The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-21

"Ot course not. Do you think that Hicks would give anybody a chance7"
 "No, no. l don't know why l was so foolish as to ask such question"
 "The truth is" the woman continued, Hicks won't exactly overtake your friend. He will find out the course he is psr 'uing and then whip round. He took his rife with him, and to tell the truth, l don't think there's any show for your Ifiepd."
 "Why, suppose he shoots him, cannot the officers see that he has been shot p
 "No, not fine is shot in the head. You see, after shooting him, Hicks can throw him over precipice, then go down and mash his head with stone"
 shuddered. My poor friend vas probably dead. Was he not rash2 Had it not been better to make an attempt to buy Hicksp
 "The horse and buggy" continued Mrs. Hicks, twill also be thrown over, and the impression will be created that the unfortunate man drove of the bluff
 "When your husband returns will you please slip out and tell meF'
 "Yes, if possibly can. Good night"
 gave myself up to ill-boding medita- ton. thought of the first time met Mrs. Annie Green. Could have looked little way into the future how would have fled from her. What an uncon- scious fool was in attempting to break her reserve. Were my misfortunes a judgment visited upon me for attempting to draw her into conversation against the will of her husband? Cartwright's face came up before me and convulsively struck at it. saw Browns hellish grin The precipitation of cold agony rolled down my faee. Was that some one at the door? l went to the door and peered through the grating. saw the outlines of dog. "Ah, you are better than hu- man." said as thrust forth my hand The brute snapped at me. "At any rate you are no worse," remarked as l with drew my hand. How slowly the time passed. could see the moon rising. Would it never get above the tops of the trees2 A wolf howled and the dog that had snapped at me parked in defiant re- ply. A screech owl alighted on my prison and uttered his eerie cries. and night hawk, far away, shrieked in distressing cadence. The moon was at last above the tree-tops, and silvery bar of light fell at nay feet. Hicks would not permit me to have light in my cell. Oh, what a merciless wretch.
 "Mr. Barker"
 "That you, Mrs. Hicks?'
 "Yes."
 Has he returned f''
 "No."
 "What time is it?"
 About ten o'clock"
 No later than that? It seems an age | since the sun went down. What do you suppose is keeping your husband so late P
 " don't know. It may be that your friend has given him the slip"
 " earnestly hope so."
 (" do, too, but after all it may be but little better for you. Hicks is not alone. think that he has several con- federates, and if your friend has given him the slip, he may come back an have you removed before the sheriff can get here. Oh, you don't know what a place this is. It is at least seventy. five miles from anything that can be called town and the few people who do inhabit the country are but little better than outlaws. We'll, must go back. When he comes will either come myself or send Vilsie to tell you"
 l sat down on my bed again. "l hope that the doctor has escaped, even if am removed" l unused. "He will never stop until he finds me again."
 lay down and attempted to sleep. The moon had lifted tbe silver bar from my door and m, cell was as dark as mid night.
 "Is that a wagon coming?" unused, "I hear something rattling along the road. It is wagon-it is coming up the hill Gods it has stopped at the gate."
 knew that could see nothing, but l pressed my face against the bars. heard voices and then heard some one groan. heard the shuffling of feet and then all was silent. Again heard voices in the yard. and then heard the wagon roll away. waited and waited. Would no enc ever come2 If Mrs Hicks could not come. why did she not send Vllsie heard footsteps.
 "Mr. Barker"