Cleveland County herald., 1920-06-10
CHAPTER IV-Continued.

little 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 n French maid to whom she spoke in French in manner which testified that before acquiring the French maid she had been in the sesSed poise. For the rest, she had wonderful jet-baek hair, violet eyes and milk-White skin. correct nose but a somewhat generous mouth Bryce guessed she was twenty or twenty-one years old and that she had n 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 giv- ing credit to the many lovely darnsels of that little ambitious city. Bryce had a 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 by 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 harbaric splendor. came pussy footing around the corner of the sta tion in old man Cardigan's regal touring-car.
 The Highest Living Authority, fol- lowing the gaze of the baggage smasher, turned and beheld George Sea Otter. Beyond a doubt he was of the West westward, She noted the rifle-stock projecting from the scab. bard, and a vision of stage hoId-up flashed across her mind. Ah, yes, of G0urse-the express messengers weap- on, no doubt! And further to clinch her instant assumption that here was the Sequoia motor-stage, there was the pennant adornfng the windshield!
 Dismissing the baggage-smasher with R gracious smile, the Highest Living Authority approached George Sea Otter noting, the while, further eVi- dence that this car was a public con veyance, for the young man who had been her fellow-passenger was head ing toward the automobile ,also. She heard him say:
 Hello, George. you radiant red rascal I'm mighty glad to see you, boy. Shaker
 They shook, George Sea Otte"'s 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 ear when soft voice spoke at his elbow:
 Driver, this is the stage for Sequoia, is it not?'
 George Sea Otter could scarcely credit his auditory nerves. This ear?" he demanded bIuntly, "this-the Sequoia stage! Take look, lady This heres a Napier imported auto mobile. It's private car and be- longs to my boss here"
 Bryce turned and lifted his hat.
 "Ouite naturally vop thOuaht if was the Sequoia stage" He turned smoldering glance upon George Sea Otter. George" he declared omi- nously. but with a 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. shusiasm for this car run away with you" He faced the girl again. Was 1t your, intention. to go to sequoia en the next trip of.the stage?'
 Shasnodded. :.
 ssThat&means you will hayesto wait here three days until the stage re- turns from Sequola, Bryce replied.
 A shade of annoyanee passed oyer the classic features of the Highest living Authority "oh, de3r..s she eomplaineIl. how fearfuly awkward !, Now I shall have to take the next troip ta San Francisco and hook pas.