The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-26
CHAPTER XIV.
TROUBLE BREWING FOR GAppLEh


TROUBLE BREWING FOB GADpLEh
It did not take Charley Baker three
seconds to decide upon his course.
"You will realize, Mrs Cotter, after
what you have told me-" he FASTENED to
add, "that cannot leave this place un-
til Mr.. Wynans and his betrothed have
been freed from the hands of their
enemy"
"Oh, certainly"
"Then, too, have q little account OF
my own to SETTLE" pursued Baker.
AFTER our terrible fight Of yesterday,
Colonel Whipsaw and were pursued q
score Of miles by Sam Gaddler and his
ruffians, and barely escaped with our
lives We were hunted so closely, in
fact, that We got separated, and have
been looking several hours In vain here
abouts for the Colonel, it having been
understood that he would make his way
In this direction If he should succeed in
throwing off his pursuers."
"Perhaps he's killed, SIR"
"It's only too likely" admitted Baker,
aas they were close at his heels when I
last saw him, but I will hope for the
best. Can't you introduce me into this
house without my being seen?"
Certainly" answered the woman,
after sharp look around.
sand what shall We do with the
horse?"
@I'll take him to the stable and give
some explanation Of his presence. can
say that he has thrown his rider, OF
otherwise made his escape, or can pre-
tend to have picked him up on the
prairie without knowing anything about
him. Leave all that to me-"
THANK you, madam. And now con-
trive to smuggle me into the house."
This way, then.
There was no difficulty in the matter,
as the event proved, and Baker soon
found himself in possession of one OF
the front rooms Of the dwelling, with
An excellent supper before him.
He had barely made amends to his
stomach for its privations during the
day, when bib kind entertainer came
hurrying back to him She was In .
futter Of excitement
~Quick, Mr.. Baker!" she cried sYou
must go into hidingI Mr.. Gaddler and
his prisoners are eoming!s =
She waved her hand toward one OF the
windows Offering him pocket glass,
and Baker hastened to look out
1Sure enough" he muttered, his gaze
resting upon q considerable body OF
horsemen that were approaching, less
than q mile distant u can make them
out! There's barely time for me to beat
q retreat to the room you have placed at
my disposal If should have urgent
need of your advice or assistance, for
myself or my friends, will hunt you
up later"
ut is all understood, SIR" said Mrs
Cotter, with q sigh of relief. @Permit
me to make last request, however.
At whatever moment you may leave the
house, or in whatever way, beg you
to remember that wish to depart with
you"
II won't forget you" assured Baker,
with kindly respect "You will Of course
keep an eye on the prisoners, helping
them in any way you can, but you need
say nothing about my presence"
Nodding understandingly, Mrs Cotter
hurried away In the direction from
which she had come, while Baker pro-
ceeded to the quarters she had assigned
him. and which were naturally-at his
been put In order for the expected ar
rivals. ... .ss
As he had duly foreseen. he found
himself in the first OF handsome suite
Of apartments.
aHere." he said to himself, after a
.,fance at the handsome furniture, -.
cludIng bed In one corner, @will be
lodged Mr.. Wynans"
He crossed the apartment to an open
door which seemed to invite attention,
ind looked into q large and airy room
beyond, which was furnished with taste
full elegance.
sAnd this,n he concluded after keen
but rapid survey, "will be given to the
see there are two OF them"
BE referred, Of course, to Ellie Tower
and Mrs. Rankle
After carefully noting his surround
ings, he took an extended stroll through
the palatial mansion, occasionally taking
o glancs at the newcomers from
Returning in due course to the suite
assigned him he waited with what pa
tience he could for the developments OF
the drama in which he was figuring.
His patience had become well-nigh eX-
hausted, and he was even beginning to
TO fear that something had gone wrong
when footsteps and voices resounded on
the principal staircase, and Sam Cad
dler threw open the door leading into
the suite and entered, followed by his
prisoners.
He was covered with dust and travel
stained, as we'll as greatly fatigusd. but
In what merry and jubilant mood he
was! His entire visage was picture Of
sinister jubilance.
aWell, we'll, Mr.. Wynans" he was
saying, u consent to your remaining
near the ladies, but you must compre.
bend that none Of you are to leave these
rooms without permission. To do 80
will be to run the risk of being shot by
couple Of my men, who have already
been posted on the landing. You under.
stand the matter?"
aPerfectly, was Perry's quiet answea
aAs to the ladiea" pursued Gaddler
athey cannot fail to be pleased with the
adjacent apartment 1t Is one I have
had fitted up In the latest style for Miss
Daisy Skidder, who is about to become
my wife, and 1t is needless to say that ]
have not counted the dollars expended
upon it,
he threw wide open the door Of the
room in which Charley Baker had so
lately taken refuge, and even glanced
within 1t, to assure himself that his
housekeeper had duly executed his
orders.
Fortunately Baker was ready for sach
an emergency, having slipped into one
OF the capacious closets adjacent
H., LvGo ool hro porD1o