The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-13
CHUB.
Romance Of West Virginia.
BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XII
ANOTHER SURPRISE.
WELL" said Tom Biggers, "this IS the
gaul-darndest idee out yet"
II can't understand it," said Hank
Dawson.
II do dad"
Club spoke cheerily. 1t was wonder
3ul the pluck Club Dawson displayed
Nothing could dash her bright spirits.
Although upward of forty-eight hours
had passed since she had seen her be-
trothed-he had met her at neighbor's
the morning of the day set for their
wedding-although everybody gave Dan
Bash up for dead, or worse than dead II
living, Clubs faith in him, her belief
In his restoration to her, was not lessened
an iota.
dad! we're all wrong. Maybe it isn't
as we'd a right to think. Maybe some
thing else has happened to Dan. The
Monks maybe amt in it at all-or, least
ways, believe SQuatty don't know just
now any more than we do. Say, Squatty,
where's the rest Of your gang?"
swell, I suppose Ned and Bill will be
nigh your house now"
sWhat are they doing there?" de.
snanded Hank Dawson, fiercely.
20! don't you make any mistake, Mr..
Dewson. Nobody would go to your
house to touch hate. You might hang
all you've got on your fence and none Of
the Monks would come nigh it"
Il believe you," said Tom Biggers
Erimly. you'd rather tackle locomo-
Il ye with full head Of steam on"
"Well, what are they over at my place
1or?n
, ~Why-didn'tI just tell you"
Speak out"
They've a notion maybe Dan Bash
would be making for your house."
SWELL? What then?"
70, dad! Don't you see? Why, the
Monks would catch him and do some
thing with him"
Kill him, do you mean2" asked Tom
Bggers
. mo! They're so mad at me, it would
do them more good to keep him some
where and torment him. That's more
like the Monks. Amt that what they
were after, Squatty?" Club asked
hneW IL, QaNr". -. F.~V@>o
X There WAS 4 brief silence after this
confession, extorted from squatty's
trembling lips. The trio looked at the
trembling wretch, then at each other.
, Poor sauatty's hands were shaking
-moY Ike those of paralytic; ::
-EEf guess we've got all he's able to tell
rus, said Hank Dawson g!oomily. what
will We do next, Chub?"
-In the first place, dad, let us decide
what we'll do with Squatty."
my God! you won't do nothin' to me
4 couldn't help it. They made me do it.
a'd get shot in my tracks if l didn't do
laS they told me-"
, "Ssop your whining" said Hank Daw-
son. "It's pity the Almighty lets such
carrion as you live. You're no more &C
count than q crow-you're durn sight
1neaner."
Il know I am, said Squatty.
Shut up!" exclaimed Tom Biggers,
angrily.
II tell you what, dad" said Club.
LET us send Squatty on ahead Of US.
Just the same as II he'd not been inter-
Tered with. Then we'll follow, and go
<an to the Corners, and maybe We'll meet
the Monks They wont want to fight
you, reckon.
what If Squatty tells about meetin'
u.s."
II won't--I swear I. WON'T" said
Bquatty.
.Let him." said Club contemptuous'y.
'~Let him, il he dares, break his word to
me-"
II won't-I won't, Club"
, ~Of course you won't" said Tom Big
gers. you'd best say your prayers if
you do"
Il don't exactly follow your idea,
Club" said her father, "but guess you
know what you want. You just mean
that this hound is to be let 20, and join
the gang of cutthroats that he belongs
10, and we're to spy on them, instead Of
them takin' US unawares.
That's it, dad"
That's all right You can 60, Squat
ty-git out.
-Yes-light out, ;" said Tom Biggers
@Not yet, Squatty," said Club, in
warning tones; you've found ways to
obey the Monks. If you don't find way
to let us know just where the gang is
by 10 o'clock-mind, that's six or seven
hours yet-plenty Of time to get around
If you don't let me know where the
gang is, or the Monks at least-look out
ior trouble"
@Ill mind you Be sure III let you
know"
The next moment SQuatty hurried off
IN the darkness.
I'm most sorry I didn't let tie dog
follow him." said Tom Biggers.
"A bargains bargain" said Club
Not with that gang" said Tom Big
gers. II wouldn't believe one of them
not If the rope was around his neck, and
his legs in the grave"
Whereat Hank Dawson coughed. It
was the first sign of change in his mood.
His ferceness had evaporated.
Lord! Did any one ever see such
coward as that poor fellow"
II don't think he is a bit worse than
the Monks, dad. Did any one ever
know them to show fight unless there
were two or three of them together"
As nobody had, there was no more to
be said on that subject
"Listen," said Tom Biggers. THAT'S
him breaking his way to the road"
I'm not so sure about that" said
Club, as she inclined an ears. dad,
don't that sound seem 10 come from be-.
low, instead of above?" ..S--e---..
) ut does, Chub." ''1~
Y @Let's 60 back on the road quick as We
Han."
They were already in their saddles
.-o;n. uon1, nou-cnp had hold tho nipo