The Bossier banner., 1921-07-28
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mother who had died before the cir
was old enough to remember. Madge
had many of her fathers strong char
acteristics principally self-determina-
ticn 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 charming girl.
Her parents had lost their lives on
the coast Of British Columbia when an
Alaskan excursion boat struck a rock
and went to the bottom. At that time
Ena was q 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.
1t was not long before the two girls
knew that their companion had lived
in the mountains thirty years, was
widow with a daughter, that she had
just sold her restaurant in a mining
camp, 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 it kept her little head bobbing in
her efforts not to miss seeing things.
When the stage ran along Grand
river, Madge cried out, .Oh, isn't it
beautiful! No wonder they call It
Grand river. Such beautiful stream
running so swiftly, and yet so quietly !"
Eyes, it's a nice river" said the
stout woman, "but 1t is the most
treacherous stream in the country.
Just short time ago three boys were
caught in its quicksand and drowned.
And every once in a while people lose
their lives while trying to ford it,
As Madge looked down the canyon
she could see continuous swirlfng
and churning Of water rushing swiftly
from side to side. High, rugged cliffs
lined the stream on the east, while
jagged rocks kept it within its bounds
on the western border.
what are you dreaming about
now?' asked Ena.
Il wasn't dreaming" replied Madge !;
II was just thinking what great
hurry that water seems to be in to
join the Colorado In its made race
down the Grand Canyon of Arizona"
Promptly at twelve the stage came
to a halt at Dolby ranch, the driver
announcing that dinner could be had
at the ranch house. AS the passen-
gers had lunshed en- route, they alight-
ed to walk around and note how
quickly the four tired horses were un-
hitched and exchanged for fresh ones
.Aren't you afraid Of highwaymenY'
asked Madge Of the driver when he
emerged from the ranch house and
started for the stage.
'sNot at all" was the prompt reply,
somewhat proudly. .sBut," he con.
tinued, there is 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 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" II he had deliberately planned
to frighten 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 figures In
the stage as it ratified along at the
lively pace the fresh horses struck.
They repeatedly looked at Finger rock.
. It was plain that all were thinking
along the same lire.
Suddenly the driver stopped whis-
thing, the horses halted to a walk, and
the rattling old coach died into a
grating squeak. With 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 cleaf, silver laugh echoed and re-
echoed through the canyon.
"Well, what do you know about
thatl" calculated the taller Of the
masked horsemen as his laugh died.
He looked at his companion and
slipped his rife in its scabbard and
1ismounted. He wore high-topped
leather boots, corduroy trousers, q fan.
mel shirt. felt hat, and q green veil.
His companion was dressed in d simi.
lar fashion but had his features GOV.
cred with black veil.
ssWe never molest ladies'" said the
man In the green veil. II guess we
will have to let you pass" Then, step
ping directly in front of Madge 6e.
noted the small revolver that was held
tightly in her hand above her head.
pardon me-. he said, s.but before.
we go I guess I better make sure Of
our getaway BY taking that little gun
for a souvenir"
Reaching up and gently taking the
little revolver he quickly put his hand
into his pocket and took out small