Ivesson, al
I most as IL he had caught her thought.
She was not guest at the hotel, and
seemed more like a mountain type,
Lewis knows her Odd, isn't lt?"
Lewis has lived up here for three
years" she answered, resentfully.
Ever heard this trip was danger.
ous?" piped up an old gentleman.
Used to be ten years ago. Almost
sure to find bandit"
Really" Gwen leaned forward
sagerly.
II haven't carried gun in years"
went on the old gentleman cheerfully,
but I've got one along today. That
boy on the box Is carrying money over
10 the Cuddyhoe outfit to pay off the
men their quarterly wages. Got it
from the express office. And it's some
risk to get it through even today"
Who has it-7the driver or--or Mr..
5tevens?" asked Gwen.
Stevens He'sta friend of the su.
perintendent down here and the fore
man over therellHaven't got any yalu-
ables along, have your
Wayne laughed and took out his
watch and purse.
Shall we take an inventory to help
along the highwayman when we
meet him2" he asked. "Let us give
everything TO Miss Crandall, and no
one would ever be brave enough to
hold her up"
Up on the box, Lewis and his two
companions watched the gulch as it
dipped and widened, narrowed UP
again and plunged ahead, cash in
the heart OF the mountain. When the
coach swung down into the DEVILS
Kettle, 1t seemed to rock alarmingly,
and stopped with a jerk that sent the
horses almost on their launches.
Inside the coach. the people started
to rise. but found themselves neatly |
covered by revolver held by Wayne
tvesson. His face, usually rather pale, |
was flushed and his eyes were keen.
Stay where you are, all OF you," he |
commanded. Miss Crandall. may i (
trouble you for the handbag please2 %
Everything OF value had been oblig-
ngly slipped into Ovens brown seal
handbag, and she hesitated. her eyes
flashing into his. Outside, an older
man on horseback stood with leveled
rife by the coach
Hands up. all of you he called.
Come on, kid. It's all right II
And Wayne slipped down from the
coach. but stopped, for the old gem
tleman held revolver at his head
Got you this trip" he said pleas
antly. sit still, ladEes. All right,
Lewisl"
Lewis suddenly felt the touch of
steel in his hand. Old Ben had some
how crumpled down at the bandits
first warning shot, but the girl was in
his place. holding the reins. At the
voice from the rear Of the coach. the
man on horseback wheeled his horse
and started on headlong gallop down
the gulch road. but Lewis fred after
him, bringing the horse to his knees,
and he lay motlonless with his rider
under him. M
It had all happened so suddenly that
the girls and women had watched the
scene in silent horror. Claire was
first to note the surprising change in
the girl on the box. Her hat was on
She was short.haired and boyish. and
was on the ground laughing and talk
ing while Wayne was bound hand and
foot.
Gwen waited, white faced and trou.
bled Finally Lewis came to her side
and she laid her hand impulsively on
his coat sleeve-such little motion,
hut u hafravad tn him All of her Il