Down the Mother Lode

O poet, and

ur window and wa

truggling throu

s purposes gra

sture, a fac

m your bosom the

lies like my

and dream as

our duty is done

t Ha

family. It is surrounded today by one of the most beautiful orchards in the foothills. Wide verandahs of the native gray granite to match the old house itself

he plains crawling up from the bridge at Whiskey Bar, below Rattlesnake, glad that their six months' struggle was nearly over: of horsemen on beautiful Spanish horses riding furiously, whither no one knew nor dared ask; of

by the cellar" of Tom Bell's stronghold. In the end the place fell, in the war between order and lawle

untaineer House strumming a

page, as some writer sa

appier days, of pea

the world knows not. A

t is not forgot. Althou

iously forth into the dusk. A horse was galloping up the Folsom road. The horseman was near-was unde

," said Tom Bell's sneering voice at her elbow. "Ther

s flashed, but she a

ick, so you, senor, have not the

me since Rattlesnake Dick came prowling back from Shasta coun

what it pleas

illips permi

d her slend

. Life-this pl

you, too-now. Pl

d) and there was only cruelty in her smile-n

no 'you.' The night is coming

se past the window to the stables in the cel

ws," said Bell, leaving her hurriedly, and so neg

d high. Her vivid face glowed like a scarlet poppy and was bright with smiles. Three or four men in

just entered-who are they?" She went across the room to the newcomers. "The s

d. Among the handful of coins and small nuggets he brought

ove toke

f Betsy Jane" (a term o

gatory for all who are in this bar room. Your 'love token' names you

to pause at a small table w

fellow, you are n

was new indeed, or he would have realized the danger

o far,

r, but my journey is nea

S

Elena Ashley, at Auburn, to wh

r white teeth

inger at Mount

h. I walked. I was tired. I saw you in

whim seized her to save this exuberant y

and rich pack tonight. It lies in the next room. Do you go there at once. I w

m Driscoll at the other, Tom Bell in the middle. Rosa paused near a br

hy did you save that boy, just now? A new lover

y there was a curious rumbling noise in the stable underneath. Rosa swept over the candelabra. All the lights in the plac

to purgato

embers of the gang in order to distinguish the robbers from the robbed, in the darkness. There were curses, the kicking and squealing of horses

's pack as Rosa entered the roo

r section of the cellar. "Jose," she called. An evil looking Mexican pushed

sen

d with all his belongings. He has no money. Do you hea

gift fo

to Elena tonight, is you-her lover. Ask her to than

arden. A shrub grew on top of the door, surrounded by a bed of fragrant wild pansies. Jose kicked the staring youth away from the en

r. Feminine loveliness in silks and cameos gathered from every section. General Sutter and his officers somet

he ballroom floor ready for a quadrille. Elena Ashley

County," she told him. "He does not

cently jewelled and dressed in a rich silk of pearl

op of Rosenthal the peddler, in Sacramento, and which he was to bring me two weeks ago. I know it is mine

ous silken folds of her robe. Then she stood waving her

forward. "It is not per

nest of doves, senor. I came but for a little hour to meet a man wh

the ballroom. Tender hearted Elena was conscience stricken. She d

he may have the dress, poor thing! But for her, I shoul

e hands over her mouth. Rosa shrugged indifferently, and tipping

nge promises which, for the safety of this comm

through sinister, narrowed eyelids, and a

to keep," she answered, "and there is al

m Bell to Phillips. "See who is there, and be careful th

t you hung more than once lately, and last night I know she sent that M

l the boys! Hurry!" As Jim Driscoll, with a halt in his walk, left him, Tom Bell stole

ses and the Mountaineer House complete

boys," sai

he ge

in the door, gave the password and heaved the door wide open. C

ightful battle at Mountaineer House before he dared burst forth in

as serving a term in prison. Driscoll had also been sent to the penitentiary. One day a rumor reached

on, and died. At the memory of it Rosa smiled her enigmatic and implacable smile. Tom Bell was at large somewhere far

ll of sweet things, of things that once were fair. There's a turned down page in each life, a

ped to cajole into buying Mountaineer House. She strolled out into th

in the dust, his hand upon the beast's shoulder. With their serene and joy-illumined faces

osa, but the young man doffed

, but she travels the way in calico with the man she loves. May the Blessed Virgin grant that she shall have no turned dow

ng of Cha