The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-01-27
CHAPTER viii.
In the Shoshone Desert


the girl was still composed enough
to grasp the nature Of her surround
ings, and she had time now, as the
wagon rumbled forward, to think over
all that had been said, and fit it into
the circumstances
What did they propose doing with
her? The question caused her blood
to run cold. That these people were
desperate she had every reason to be-
lieve; they were battling for big
stakes; not even murder had hitherto
stood in their way. Why then, should
they hesitate to take her life, if they
actually deemed It necessary to the
final success of their plans? She re-
membered what Beaton had said about
her room-the condition in which 1t
had been left. They had removed all
her things, and left a note behind in
womanly handwriting to explain her
hurried departure. There was mas
ter criminal mind, watchful Of every
detail, behind this conspiracy. He
was guarding against every possibility
Of rescue.
The uncertainty, the fear engen-
dered by her thought, the drear ST.
lence almost caused her to scream.
But she conquered this.
The gray dawn came at last, spec
trail and CHASTITY, gradually yielding
glimpse of the surroundings. They
were travelling steadily south, the
horses beginning to exhibit traces of
weariness, yet still keeping up q
dogged trot. All about extended
wild, desolate scene Of rock and sand,
bounded on every horizon by barren
ridges. Nowhere was there slightest
sign of life-no bird. no beast, no
snake even, crossed their path. All
was dead, silent. stricken with desola-
ton.
Stella stared about at 1t, and closed
her eyes. unable to bear the sight her
head dropped wearily, every nerve CIV
ing away before the depressing scene
outspread in every direction. Skies,
watching her slightest movement,
seemed to sense the meaning of the
action.
bad, amt it?" he said expressive
~. AOu hHO" Whit we dTeF
"No; but never before dreamed
any spot could he so terrible"
"This is the ShoshOne desert; thar
amt nobody ever comes in yere 'cept
wunst in while a prospector. maybe,
er a band o. cattle rustlers. Even the
Injuns keep out"
She lifted her eyes again, shudder-
ing as they swept about over the dis
NAL waste.
The sup rose red ball of fire, color
ing the ridges of sand, and painting
the grotesque rocks with crimson
streamers. In the shadow Of bald
cliff the wagon was halted briefly. and
the two men brought forth materials
from within, making hasty fire, and
preparing breakfast. Water was given
the team also, before the journey was
resumed: while during the brief halt
the girl was left to do as she pleased.
Then they moved on again, surround
ed by the same drear landscape the
very depression Of 1t keeping them
silent.
They settled down to the same
monOtOny, mile after mile. The way
became rocker, with less sand, but
with no more evidence Of life. Far
away ahead strange buttress Of rock
rose into the sky resembling the tur-
ret of huge castle. The sun was di
rectly overhead when Moore turned
his team suddenly to the left, and
drove down sharp dcclivity leading
into ravine.
"Drop the canvas, Joe," he said
shortly, "there's only bout mile
more"
The passage was so narrow, and so
diversified by sharp turns, that Miss
Donovan, shut In behind the closed
cover, could perceive little of it's ma
ture. The cliffs arose precipitOusly
on either side, absolutely bare. To
the left nothing could be seen but
black rock, but on the other side an
open space yawned, perhaps twenty
feet across, its bottom imperceptible.
The horses stumbled over the rough
stones, held only by MoOre's firm grip
on the reins, and the light began to
fade as they descended. At last moth.
ing appeared above but narrow strip
of sky, and the gllmmer of sun had
totally vanished. Almost at the same
moment me driver released the creak.
ing brake, and at a trot the wagon
swept forward between two pinnacles
Of rock, and came out into an open
valley.
The transition was so sudden md
startling as to cause the girl to give
utterance to a cry of surprise. They
were in a green, watered valley, a
clear stream wandering here and there