The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1920-05-20
CHAPTER Iv-contInued.

DfyCe COuiu SEE Ludl sue WAS Inc
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 a French maid to whom
sho 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, correct nose
but a somewhat generous mouth.
Bryce guessed she was twenty or
twenty-one years old and that she had
a temper susceptible Of being aroused.
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 q. French maid.
He noted. as further evidence of the
correctness of his assumption, that
the youthful baggage-smasher 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 barbaric splendor, came pussy
footing around the corner of the sta
ton 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 doubt he was of
the West westward. She noted the
riflestock projecting from the scab-
bard, and a vision Of a stage hold-up
flashed across her mind. All, yes, of
course-the express messengers weap-
on. no doubt And further to clinch
her instant assumption that here was
the Sequola motor-stage, there was
the pennant adjoining the windshield! !
Dsmissing the baggage-smasher with
a gracious smile, the Highest Living
Authority approached George Sea
G.. x.HI4 f,rt. I.s,. N.~s
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. 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 rupRing board and
was about to enter Che ear when a
soft voice spoke atshis elbow;
Driver. this is the stage for
Sequoa, is 1t not?"
George Sea otter could scarcely
credit his auditory nerves. "This
carp" he demanded bluntly. "this--the
SeQuoia Stagel 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 a
smoldering glance upon George Sea
( Otter. George" he declared omi
nously, but win sly wink that drew
4 the sting from his words, IF you're
/ anxious 30 hold down your job, the
next time a lady speaks to you ant
/ asks you a 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 witt
YOU" He faced the girl again. "Wa:
It your intention to so to Sequoia OF
the next trip of the stageT
She nodded.
''That means you win have to wal
here three days until the stage re
turns from Sequoia." Bryce replied.
A shade of annoyance passed owe
the classic features Of the Hlghes
Living Authority. "0h, DEAR" sh
complained, how fearfuily awkward
Now I.shall have to take the mex
rain to San Francisco and book pas