Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-09
TriGdtOl HSLitG;;
WITHIN THE SHADOW OF THE
SCAFF0LD.
By MAJOR JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.
CHAPTER v.
A HIDDEN PLOT.

CHAPTER v.
HIDDEN PLOT.
Mr.. Ryder was at first perfectly dis
mayed by the calamity that appeared to
be impending. He lost all presence of
mind, and gazed blankly at the shut par
lor door.
Tie rustics sat and stood about, not ex-
actly comprehending the situation, but
knowing, from what they had heard and
seen, that somethiny serious was afoot
The sailor rose and buttoned up his
coat.
Goodnight to you all, shipmates," he
said. "It's high time / was back to the
boat.
The landlord rushed up to him and
seized him by the arm.
Il beg of you not to goat least not
lust yet--Mr. - Mr.. -"
Call me Ben Button, if you want a
name."
Don't go at present, Mr.. Burton.
There's hot blood, and cause for fight in
that room, and"
20, gammon!" laughed the sailor;
they'll jaw awhile and never hurt each
other. If they should, I'm not peace
officer. What business have / to med
dle?"
L want your help, Mr.. Burton. You
are seaman in his Majesty's service,
and have courage. Idon't lack it myself,
at a pinch, when it's needful; but there s
nobody here can depend on but you.
These fellows are the poorest kind of
sticks"
why, Lord love you, man, what's all
this to-do about2 Nobody's hurt yet, nor
likely to be-"
You don't know, Ryder energetically
answered. "You don't understand that
the two men in there are mortal enemies;
one of them on his way to marry the
baronet's daughter tomorrow night
the other, her desperate and reckless re-
jected suitor. You didn't know that2"
Yes, knew it; / learned that much
from the talk I've heard; but it don't
worry me much. I've seen young fellows
quarreling over a girl before, and nothing
worse ever happened than black eye.
Don't You get excited without cause, old
man.
II beg you to stay only fifteen minutes,
Mr.. Burtonl Something tells me that
you'll be needed here. My wife and chill
dren are in the other part Of the house.
don't want them disturbed--and can't
suffer the injury to my business and to
the good name of the Red Lion that
would be sure to come from bloodshed,
or worse.
@Bother!" replied the seaman, grufay,
with his hand on the door-lat Some
thing tells me that I'd better get back
hot-foot, to the place where I left the
boat; and there's kind Of whisper in
the ear of Ben Burton that, if he makes
Captain Atwell wait half o minute fol
him, there'1l be one able seaman on the
Hero on half-allowance for the next ter
days. So, good-by and good luck te
you. landlord and you, lubbers all.
He went out and closed the door be-
hind him.
Mr.. Ryder looked the picture of woe
and apprehension. He walked up and
down the tap, wringing his hands.
What shall do?" he exclaimed
What shall i dol"
The country fellows had no sugges.
tions to offer. Their dull brains hardly
comprehended yet what was threatened
A sound came from the parlor. At frs
it was barely audible; it was like voices
in conversation.
The sound rose higher. No words could
be distinguished; but the voices were
clearly pitched in a higher key. One fol
lowed the other; then both were raiset
together in angry speech.
The landlord walked up to the door
He knocked upon it, No notice was taker
of him.
The uproar Of noisy dispute broke ou
afresh. Again Mr.. Ryder pounded upoi
the door
Gentlemen, forbearl' he cried. I'D,
no violencel In the Kings name keel
the peacel"
ly u. - A. IL.
words. A clap Of thundeB at that momen
would hardly have disturbed the two in
side.
Reluctant to intrude, but fearful .
what might happen, the landlord liftet
the latch Of the parlor door.
The door refused to yield to his pres
sure. It was bolted on the inside.
The voices now rose SO high that Ry
der and even the idlers back in the tai
could distinguish The words.
I never didl 1t is falsel say neve
did!"
4 do you say SOP Then you are liar
as we'll as black-hearted villainl"
Poor fool! pass by your insults; yo'
are beneath my contempt.
a scuffie was plainly heard--the crasl
Of overturned furniture oaths and OK
clamations ending with heavy fall
Then there was silence.
The old soldierly spirit Of Richard Ry
der was aroused. The emergency calle,
him instantly to action. He snatched Vi
& the heavy iron poker from the chimney
side and called to the loungers to folloy
Fl him.
Come on!" he cried. There's murde
being done in there. We can get to then
blythe back door up from the beach.
He sprang to the door leading out fror
the top room 10 the front Of the house