The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-13

1Why, ChuD!
ats one thing to mee' chem at hom ,
another to fight them up here, where
they're at home, and you don't know
who you've got again you"
That's so, too"
Everybody would know who to 60 fol
to try in court if they came to you-uE
here, it's hard to tell each other. The
Monks would swear out of it."
THAT'S so, too"
II wonder if the dogs dead?" said Tom'
slowly.
The words were scarcely uttered when
Hero limped back to the spot they stood
on, whined, fell, and dropped in his
tracks.
Tom got off his horse and cursed as
roundly under his breath as il the ruff
fans had killed his dearest relative.
"Is he dead, Tom?"
"Dead as a stone. Now, then, you may
bet I'll get even with them as killed Hero
II have to hunt 'em ten years, I'll get
even with en-"
"Let US 20 back, dad" said Club.
The trio retraced their steps, but no
sound was heard. At one time Club
thought she heard moan, but 1t was
dismissed as idle fancy, and they
moved on.
Its no use, Club"
mo, see it isn't, father" said Club
sadly. II reckon we may as well give it
up now, and 60 after Squatty."
So they turned their horses heads
again and resumed their journey home
cautiously. They were on the lookout,
and rode along in silence, trusting that
fortune might enable them to hear or
see something that would assist them in
clearing up the terrible mystery that in
volved the fate Of Dan Bash.
But they were doomed to diSappoint-
ment They reached Hank Dawson's
without encountering anything unusual.
All was as 1t should be at Hank Daw-
sons.
They rode on to the Corners.
The morn was beginning to get gray
at this time. The Corners was as silent
rs the grave. Not a soul was in view.
So they turned over the sloping hill
side, and putting up their horses and
feeding them we'll, the party entered
Hank Dawson's comfortable home.
What picture was presented there!
The dishes prepared for the feast were
as they were left by the merrymakers.
Many of the rich viands were as yet un-
touched. The evidences Of grand frolic
were on every side.
This don't look much like o wed
ding" said Club as she made room for
Tom Biggers, "but you mark what tell
you. They'll be the jolliest time here
when Dan Bash gets back, as he's sure
to d."
aDon't talk that way, Chub," said her
father sorrowfully. :, -.
aWhy not dadP feel that way, and
I'm going to talk that way till Dan is
found, as he's sure to be soon."
Tell you what, Chub," said her father.
sLet's all go to bed for an hour or two
and begin again"
"After we get little to eat, dad. Nau
and Tom must be pecky, and ! know
I'll be the better Of a bite"
She busted herself, and while her
father made big blazing fire in a few
minutes, Club soon had a pot of tea
ready, which they all appreciated, and
after eating heartily they all retired for
an hour or two Of sound rest
AS Club lay sleeping she had strange
dream.
She thought she was walking on
bright morning along mountain path.
The path seemed natural at first, but as
Club strolled on she realized that it was
q strange freak Of nature.
1t was not path at ALL It was
channel cut in the rocks-a cleft. The
vines grew in tt; the sun shone straight
down in it, but she could not see on
either side. She could see the tops OF
the trees. She heard the birds clearly
felt the breeze blow her hair.
Then something seemed to hold her
there. She was unable to go forward or
back. She was paralyzed. She was
not afraid, however. She simply won
dered what was the matter. Then she
discovered suddenly that the vines
formed vast network; they held her
arms, her feet She was like one tied,
bound hand and foot. She could not
move finger. She was crying out for
help when she awoke.
"What is it, Chub?" 1t was her faith
er's voice calling her.
10! I've had such strange dream,
dad"
Then Club got up and dressed herself
with nervous haste.
hank rose at once too, and soon their
guest Joined them.
Awe had the strangest dream, dad.
I,know where Dan is now"
"Where is he, Chub?"
sHe's caught-he's held fast some
where. Them Monks, reckon, can tell.
Leastways we'll hunt 'em up, right
- o,,, on1 lyo fbar, fo1 IL
The breakfast was speedily prepared.
They were so anxious to resume the in
quiry that they ate sparingly. Then
they saw to their horses, and half an
hour later they were on the road, and
at the Corners.
The sun was hours high, and all was
hustle at the Corners, where Eli Potts
was waiting on his customers at the bar,
and his wife Susan was scolding her help
for not being able to wait on her Gus
toners as fast as breakfast was called
for. Many were late callers-sCcI
rush was never known at the Corners
Tavern before since Eli Potts took charge
of it.
As Club and her father rode up they
beheld number of horses and men near
the tavern. Chief among the group was
Ned Monk, and o little distance from
him was his brother Bill. A little fur
ther from the main group, Pete Monk
stood talking with Bob SQuatty. Be-
sides these three, there were one or two
others who were associates Of the
Monks.
The crowd werc talking Of the mys-
terious disappearance Of Dan Bash
Nobody made any pretense Of conceal