Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-03-19
CHAPTER lv--continued.

49," ~ fv-SShktH6S0s
-
Bryce could see that she was tn,
little daughter Of some large rlcl
man. The sparsity Of jewelry an,
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 tn,
custody Of French nurse. She pos
sessed polse. For the rest, she hat
wonderful jet-black hair, violet eyes
and milk-white skin, "a correct nose
but a somewhat generous mouth
Bryce guessed she was twenty OF
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 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 barbarc splendor, came pussy
footing around the corner of the sta
ton In old man Cardigan's regal
t0uring.car.
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
rifie-stock projecting from the scab-
bard, and vision Of stage hold.up
flashed across her mind. ALI yes, of
course-the express messengers weap-
on, no doubt And further to clinch
her instant assumption that here was
the Sequoia m0tor-stage, there was
the pennant adjoining the windshield!
Diminishing the baggage-smasher with
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 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 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 runnlng-board and
was about TO enter the car when
soft voice spoke at his elbow:
VArt. a., hA ,Aaa L..
SequOia. Is II not?"
George Sea otter could scarcely
credit his auditory nerves.. "This
carr" he demanded bluntly, "this-the
Sequoia stage 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 1t was
the Sequoia stage" He turned a
smoldering glance upon George Sea
Otter. George" he declared omi-
nously, but with sly wink that drew
the sting from his words, IF 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-
thusiasm for this car run away with
you" He faced the girl again. "Was
II your intention to go to Sequola on
the next trip of the stage?"
She nodded.
''That means you will have to walt
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" she
how fearfully awkward
Now shall have to take the next
train to San Francisco and book pas
sage on the steamer to Sequoia-and
is such a poor sailor. Oh,
dearl"
Bryce had an inspiration and hasten
ed TO reveal II.
1--WE are about TO start for Sequoia
now, although the lateness of our start !
viii 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
he food aud accommodations are ex- |
raor'llnarily good for mountains; so. Q
{ an Invitation to occupy the tonneau I