The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-08-06
CHAPTER IV-continued.

-
Bryce could see that she was the
dttle daughter Of some large rich
man. The sparsity of jewelry and
the rich simplicity of her attire proved
that and moreover she was accom-
panied by French maid to whom
she spoke in French In a manner
which testified that before acquiring
the French maid she had been in the
custody of French nurse. She pos
sessed poise. For the rest, she had
wonderful jet-black hair, violet eyes
and milk-white skin, a correct nose
but somewhat generous mouth.
Bryce guessed she was twenty or
twenty-one years old and that she had
temper susceptible of being aroused.
The fact that this remarkable
young woman had also left the train
at Red Bluff further interested him,
for he knew Red Bluff and while Civ
Ing credit to the many lovely damsels
of that little ambitious city, Bryce
had q suspicion that no former Red
Bluff girl would dare to invade the
old home town with French maid.
He noted, as further evidence of the
correctness of his assumption, that
the youthful baggagesmasher at the
station failed to recognize her and
was evidently dazzled when, followed
10y the maid, struggling with two
'suit-cases, she approached him and in
pure though alien English inquired
the location of the best hotel and the
hour and point of departure of the
automobile stage for San Hedrin.
The youth had answered her first
question and was about to answer the
second when George Sea Otter, in all
his barbaric splendor, came pussy
footing around the corner of the sta
ton in old man Cardigan's regal
touring-car.
r The Highest. Living Authority, fol-
lowing the gaze of the baggage
smaSher turned and beheld George
Sea Otter Beyond doubt he was of
the West westward. She noted the
,rifle-stock projecting from the scab-
bard, and vision of stage hold-up
Mashed across her mind. All, yes, of
course-the express messengers weap-
on. no doubt! And further to clinch
her instant assumption that here was
tho Sequ0ia motor-stage, there was
che Dennant adjoining the windshield!
Dismissing the baggage-smasher with
"a gracious smile. the Highest Living
Authority. approached George Sea
Otter, noting. the while, further evil
,dence that this car was a public con-
Veyance, for the young man who dad
been her fellow-passenger was head
ing toward the automobile also. She
heard him say:
| Hello, George, you radiant red
rascal Tn mighty glad to see you,
boy. Shake"
! They shook. George Sea Offers
dark eyes and white teeth flashing
pleasurably. Bryce tossed his bag in
to the tonneau; the half-breed opened
the front door; and the young master
had his foot on the running-board and
was about to enter the car when
soft voice spoke at his elbow:
''Driver, this is the stage for
Sequoia. is 1t not?"
George Sea Otter could scarcely
credit his auditory nerves. "This
cart" he demanded bluntly, "this-the
tSequoia stagei Take 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 a
smoldering glance upon George Sea
Otter. George" he declared omi-
Inously. but with a sly wink that drew
the sting from his words, eff you're
anxious to hold down your job, the
next time 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-
thuslasm for this car run away with
you" He faced the girl again. "Was
Il your intention to go to Sequoia on
the next trip of the stage?"
She nodded.
.N ''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. "0h, DEAR" she
complicated how fearfully awkward
Now | shall have to take the next
train 10 San Francisco and book pas
sage on the steamer to Sequoia-and
iAiarcelle is such poor sailor. Oh.
ldear!"'
Bryce had an Inspiration and hasten
ed TO revea! it.
ave are about TO start for Sequoia
lnow. although the lateness of our start
VIII compel us to put up tonight at
TIE rcsr-house on tile south fork Of
Tf,nity river and continue the journey
ii fhs morning. However. this rest
enlineully respectable and
,h accommodations are ex-
good for mountains: so.