The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-16

your worthless villains to eternal pun
ishment, and, if the Sheriff does not
arrest you Immediately, I will shoot
! you dead!'
every well, then, let him come; but,
I warn you. he cannot touch mel"
AS Williams advanced toward this
strange, unknown man, he suddenly
disappeared, and the lights went out.
CHAPTER ~.
The unknown had disappeared,
where and how could not be discov-
cred.
The party soon left the SOON to re-
turn to the released prisoners.
A litter was hastily made Of pawpaw
bark, on which Farmer Jones was CAR
ried to his home. It was very late be-
fore they reached Farmer Rice's home,
and only to find it dark and empty.
Mrs. Jones had persuaded her neigh
Dor to remain with her until the "men
folk" returned. Mr.. Jones was carried
bv four of the party to his house, while
williams and young Jones remained
with sad, lonely Farmer Rice.
DO 1Ou 1CSl oU1OuS CAOuSo A0WD
neighbor, to hear some news?"
II guess so; but it depends very
much upon what it is. I am not
strong enough for very heavy bur
den."
eyes, see; but you must know this,
which T wish to tell you; nothing has
proven very serious yet, except, I fear,
L 1st3Jo
"Whatl Ny boy! Is my child still
in the power of that villain?"
eyes, my friend, she is"
John then related all that had hap
pened during the day and that evening.
The poor old man shook with emo
tion, while the hot tears coursed down
his honest, rough, sun-burned cheeks.
Johnny, my boy, may God bless and
keep you'll You have not only saved
my life but your fathers and brothers
also. You have lessened our enemy
by three, and I know you have done all
you could to save my pretty, sunny
haired child"
Eyes, friend, I did all that I could.
A deep, sad sigh escaped the old
mans lips; and then, in murmured,
Iaddened tones, half to himself, half to
,ur Creator, with his hard, bony hands
,lasped in pleading pity, he raised his
lull, dark eyes to heaven; the moon,
BY this late hour high up among the
aow dim stars, shone down upon him
n his sorrow with mellow light, as if
IN respect for the lonely old man.
GEo&hor hoVya mol
store me my child! She whom you
gave me, fifteen long years ago, is now
the light of my life. Have mercy, I
pray thee"
He sank, limp and powerless, upon
moss-covered knoll, near the veranda,
while above his head, swayed to and
fro by the gentle spring breezes, hung
the white snowballs and red roses.
Johnny, if she cannot be found [ am
afraid it will be much the worse for me"
"Neighbor, believe me, I am as sad
as you. I suffer more, now that she is
gone, than words or pen can tell. She
was my hope, my happiness; now life
is void. If she cannot be found shall
not remain here, but go far away. ]
shall return to the West"
"Ah, Johnny, you loved her, too; !
thought so."
Just then they heard Mrs Rice COM
ing up the long gravel-walk, pale and
trembling.
"Ah, Cristo, my dear, good nan, you
are, I thank God, restored to me alive,
but where is little Lina?" She sighed,
and looked hesitatingly into her hus-
bands sad, pale face.
90, see by your looks, she is lost"
She then threw herself in his arms,
and the two silver-sprinkled heads
rested on each others shoulder, while
sobs of sorrow burst from their lips.
and tears of anguish dropped from their
sad, sunken eyes.
At sunrise, on the following day, the
Sheriff and his party were to meet John
in the thicket, and start in search OF
the secret hiding-place of Swarthy Jim.
Just as the sun peeped from the eastern
horizon a shrill, sharp whistle rang
through the woods, which was answered
Immediately, only few rods off.
IlellO, oOutJ lOM Oo Ou leS1 VGlS
morning2 Fine, hope; this IS cap
ital air to hunt thieves in, tell you.
But, T say, how do you feel?"
Gall right, thank you. But let US
proceed Immediately down stream to
The tree which you marked yesterday"
Gall right; are you we'll armed?"
@Yes."'
@You see, if the girl is there, and
they are not willing to give her up, we
must take her by force"
The poor little girl, if they had but
known it, was then miles away.
Every well, Williams; I could send
them all to rest with very good grace,
but I am afraid we are too late"
Keep up courage, Jones; it is more
than probable that we shall find her,
and hope before very long"
ayes, God grant it."
"Come boys; not word from one of
you, and no noise"
In about half an hour the party
reached the place on the bank of the
creek where Jim and his accomplice
had been overheard the day before by