The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-09-13
Copyrighted by The Constitution.

CHaIIElC N1II.-(CCnUnucu.J
After some consideration he resolved to
seek Jim Hooker, who might be possessed
of some information respecting Susy's rela-
tions-either from the young girls own
condolences or from Jim's personal knOwl-
edge of the old frontier families. From
sense of loyalty to Susy and Mrs. Peyton
he had never alluded to the subject before
him, but since the young girls own indis-
erection had made it matter of common
report. however distasteful it was to his
own feelings, he felt he could not plead
the sense Of delicacy for her. He had
great hopes in what he had always be-
ieved was only her exaggeration of fact as
well feeling. And he had an instinct
I've reliance on her fellow poseur's ability
TO detect it. A few days later, when he
found he could safely leave the rancho
alone, he rode to Fair Plains.
The floods were out along the turnpike
road, and even seemed to have increased
since his last journey. The face of the
landscape had changed again. One of the
lower terraces had become a wild mere of
sedge and reeds, the dry and dusty bed Of
q forgotten brook had reappeared, full
banked river, crossing the turnpike and
compelling long detour before the travel
er could ford it. But as he approached the
Hopkins farm and the opposite clearing
and cabin of Jim Hooker he was quite un-
prepared for Il still more remarkable trans
formation. The cabin-a three-roomed
structure, and its cattle shed-had entirely
disappeared. There were 10 traces Or signs
of inundatiOn! The land lay on gentle
ACTIVITY above the farm and secure from
the effects of the flood, and a part of the
plowed and cleared land around the site of
the cabin showed no evidence of overflow
on Its black upturned soil: but the house
was gone, Only a few timbers, too heavy
to be removed the blghting erasons of "A
few months OF occupation, and the dull,
blackened area OF the site itself was to be
Seen. The fence alone was intact
Clarence halted before il, perpexed and
Rstonished. Scarcely two weeks had elaps-
ed since he mad last visited it, and sat be-
meath its roof with Jim, and already its
lew ruins had taken upon themselves the
look OT years OF abandonment and decay.
The wild land seemed to have thrown off its
yoke of cultivation Ill Il night and nature
TioteG again With all its primal forces over
the freed soil Wild oats and mustard were
springin& already III the broken burrows,
and rank vines were slinily spreading over
q few scattered but still unseaSoned and
sappy shingles Some battered tin cans and
fragments OF old clothing looked as remote
as II tLey had been relics of the earliest inn
migration.
Clarence turned inquiringy toward The
hopkins farmhouse across the road. His
arrival, however, had already been noticed
rs the door of the kitchen opened i'll an i'll
uclpatory fashion and he could see the
slight figure of Phoebe Hopkins in the door
way, backed by the overlooking head and
shoulders of her parents. The face of the
young girl was pale and drawn with anx-
iety, at which Carence's simple astonish-
nent took a shade of concern.
Il am looking for Mr.. HOOKER" he said,
civ N,,I Il
find either him or his house."
And you don't know what's gono of
him. said the girl quickly.
No, haven't seen him fO- two weeks"
There! 1 told you so,' said the girl,
turning nervOusly to her parents. Il knew
1t! He hasn't seen him for two weeks"
Then looking almost tearfully at Clareace's
face, she said: No more have We"
But, said Clarence, impatiently, "some
thing must have happened-where is his
house?'
Taken away by them jumpers" inter
Tupted tho old farmer, "a lot of rOughs that
pulled it down and carted it of in jiffy
before our very eyes without answcrin' IL
civil question to me or her. But he wasn't
thcre-nor before-nOr since"
No. added the old woman with flash
Ing eyes, ''or he'd let em have what thar
was in his six-shOoterS."
No he wouldn't, mother" said the girl
impatiently. He'd changed and was agin
ell them ideas of force and riotin'. fIe was
for peace and law all the time Why, the
day before missed him he was tellin' me
California never would be decent until DeO-
ole obeyed the laws, and the titles were set
tied. And for that reaSon-because he
wouldn't tight agin the laW-Or without the
consent OF the law, they've killed him, or
kidnapped him away" The girls lips quv-
cred, and her small brown hands twisted in
the edge of her bue-checked apron. Al
though this new picture OF Jim's peaceful
ness was astounding and unsatisfactory
as his own disappearance, there WAS no
doubt of the sincerity OF poor Phoebe's i'm
preston.
In vain did Clarence point out to them that
there must be some mistake; that the tres
passers-thc So-called Jumpers really be-
longed to the same party as Hooker. and
would have 10 reason to dispossess him;
that in fact they were all his tCIarence's
Rockers perfect security in possession,
that he could have driven the intruders
away by the simple exhibition of his lease,
Oh that he could have even called Il consta-
bic from the town Of Fair Plains TO protect
aim from mere laW2esSncSS. In vain did he
assure them Of bis intention to ind his
missing friend and rcinstate him at any cost.
The conviction that the unfortunate young
man haG been f0uily dealt with was fixed III
tie minds of the TWO women. For mo-
mcnt Clarence himself was staggered by It,
You see" said the young girl with a
rindling face, the day before lie came back
from Robes. they were some queer men
hangin' round his cabin, but as they were
the same kind that went eff with him tie
day the Sisters Title WAS confirmed, we
thought nothing Of it. But when he came
bacl. from you he seemed worried and any
ious and wasn't Il bit like himself. we
thought perhaps he'd got into some trouble
tL,.rr. or been Disappointed Re hadn t
had he Mir Brant?' continued Phoebe with
az appealing look.
NV ne means" said Clarence warmly.
"On the contrary, he was able TO do his
mi in What he attempted. Mrs. Ieyton
Was was very grateful. OF course he told YOU
what had happened and what he did Tor
us.' continued Clarence with a smile lie
had already amused himself on the way
with n fancful conception of the exagger-
ated account .gim had given of his exploits,
bnt the bcwildered girl shook her head.
NO, he didn't tell us anything" Ciar-
ence was really alarmed This unprece-