The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-11-23

DuI lUlle WAS NlSlDlc. L lle Tdln-
drops on the branches shone in the
light, and, having hung for a moment
in brightness, dropped one by one into
the blackness; trees and fence near
by stood half-outlined.
There were several horses tied to
the fence-horses which looked spec
trail and shadowy as Guy saw them.
In the center of the lighted space
there were two men besides Guy. Both
were evidently disguised and both were
heavily armed.
"Come on" said both Of them in a
breath to Guy; and one of them added:
Don't you dare to make a noise
above whisper"
The light went out; hand rested in
anything but gentle manner on each
shoulder, and the philosophical singer
was hurried away by his two strange
captors.
Guy Crawford was not frightened;
he was surprised and startled, but not
frightened. He had little money with
him, no valuable jewels, only an old
watch, no papers. Robbery would be
nothing to him.
He didn't exactly welcome the curl
Gus episode in which he was taking an
involuntary part; but he thought OF it
in wonder. instead Of fear.
The line he had been singing ran
through his mind" Then to take
whatever the gods may send and
the full force Of his position, regarded
| as ludicrous comment on the senti-
ment it expressed, burst upon him.
To have saved his life he couldn't have
helped it-he laughed out loud
"You internal fool p Kissed one of
the men in his ear. "This isn't funny,
even if you think so.''
81 know it," answered Guy; its
very solemn and serious affair. But
why don't you take my money and
watch at once, and let me go?'
1--WE don't want your money and
watch, man We've money and
watches enough, without going hunt
ing for them on such night as this.
What we want is a man. We want
you p
They walked for while in COM
paratively open road they turned
aside into narrow path later. At
length they climbed stile and entered
an inclosure.
The dim light of the stormy night
was enough to show white and indis-
tinct masses here and there. Guy
recognized them as monuments and
headstones. They had entered a
cemetery.
A walk of quarter of an hour
really that, but seemingly longer-had
carried them into what Guy felt was a
particularly desolate and retired part
of this deSOlate and retired place.
They made turn in an avenue
which was closely hedged with ever
green, and strange scene lay before
them.
A half-dOzen lanterns stood on the
ground or hung from the trees. In
the space thus lighted a group of six
men and one woman stood near large
and handsome monument. The woman
was wrapped in long cloak and was
heavily veiled. Her arms were bound
to her sides.
She stood in adejected attitude, lean.
ford could believe she was crying from
the way her head was bent; but hel
face was concealed from even the
slightest view.
One old gray-haired man, with g
frightened face, stood near her: his
hands, too, were bound. The rest OF
the men were free, were disguised
some of them with masks, and were as
well-armed as the two who had cap.
tured Guy.
One Of the captors held Guy Craw.
ford, while the other stepped across
the lighted space TO the man who
seemed to be the cliief. The leader
made an impatient movement, and
said something in tone so low that
no one but the men to whom he spoke
could hear it. He was evidently angry
The man answered in louder tone
"Not the right man? How was
to know? l wouldn't have supposed
more than one man would be tramp
ing about the country on such night
except he was well paid for it, This
fellow came along shouting some non
sense about taking what the gods
sent and we took him ut his word
you see, and took him.
The leader laughed-a low, stifled
laugh it was; a laugh that was shut
in by the disguise which covered hi,
face-but it showed that something
had pleased him.
lie spoke again, and as low rs be,
fore; and the impatient man with hin
answered:
"He'll do, you say? l should hopt
so. Why, | wouldn't go hunting
through this black night for another
one for tiwce the pay you offer !"
The leader spoke again and themar
, before him nodded and turned away
He spoke loud enough for all to hear
"Whoever fails to do what he is or
dered tonight will not have a chanc,
to disobey orders again in this world!'
= To the woman he said:
you know this place? 1t is you
fathers grave"
3 Her head was bowed and remaineC
bent lower than before.
He turned to the old man.
"You know the girl? You preache
7 at his funeral who lies here"
f "I know her. l knew him. Yo
are right" he said.
=
e Morning again. Rain still falling
but a break in the clouds low down i
, the eastern sky almost lets the sun
light through.
4 The party who have made The pas