Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 40, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 16 March 1878 — Page 2

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

1KRRE HAUTE, MARCH 16,1878

THE SILVER LINING. There's never a daysoscmny Bat

A

little cloud appear*: *S ippearn BO nappy

There's never a life so nappy Bat has had Its time of tears:. Yet the son shines oat the brighter

When the stormy tempest clears.

There's never a garden growing With roses in t-very plot There's never a heart so hardened fvfj

Bat it has one tender spot We hava only to prone the border To find the forget-me not There's never a cap so pleasant

Bat has bitter wltn the sweet There's never a path so ragged .• That bears not the print of feet And we have a helper promised

For all trials we may meet.

The'e's never a son that rises f' Bat we know 'twill set at night The tint* that gitam in the morning

At evening are Just as bright And the hour that is the sweetest ,«*«* Is between the dark and light.

There's never a dream that's happy 4? But the waking makes us sad he re a re am so

But the waking makes UH glad We shall look some day with wonder At the troubles we have bad.

There's never away so narrow «c4 Bat the em ranee is made straight There's always a guide to point us ft

To the "little wicket gate" =-i*, And the angels will be nearer' 1. To a soul that's desolate.

There's never a heart so haughty But will some day bow and kneel There's never a heart so wounded

That the Savior cannot heal There's many a lonely forehead That is bearing the hidden seal.

There's never a day so sanny Bui a little oloud appears There's never a life

HO

happy

But has bad its time of tt-ars: Yet the sun shines out the brighter When the stormy tempest clears, -v

Married to a Highwayman.

A BLACK HILLS ROMANCE.,

BY CHERRY JAMES.

'Do you think there is any danger, sir?' The speaker was a lady on the great seat of a stage coach, which swayed to and fro in a frightful manner as the horses attached to it tolled on over the rough stage road leading to Deadwood. The gentleman she add reased 1sat opposite her, with his gaze bent through the window upon the dreary landscape, which attitude be bad occupied in sllence for hours previous. Now, however he started as if from a reverie, at the Bouud of her voice, and replied courteously: 'I think not. Our driver is a careful fellow, and these coaches are not easy to overthrow.' 'That is not what I had referred to,' she said, with a slight tinge of impatience in her voice 'It is danger from the robbers that I apprehend. You know they have frequently stopped the cosfccho®' 'Ah! ao.they have. They are ugly fellows to encounter, and in this wild region one don't know where he may meet them. Are you frightened?' 'I thought I would not be, but I fear I am just a little,' she said, with an attempt at a laugh that ended in a sob and a slight shiver. He noticed the latter, and, thinking it was occasioned by the chill of the evening, he undid a soft blanket robe from its straps, and gallantly placed It over her shoulders, for wblcn she thanked him in very sweet tones. In this act of gallantry, their heads were for a moment almost in contact, and her hands almost brushed his cbooks*

When he again relapsed into his former position, he knew that at each of her beautifully shaped ears bung a magnifioent solitaire diamond, and that several of the fingers of her perfectly shaped hand bore a blinding, bewildering array of the same gems.

An hour after, the coach drew up at the fonely wayside rancbe, where the lady and gentlemen we have introduced and: the only other passenger partook of a rude supper. Something about the coach bad broken, and its departure was delayed nearly half an hour over time while the damage was being repaired. The gentleman leaned against the side of the adobe oorral and listlessly watched the work of repair, and smoked a cigar. Suddenly, at the sound of voices close to bim, but"separated from him by the corral wall, he grew attentive and apparently anxious. The speakers, whoever they were, talked in an undertone as if afraid of listeners, and yet loud enough for him to know that they did not suspect his presence. 'My! ain't tbey ge-orglous,' exclaimed one of the speaker*, in ecstacy. 'That don't only naif tell it they're just sniptious, they're superlative, they are,' replied a second voice in a lpfty tone. •Why, I'd lay 'em in at five thousand shiners, a third voice added. 'Five thousand! Jim Pike, you're aft idiot. They were imported especially ior that gal* and cost twenty-five thou ifgand in gold—gold, mind you, landed at INew York and no commission added. 1 )t the facts direct from her jeweler, in lcago, by engagiug him to duplicate them for me when I closed the sale of the Big Gulcb mine for half a million.

got I Chic

Ha! ha! ha! I suppose he's still waiting.' The listener now had bis ear close to the ado bo wall. •Anyway, Ben. I was more'n half tempted to hold the gal up right thar at the table, and ease ber of 'em. I could have done It slick, and cut before that tig fellow a-sttUn' beside could have wak^d up*' •If you bad attempted it, Duchy, I'd have put a bullet through you myself. Cusses on you we're not none o* your cowardly sneak thieves, or pick pockets, nor robbers, nother we're gentlemen,

W*Ther«

now, Ben, don't be so touchy, I

didn't mean to spoil your game, only I can'tsavy the difference.' 'Difference, hayf We don't go skulking round with dark lanterns, and chloroform, and all that sort o' rubbish we lost lay for our game openly, pick oar »u?e, crack the driver over, and walk up boldly and politely ask the paaeengers to dlvy. W® take their valuables, yon see, and they keep their liven. If they object and want to try conclusions, why we're ready ftwr ye see? What more could yon ask of gentlemen? But oocne clo*e up, boys, I've got a secret fbs you. There's a mighty pile more than that gal's diamonds to nave tonight.' •Thunder, Ben! Are you In dead, downright 'aruestf' •Of course I am, Lirken. You don't know me, boy*, if you think I've been layln' around a hotel In Chicago a hall month, talking leads, and quarts, an

big clean upe, and making people believe I was gettinrupa stock company on the Big Gulob bonanza, all Jest for them diamonds. I spotted thai gal at the hotel, aud 'twasn't till I l'arnea that she'd lots of tin and was oraxy to speoolate with It, that I laid for her. Then I began to stuff her with all sorts of tall swagger about the Hills, not meanin', you know, that I ever spoke to ber, for, I tell you, Tbele Davidge is a perfect little lady, and a beauty, too, and I'd frighten ner with my handsome face, ha! ha! ha! but I just occupied days in bunting up every bit of print about the Hills that had the right ring to it, and sendln' it to ber, or layln' it where she'd be sure to see it. And I sent her pounds of beautiful specimens, and I hired a young fellow that was a starvin', and set him to writing up the tallest yarns you ever heerd about the mines, and I got tbem printed and sent them to her. and among them were several tellln' bow some gals went out there and invested in mining property and made millions without their friends knowing anything about it. That did the bis. She jus! packed up at onoe. And now, Koys, listen. I stood not five feet from ber in a Chicago bank, when she drew 150,000—five ten thousand dollars bills none o' your checks, or drafts, or registered bonds, that a fellow's got to commit forgery and run a mighty risk on, but greenbacks, payable to nearer.'' •By hokej! Ben, is that so? Has she got in now? Why didn't you nip 'em in the bank or on the road somewhere? Its always safest to take a thing when you can get it.' •Cusses on it, I missed her somehow. I hadn't a chance to play it sharp at the bank, and she toolt a carriage from there straight to the railway depot. It outrun me, but I thought I had her sure for tbe hotel clerk told me she would go by the Northwestern. Darn his eyes, he must have suspected me, for he told/ me wrong, and I didn't know the difference until Chicago was sixty miles be* hind. 'At Omaha I missed her again, com ing through on tbe train ahead of her. At Sidney, I got just two minutes white she was writing a telegram to go through ber satchel, but the stuff wasn't there. I filched ber portmonnie from ber pocket, but there wssn't an, it except a few visitini scraps of silk, and several larsln bills. I put tbe portmonnie back in her pocket with the contents untouched, so as not to arouse ber suspicions.' 'Ben, suppose she's changed her mind about carryin' tbem greenbacks and sent tbem on from Omaha through a bank, wouldn't we feel cheap?' 'You fool, you! just let a woman think she's doin' Bometnin' she hadn't ought to, and she'll stick to it to eternity. Woman like, she's got tbem bills sewed up in ber clothes or bid about her person somewhere! We'll find em, don't fear. But now about the preliminaries. The horses?' 'Full of fire, and pawing to be off.' 'And tbe saddles and girths?' 'Depend on Jim Pike for that, Ben. No nag'll ever turn a saddle, or slip a girth

UIVIDUUUIO irUlM isn't anything in is cards, some at hundred dol-

And the shootin' irons?* A I've a trusty revolver, and mighty sharp knife.'

s»i..u

'And you, Duchy?' *&? 'Six onambers filled withsartin death?' 'And I've as muoh. Eighteen leaden pills for the driver and two passengers, not countin' tbo gal. Six apiece that'll do. But, see here, boys, we don't want no hengin' fire I don't like the looks o' that big fellow that escorted tbe gal in to supper. Do either of you know nim? 'Never sot eyes on him before, but then he's too sleepy lookin' to amount to much.' 'Dun't you be too certain of that, Jim Pike. Tbem sleepy lookin' fellers are sometimes might ugly customers when they're waked up. He looks like he wouldn't stand no foolin'.' •And the other passengers?' v. 'Ob, he's nothln® a tailor or a t&tchftr that'll likely faint at the smell o' powder.'

Where'll we tackle the stage, Ben?' At Frenchy creek, just where the road takes to the hill. It'll reach there aboat two, after tbe moon has set and them inside will be snoozln'. We'll go throuuh 'em before tbey wake up. Maybe we'll get a loose thousand or two on that big fellow to swell our pile. I ain't certain but we'll take tbe gal along with ns. She's mighty pretty, and I'm struck on her.' 'Just the thing we'll have her and the swag both.' 'Where'll we lay, in the underbrush to the right of the road?' 'Yes. Then you watch me, Jim. and dash for the coach when I do. And you Duchy—'

We'll see that the driver don't trouble you. •Good!' & •Suppose, after we get the swag, we have to scatter?-

Then let each man make tbe best of bis way to Spauish Mike's tavern in Deadwood. There isn't a soul outside tbe folks of our trade that knows it's a shelter for free and easy road agents. Just mention Mike's, and it's a passport among any of the boys.' 'But. Ben, here's something we haint talked over. Some of tbe boys may get their work in on the stage nefore she reaches Frenchy, and then we will feel cheap.' •There isn't much fear of that. The boys all know there's no treasure box aboard to-night, and only a light passenger list.' 'By the way, Ben, it's reported that Nat Burgess, the king of road agents and terror of tbe Pueblo roads, is coming up here to learn us bow he can walk In right ahead of tbe smartest of us. In fact, tbe boys have been expecting to bear about some of his work for nights past.' •Thunder and bllcxards! ia that so? Why be* chain lightnin', they say, and if he gets in on our work, our cake's dough, you can just bet your bottom dollar on that.* •Not much If I savy things. If he's irterfered with our game—pulled our trap, you know, here's one tbat wont let him go off with it if I get In reach of him.' 'Them's my sentiments, Jim. Never* Ben and you and

I

have worked up this

thing, and we aint goin' to ait down and let any other road agent boost ns ont o' it, even 11 we have to try conclusions with this Nat Bargees that tbey all talk about, Aint them your sentiments too, Ben?' 'What! turn around agin a fellow pro* feesional because he's stampeded the game afore us? Not rnoeh, and if you're that style of follows, don't oount me in. I'd as soon think of in' house as professional. most dishonorable thing in the world. Beside*—have yon ever met thia Nat Burgees?' •No, though most everybody's talkin' about bim and scared to death of roeettn* him.* •I bavent met him nutber.' •Nor I, but, if half they tell aboat him It true, none o' you, nor all of us put together dont want to fool with turn, or some of os will need plantln', ran as breatbin'.' &«¥'.<iS',TO

Hww«,aont oount me in. Ink of denning out a meetgoin' through a brother

Dura it, beys, it's the

TERRE HAUTE bAlURDAY EVENING MAIL.

Tbe three confederates talked several minutes longer and when they stole cautiously out of the corral tbe man who had liatencd so long was seated In the coaob, apparently asleep, and the lady passenger occupied the seat facing him, as before. A few minutes later the repaired cotcb was toiling over the rough roads again, but the sleeping passenger awoke In tune to look out over the plain and otcb a glimpse, against the rising moon, of three dark objects—men on horseback, he imagined—rapidly outstripping the coach lit Its labored journey northward. Was it this scene tbat animated him into addressing the lady passenger, and wooing ber into holding a lively conversation with him? How much speedier tbe hours of the long journey fled, she thought, as they conversed how agreeable and entertaining be was bow manly and bonest tbe tone of his voice, and now strange that, ere she knew it, she was talking about herself—telling him many of her pet thoughts and nobbles, and repeating to him mauy bits of her history and many of her purposes and plana of life, just tbe same as if she had known him and trust ed bim during all the conscious years of her life!

Midnight came round whfle they thus conversed together, and p-ew t-» know each other she could scare iy be convinced tbattbey bad spent hours in their delightful communion—it all seem ed but minuses to her, and it was then only because of his earnest solicitation tbat she allowed him to fix a pillow for her to rest her bead on, and promised to try to sleep. it was not until bis furtive glances, drawn from tbe landscape without to her face, told bim that ber eyes were veiled by their drooping lashes in quiet, innocent slumber, tbat he forgot tbe landscape, forgot everything, apparently, but to watch the sleeping figure. The silver glint of tbe moonlight relieved by its reflecting rays tbe sombre gloom of tbe interior of the ooach enough to enable bim to see ber plainly. A petite figure, of graceful carriage, with a face lovely at any time—trebly so now in the softeued light and tbe repose slumber hrought to its perfeotly moulded features, though their greatest beauty, the soft, liquid depths of her eyes of seal brown, were veiled—all tbis added to a charmingly commingled atmosphere of girlish impulsiveness and ladylike refinement and dignity, made ber strangely interesting to ber traveling companion. •Beautiful he questioned to himself gazing upon ber with strange interest: •yes, more than beautiful—lovely Ana she would be still more charming if she would net persist in confining her splendid bair in that detestable bag. Fastidi ous and extremely tasteful in everything else about her garb, I can't account for tbis monstrosity. Sh'e seems to be sensitive abaut it herself, for her bands go up to it very frequently, even in ber slumber, as if to bide it from view. She'd be an angel with that gloriuus mass of ringlets floating over her neck and shoulders. 'Innocent? Yes, as a child, of the tricks and deceptions of the worldbrave, bonest little woman with a girl's impulses and woman's romance and weakness tbe first shown in ber extravagant tistefjr gems and jewels, and her unwise inclination to display them on her own beautiful person, not because they represented so much wealth, but because tbey are things of beauty, to be petted and admired, like birds and flowers aud music the latter displayed in her anxiety to overstep the limits oi action allotted to her sex, and prove by ber successes in a sphere where even brave men hesitate to venture, tbat she has nerve and wisdom enough to win successes in the very vantage ground of the sterner sex. Poor, romantio girl, bow humiliating will be her failure!'

And while he ruminated thus, and thought her asleep, ber brown eyes, apparently closed, were looking out through their drooping lashes into his face with yearning scrutiny. During all tbe long day,|now gone, she had been very homesick, very, lonely. Tbe ease and exhilarating motion of railway travel bad kept her excited spirits at full tide, causing ber to feel like a crusader otold going to do battle for a holy cause. But tbis awful thumping of stage coach travel, this dreary stretch of plain and bill, the rude habitations, tbe ruder men and women, tbe talk of Indian and bandit depredations along tbe route she was taking, the sight of every man armed with deadly weapons, and the tales of bloodshed and rapine repeated everywhere with the utmost aang froid—all these drove her to a state bordering on hysterics.

She awakened to tbe silly fallacy that had spurred her into this, tor her, worse than idiotic journey. She would gladly have sacrificed haif ber fortune to be safely back among ber friends she wtvs sick with terror, ready to burst into tears on tbe least provocation. Tbis was ber feelings when she first ventured to address this quiet, reticent man sitting opproite ber. From that moment she bad felt much relieved. Now, after hours of conversation with him, she was pretending slumber, while furtively reading bis faoe, which was in the full moonlight. •He i* not really handsome,' she thought, 'but, oh! so noble and manly looking, and so thoughtful and tender. He must be good, ana yet be looks as If be might be one of those great robbers or baudits I have read about. Ob, if It should be so, at any rate I feel safe with him, and I never met any gentleman that—that I liked halfaswell.'

Saying this, and feeling strangely pleased, and yet full of wonder at the way his sad eyes lingered upon her, she fell* asleep.

And the other passenger, the little man on the rear seat? He bad been asleep for hours, and his snoring reverberated through the coach like the blasts of a fog born.

An hour or more passed, when the man who sat watching tbe sleeping girl, spoke in a cautions undertone to the driver.' •How far are we from Frenchy creek?' he asked. •Will be thar in about half an hour if allgoes well,' was the answer.

The girl was half conscious In ber sleep •f the question and reply, but at that moment she was dreaming tbat the stage had been attacked by robbers, tbat the

grasped

lently. She awoke with a smothered scream, to discover that ber imagined defender's hand was resting on her sboalder in an attempt apparently to arouse her. •O, it is not so! it is only a dream after

•That we were attacked by robbers, gnd yon—bat—but wbat la tbe matter? Why do yon look at me an strangely?' ahe added, in a sudden unaccountable alarm.

His eyea had been fastened moat pleadingly, pitifully, and yet sternly, upon hers, xfow, nowever, he started, painfully brushed his bands over hia brow, and said hurriedly: 'Pardon

DM,

madam, if I mast give

yoa a painful shock. I am nngauant

enough to request you to deliver over to me those diamonds at your ears.' •Wha-at?' she fairly shrieked, arousing the little man on tbe rear seat from bis aleep. •It may simplify matter*, madam, if you will look upon me as a highwayman and accede quietly to my request for your valuables.'

With cutting, biting scorn in ber faoe, in her voice, in her bearing, abe forgot for a moment her alarm, and proudly drawing herself up, she hissed oat 'You are the creature wnom I thought a gentleman, whom I stooped to converse with, and allowed to show me the civilities of a gentleman, until you lulled me Into security, and you new pounoe upon your game. None but a villain of tbe lowest type would then seek a lady's confidence and in so cowardly a manner take advantage of ber trust and helplessness."

He dropped his eyes ss if struck a fierce blow. •I despise and defy yau,' she added, on oatching her breath. 'I will call on the driver to protect me.' •Do so,' be said, looking up quickly, with a dangerous gleam in hia eyes.

The driver beard her cry for help, reined bis horses up in an instant, and dashed bis band into tbe boot for bis revolver. preparatory to rushing to the lady's assistance.

Jebosapbat!' he exclaimed in consternation, 'my shootin' iron is missin'.' 'Yes,'answered the noncbalent voice of tbe lady's assailant, from bis seat in tbe coach, 'I forgot to inform you, driver tbat I borrowed it at tbe station where we halted for supper.' •The devil you did! Who are you, anyway,' the driver demanded. 'Did you ever hear of Nat Burgess?' 'Nat Burgess, the terror of the roads! Thunder and lightnin', he's come at last,' the driver exclaimed. 'I'm sorry for you, but there ain't any five men on the road'll tackle Nat Burgess, much less me, that hasn't any shootin' iron. You'd better fork over peaceably.'

He scrambled into the box, picked up the reins and started the animals as if a thousand demons were after him, while the girl sank back with a moan of helplessness. But suddenly she beheld tbe staring eye* of the little man on the rear seat, and pleaded with him to protect ber.

Her assailant turned and looked the man over quizically, which had the effeet of having him in his fright throw himself on his knees in the bottom of tbe ooach, and beg for his life on condition of his giving up all the money he possessed. The self confessed high wayman turned away with a motion of disgust. 'The earrings, if you please, madam,' he said impatiently to his now helpless victim.

It was not a dream—it was reality and there was no escape for her. Theie Davidge drew tbe flashing gems from her ears and threw tbem into hiB outstretched band.

He flushed painfully as he slipped tbem into his pocket. 'The rings on your fingers, now,' he said.

Tbey were stripped off—those glorious gems—and handed over. •Do you wish my portmonnie,' she asked, languidly. 'No plunder is too insignificant for creatures of your stamp I believe.'

Again he flushed painfully, but answered quietly: 'You may retain your portmonnie. I will, however, take the fifty thousand dollars concealed on your person.'

A quick, choking gasp and a wild, hopeless stare was his only answer for a minute. Then she said, with a great effort at calmness, but in broken, husky words: 'Since you imagine me possessed of so great a sum, your imagination may also lead you to advise me where to search for it.' *Among your hair, madam,' be replied, unhesitatingly.

One vHSt sob from her told him how well he bad guessed. Vanquished at last! all the courage tbat up to this point had steeled her nerves and made the man who was ruthlessly robbing her, secretly wonder, and admire her, and she gave up completely. Dashing aside the net that held up ber wavy masses of lair, they, fell over ber shoulders in clustering richnessj-and out from them fell a small package containing the five bank notes of ten thousand dollarseach which she bad drawn from the Chicago banks. The unpitying man quietly placed this package, unopened, in his pocket, where tbe diamonds already lay, and while Tbele Davidge. with ber face bidden, wept silently and long, be kept bis gaze persistently upon tbe landscape visible from tbe coach.

Thus he remained for many minutes, until his quick eye caught a silvery gleam, like water, a little distance in advance. 'Is that stream of water French creek?' he shouted to the driver. 'Yes, Mr. Nat Burgess. We'll be thar ill five minutes,' the driver politely replied 'And tbe moon is an hour high yet! Thank God!' be muttered.

Then addressing tbe weeping girl and the little man cowering on tbe rear seat, he said: 'You must both immediately lie down on tbe floor of the stage and not move frjm tbat position until I command you to. Not here—on the left side.'

Tbe weeping girl looked up defiantly, but there was something in his eyes tbat told ber be bad better be obeyed. Crouching there, weak and helpless, she saw bim draw forth two revolvers, examine tbeai carelully, and after glancing to see tbat sue was uroucbing low, turn hia back upon ber in such a way as to en tirely cover her from the view of any one from tbe right side of tbe coacb, remaining in tbat position, stationary as a statue, witb eyes bent outside and a cocked revolver in each band.

Wbat could be tbe meaning of all tbis? The ooach splashed into and througb tbe waters of a narrow creek, crunched over a stretch of sand, gravel and bowlder, and, just as it began to ascend a hillside, a figure of a man sprang from a clump of bushes at the roadside and grasped tbe check rein of the leaders while be pointed a revolver at tbe bead of tbe driver, shouting: •Draw up, Tracy, and hold np yonr or I'll put a bullet clean through you. We're going through this ooach.'

At the same moment two confederates with drawn revolver*, sprang from the undergrowth toward the ooacn. 'You're too late, boys,' growled tbe driver. -Nat Burgets got his work in ahead of vou.' •Hay!' •What!' 'Damnation!' cried the three robbers, stopping aa if paralyzed, and in tbe sadden shock of this news even dropping the muzzle® of their re*

^sTurT as gospel! Nat Bargees has cleaned out tbe whole shebang, tbe driver answered. 'Curat* on our lnek, there's seventyfive thousand dollars gone.' •See here, Tracy, you're not putting np stiff on ua,' exclaimed one of the own. •If yoa are, you'll never draw rein over another team, mind yoa.' •Of course I'm not. Inquire Inside if youqaeetioa iu* •Where did It happen?*

Aboat five miles back on the road.*

•By thunder, boys, we can overtake Bnrgess witb the plunder. Which way did be break, Tracv?' 'Why, he didn't breaks-he's inside thar.' 'Inaidf!' 'Here I am, gentlemen, at your service,' interrupted a tantalizing voice from the coash. 'Hold there, no nearer please. Drop that band, Duoby. Don't move, Pike. You see, I bold two full bands. I cover every man of you, and if either of you attempt to raise a weapon IU lay all three of you out.' 'Done for, by thunder! Trapped off gaard!' •Covered, and nary a chance to play a band.' 'That big fellow, by jingo! our game's up.'

These were tbe exclamations of the three confederates as, on hearing that voioe, tbey turned hastily towards tbe coacb and discovered the barrels of those two revolvers pointing unerringly at tbem, while In their sadden and painful surprise they bsd forgotten tbeir weapons, whose muzzles ware pointing to the ground. •Well, what do you propose, gentlemen added tbe mocking voioe. 'First came, first served I believe is tbe law of tbe highway I've got the plunder, and if you propose getting it, I'll promise to make the game as Interesting as possible for you. Take care, Ben DavU another move like tbatand I'll send you to kingdom come.' •See here, now. Burgess, you've got us, but don't be too bard on us,' one of tbe confederates pleaded. 'We've been to a mighty big trouble and expense traiiin' that gal and her stuff, and you mighty diwy with us, it would only be fair, you know.' 'Well, we will talk tbat over, boys, when we meet at Spanish Mike'B, up at Deadwood.' 'Boys, he's one of us, sure,' muttered Ben to bis comrades, 'else be wouldn't know notbin' about Spanish Mike's. I doubted bim first, but hands off, boys,or we'll get mighty hurt 'All right, Burgess,' said Jim Pike, •we'll wait only turn us over tbe gal now.

She's no value to you since you've got the plunder.' A smother moan sounded behind the man who stood there facing the robbers. •What do you mean?' be demanded, fiercely. •Why the gal's best out of your way, and we'll take care you won't see her again.' •That's so,' said Duchy, 'it's only fair we'd get revenge some way for our disappointment.' •Insinuate such a dastardly thing .again,(either oMyou, and Til put you where your villainy won't trouole tbis world. Before you barm a hair of ber head you will have to walk over me,' be replied in ringing tones. 'God bless you! I forgive you all else f~r saving me from them,' he beard Thele Davidge say in a tone of doep thankfulness, and he whispered 'Crouch low tbe danger is not over yet.' 'Clasp your bands behind your backs,' be demanded of the three confederates. •Drop your8weapons first. Ob, you wont well, a little coercion from one of these pets may help you. Oh, that's best obedience saves trouble. Now, face tbe other way. Very good: the first man who attempts to reach bis weapon, starts to run or turns bis face or body for tbe next five minutes, has his fate upon his own hands. Are you ready to go on, driver •Ready and anxious, Mr. Burgess.' •Drive on lively then. I'll protect you.'

The crack of the whip sounded, the horses eagerly "sprang forward, and the coach sped up the bill at a lively gait. It had not gone far, wh»»n Jim Pike, no longer able to resist the temptation, turned his head and saw those two threatening revolvers, held by an unerring hand, still on guard, and he saw, also, besides tbe form and face of tbe courageous man wbo held them, the pale face of Tbele Davidge, peering, awed and inquiring, past his shoulder. With a loud curse, he stooped like a flash, grasped bis revolver lying at bis feet ready cocked, sprang around facing the coach and fired, exolairaing: •Take that, you pale faced wench.'

Thele Davidge saw tbe movement the man standing before her saw it first, however, and divining its causes, threw himself forward to more completely oover her. At the same moment his fingers touched the triggers of the revolvers he held, and simultaneously witb tbe crack of Jim Pike's revolver, a bullet pierced bis brain, and another overlook Duchy as he was stooping to secure his revolver. 'I hoped to avoid bloodshed, but it is better so,' muttered tbe perpetrator of tbis. 'If tbey had escaped unhurt, they would have followed after us on tbeir homes, and attacked

us

elsewhere, when

all the advantage would have been theirs Now, the only survivor will not touch us.'

Assuring tbe young lady and the other passenger tbat all danger was past, be again turned his gaze out upon tbe stretch of country they were passing over. After some minutes be felt a light touch upon his arm, and looking up, he saw Tbele Davidge gazing strangely upon him. 'You saved me from worse than death at tbe risk of your own life,' she ssid feelingly.

lA

Did I be answered absently* •Yes, and for that act I forgive you tbe act preceding it. I wish I could prove my gratitude in more than words. •Would you •Yes, if you would show me bow.' •Please, tuen, bandage my arm.' 'Oh are you wounded she exclaimed piteously. •1 fear that fellow's bullet penetrated tbe flash of my arm rather deep, and I am growing faint Irom loss of blood.' *1liat bullet meant for me she questioned searching bis eyes closely. 'It would have reached its mark had you not divined its course and moved so as to interrupt it. Doubly am I indebted to you for life.* !e could not deny it be only bung his head.

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And with fingers nerved by double gratitude, she hastily tore away tbe sleeve of his coat, tenderly staunched tbe flow of blood from tbe wound, and bandaged It.

From that moment until the first tints of day appeared, no words passed between tbem. Hia eyes were fixed in a steady gaze outside,while she said nothing, bnt every little while carefully tended the wounded arm, not allowing herself to think how strange her position in oaring for the man wbo bad robbed ber of all her worldly wealth.

Tbe slleiy^e was broken by the driver. •See here, Mr. Nat Burgess,' he shouted, 'we're getUn' mighty near tbe settlement. It'll be rather warm for you tbar. I thought I'd give yoa a hint to break for cover, for if I dldnt yoa might pay ofl my little inattenticn with a ballet in my heed, besides yoa did a an toom-

o«uie* in

UIJ HOTu-

that Job down the roaa mighty neat and I like yon, I do. And a vigilance com mittee ain't the nicest thing to fees,

they're mighty unsattain.' •thanks, driver,' quietly repttod wounded man, 'but 1 am .not Nat Bargees.'

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'Whs-at? Ob, now, Nat, that's too thin, you're wantln' to play us with^ some new dodge.' •Possibly,' added the other. 'I can| explain the matter satisfactorily to tbisf brave lady wbo has been so great a sufferer. Bnt first, driver, is there sny likelihood of -our meeting any more skulking robbers.' 'Nary a one they don't bother us intn daylight, nor haul us up so near theU settlement.' 'Then, madam, I will resign my trust over these treasures I

He laid in her lap the valuable gems* and the fifty thousand dollar package.k She did sot touch them. She seemedf* stunned, bewildered. 'My name, madam,' he continued, 'is. Jordan Marsh. I am going to Deadwood as the manager of some mining and mill interests for eastern capitalists. Fortune led me to be your oompanion on this journey. At the ranch where we!? partook of supper, I accidentally over-^ heard the plans of three ruffians to at-* tack tbe stage at Frenchy creek, theirr object being to secure your Jewelry and money, if not worse. One of thesescoundrels had seen you atyoar hotel in Chicago, bad incitea you to proceed to this mining country, by having your fancy inflamed about its wealth, in various cunning ways, had stood by youwhen you drew tbe fifty thonsaod dollars from the bank, ana had trailed your footsteps every since.'

A low gasp—a murmur, 'Oh. how blind I have been 1' interrupted bim. 'I learned from a secret conference of the villains,' he continued,' all their plans for attacking the coach, and further, tbat tbey had a very wholesome terror of a notorious southern road agent named Nat Burgess, unknown in thia vicinity, but believed to be on the road, whom one or two of them feared might overhaul us and secure your valuablesbefore the coach should reaoh Frenchy creek, tbeir point of attack. I also learned tbat it was the law among theseroad robbers never to war on each other. Taking ad vantage of tbis information, I determined to save your \alualls and your life from the hands of these rulliaus by personating Nut Burgess, the highwayman, even to your deception as well as tbe driver's, though in so doing I would forever forfeit a kind thought^ from you.' 'No, no,' she murmured, 'I understand It all now.' 'My plan worked well,' he continued. 'The driver's positive assurance to tbe robbers that Nat Burgess had robbed the stage, stunned them and disconcerted^ their plans for the moment, and that? moment was enough to ensble me to cover tbem with my revolvers. But even bad they gained the stage, you and our other passenger would have corroborated the driver, and their terror of Nat Burgess would, then, have aided me in a fight with tbem. Tbat is all I have tot offer in defense of my conduct.'

And all that she said in reply was: 'How I have wronged you! How weak and blind I have been You can) only despise nie now.'

Before he could auswer she had sought, that woman's refuge—tears. And he let' ber weep on, knowing these tears would* rest and quiet ber overstrained systemi more tlmu all the medicines in theC world.

An hour after the stage drove into* Deadwood. On alighting our hero tookThele Davidge's outstretched band a, moment, and said in a low tone 'Pardon me for suggesting that youJ at once place your jewels and money in" the care of some banking house, and that you invest in nothing except under, the advice of some honorable, reliable buslnefcs tran.'

He was gone before she could r«-ply. Three days after when Jordan Alart^ was seated in his cflice at Deadwood, alone, thinking as he had done all these days, of tbe sweet companion of his stage ride, whom he bad not seen since, sue entered. Tbey were both embarrassed both flushed painfully, andsjie wbo bad promised herself to act so wisely, could say nothing but inquire about his wounded arm, and then set silent and confused. At last she managed to say 'I have, according to your advice, Mr. Marsh, found an honorable reliable business man, whom I have empowered to take the management of all my business interests.' 'I am glad to bear it. May I ask wbo tbe gentleman is?' 'Yourself here lay

Our authority duly

executed. ,t 'Miss David ire

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But she had withdrawn without bearing hi objections, and the power of attorney that she had left behind gave him authority to make any investments he deemtd wise, and draw on ber bank-' ers for any sums of money he required.

It soon necaine noted in tbe neighborhood how many rides Mr. Marsh and Miss Davidge took together, looking over mining property, aud bow many evenings tbey spent together talking over business matters. Nevertheless, the Investment of ber funds by Jordan Marsh was wisely made, as three mouths later she sold ber mining interests on^ kis advice for treble tbeir cost to ber.

About tbis time ber friends in Chicago received the startling intelligence from ber that she bad married a highway-* man! Tbey were horrified, bnt tbey all agreed that it was only tbe natural denouement to ber quixotic scheme of going into such a locality alone and unprotected. Wblle tbey were seriously considering whether if was not plainly tbeir duty to summarily cut hor from tbeir list of acquaintances, she dropped In among them, unannounced, aceooK, panted by her highwayman husband, Jordan Marsh. Aod she was almost jealous, tbe way all ber lady friends proceeded immediately to fail in love witb bim. But he continued to think tbat bis dear, loving, little wife, Tbele, is tbe best woman tbe world over.

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