The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-03-25

"rhis Is the Stage for sequoia, Is
1t Not?"
carr" he demanded bluntly, "this-the
Sequoia stage! Take a look, lady
This here's Napier imported auto
mobile. It's a private car and be-
longs to my boss here"
Bryce turned and lifted his hat.
"Quite naturally, you thought it was
the Sequoia stage He turned
smoldering glance upon George Sea
Otter. George" he declared omi-
nously, but with sly wink that drew
the sting from his words eff you're
anxious to hold down your job. the
next time a lady speaks to you and
asks you simple question, you an
swer yes or no and refrain from sar-
castle remarks. Don't let your en-.
thusiasm for this car run away with
you" He faced the girl again. WAS
it your intention to go to SeQuoia on
the next trip of the stage?'
She nodded.
"That means you will have to wait
here three days until the stage re-
turns from Sequoia." Bryce replied
A shade of annoyance passed over
the classic features of the Highest
| Living Authority. "Oh, dear" sne
complained how fearfully awkward
| Now l shall have to take the next
train to San Francisco and book pas
sage on The steamer to Sequoia-and
Marcelle is such q poor sailor. Oh,
dear"
Bryce had an inspiration and hasten
ed to reveal it.
I'VE are about to start for Sequoia
now, although the lateness OF our start
will compel US to put up tonight at
the rest-house on the south fork of
Trinity river and continue the journey
in the morning. However, this rest
house is eminently respectable and
the food and accommodations are ex
traordinarily good for mountains; so,
if an invitation to occupy the tonneau
of my car will not be construed as
an impertinence, coming as it does
from total stranger, you are at
liberty to regard this car as to all
intents and purposes the public con-
veyance which so scandalously de-
clined to wait for you this morning."
She looked at him searchingly for
a brief instant; then with a peculiarly
winning smile and q graceful inclina-
finn of har hood 70 no nh hin,
and accepted his hospitality-thus:
"Why, certainly not! You are very
kind, and | shall be eternally CRATE
full"
Thank you for that vote of conf
dence. 1t makes me feel that l have
your permission to introduce myself.
My name is Bryce Cardigan. and
live in Sequoia when Pm at home"
"Of Cardigan's redwoods?" she
questioned. He nodded. "Ive heard
of you, l think" she continued. Il
am Shirley Sumner"
"You do not live in Sequoia."
mo, but Pm going to hereafter. l
was there about ten years ago."
He grinned and thrust out great
hand which she surveyed gravely for
minute before inserting hers in 1t.
Il WONDER" he said, 'if it is to be my
duty to give you ride every time you
come to Sequoia? The last time you
were there you wheedled me into CIV
ing you a ride on my pony, an animal
known as Midget Do you, by any
chance, recall that incident?"
She looked at him wonderingly.
"Why-why, you're the boy with the
beautiful auburn hair" she declared.
He lifted his hat and revealed his
thick thatch in all its glory. Pm not
so sensitive about it now" he explain.
ed. when we first met, reference to
my hair was apt to rifle me-" He
shook her little hand with cordial
good-nature. George, suppose you
pile Miss Summers hand-baggage in
the tonneau and then pile in there
yourself and keep Marcelle company.
I'll drive; and you can sit up in front
with me, Miss Sumner. snug behind
the Windshield where you'll not be
blown about"
He went through his gears, and the
car glided away on its journey. by
the way" he said suddenly as he
turned west toward the distant blue
mountains of Trinity county, "how did
ydu happen to connect me with Cardi-
gan's redwoods?"
1--WE heard my uncle, Colonel Seth
Pennington, speak of them"
Colonel Seth Pennington means
nothing il my young life. l never
heard Of him before; so dare say
he's newcomer in our county. I've
been. away six years." be added In ex-