Graham guardian., 1920-05-07
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OF beauty she had inherited from ner
mothey who had died before the girl
was old enough to remember. Madge
had many Of her fathers strong char
acteristics--principally self-determina-
tion and pride. The paternal inheri.
tance appeared plainly In her strong
and graceful carriage.
Ena Ferris. Madge's closest compan'
ion for six years, was aeharming girl.
Her parents had lost their lives on
the coast of British Columbia when an
Alaskan excursion boat struck rock
and went to the bottom. AT that time
Ena was guest at the Morris home
and Mr.. Morris insisted that she re-
main as companion for his only
child. Ena was typical blonde, even
tempered and ,sunshiny.
II was not long before the two girls
knew that their companion had lived
10 the mountains thirty years, was a
widow with daughter, that she had
Just sold her restaurant In mining
.camps and that she was going to
Tampa to buy hotel.
Madge became completely absorbed
BY her surroundings. She loved the
trees, the streams, and the mountains,
and II kept her little head bobblng In
her efforts hOt to miss seeing things.
When the stage ran along Grand
river, Madge cried out, "Oh, isn't 1t
beautiful! No wonder they call II
Grand river. SUI beautiful stream
running so swiftly, and yet so quietly"
"Yes, it's a nice. river" said the
stout woman, "but It is the most
treacherous stream In the country.
Just short time ago three boys were
caught in It's quicksand and drowned.
And every once In while people lose
their lives while trying to ford It,"
As Madge looked down the canyon
she could see continuous swirling
and churnlng of water rushing swiftly
from side to side. High, rugged cllffs
lined the stream on the east, while
jagged rocks kept II within Its bounds
on the western border.
"What are you dreaming about
nowf" asked Ena.
81 wasn't dreaming" replied Madge;
II was just thinking what great
hurry that water seems to be- In to
Join the Colorado In It's made race
down the Grand Canyon Of Arizona"
Promptly at twelve the stage came
to halt at Dolby anch, the driver
announcing that dinNeg. gould be had
at the ranch house.Sxs the passcn.
gers had lunched en- route; they alight.
ed to wnlk around and note how
Quickly the four tired horses were un.
hitched and exchanged for fresh ones.
"Aren't you afraid Of hlghwaymen?"
asked Madge OF the driver when he
emerged from the ranch house and
started for the stage.
"Not at ali," was the prompt reply,
somewhat proudly. "But," he con-
tlnued. "there ls one bad place In the
road. about five miles from here-it's
the place where Highland Shorty got
held up and always feel little safer
after I get by that point. You will
know when you get there for have
to slow down as we wind around the
curves, You see that big Finger rock
down there; well, it's just this side of
that" n he had deliberately planned
to frlghten his passengers he could not
have selected better way. but they
showed no signs Of fear However,
Madge unconsciously felt her hand
steal to her small revolver In her coat
pocket.
/, There were three silent~fgures In
the stage as II ratified along at the
lively pace the fresh horses struck.
They repeatedly looked at Finger rock.
II was plain that all were thinking
along the same line. -
Suddenly the driver stopped whis-
tling. the horses halted to walk, and
the rattling old coach died into a
grating squeak. With a jerk the stage
stopped dead. Two masked horsemen
with raised rifles blocked the way. In
stantly the drivers hands went
straight above his head. Before the
passengers realized what they were
doing. the three stood beside the old
vehicle with hands up.
A clear, silver laugh echoed and. re-
echoed through the canyon.
"Weil. what do you know about
that" calculated the taller of the
masked horsemen as his laugh died.
He slooked at his companion and
slipped his rife In It's scabbard and
dlsmounted. He wore high-topped
leather boots, corduroy trousers. a fan.
mel shirt, felt hat, and green veil.
His companion was dressed In q slmi.
lar fashion but had his features COW
cred with a black veil.
eve never molest ladies'" said the
man In the green veil. ~ guess we
will have to let you pass" Then. step
ping directly. In front of Madge he
noted the small revolver that was held
tightly In her hand above her head.
Pardon me-" he said, "but before
we 60 7 guess ! better make sure of
our getaway by taking that little gun
for souvenir"
Y Reaching up and gently taking the
little revolver he quickly put his hand
into his pocket aud took out small
automatic revolver removed the cart
ridges. slipped them Into his coat. and
placed bis revolver 10 Madge's hand.
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