Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-24

Few minutes later they found four
horses, the best the establishment furnish
ed IN waiting, and the captain turned up,
eiinNing and growing, but sober. The
Iourth man or the party was Tennessee
an, whom Hendricks called Ben-a long,
TANK, determined mountaineer, with a
hatchet face and tangled sand-colored
hair. He had a carbine slung across his
shoulder, and he was holding an extra
horse with a side saddle and basket
strapped upon it.
Hendricks looked at Fenning and. seeing
ms surprise, Said II don't explain because
l don't know myself. Wen be governed
by circumstances. I'll tell you more as we
go along. Come"
Ben did not know the country any better
than did Hendricks. They took to the
woods and went north, Hendricks and Fen
nlng riding on either side of the captain,
ana Ben following at some distance behind.
II was some time before they reached an
open country, and rough as it was they
galioped away and soon left Ben far out Of
sight.
You are going to the Laran house." said
Fenning. who had recovered his spirits.
Yes. replied Hendricks. Have you
OWNED the rest?'
Wait, l hardly know myself
II was 10 o'clock when the party having
toiled slowly up long ACTIVITY, came out
upon a wooded brow of the hill looking
eastward. 1T was magnificent stretch of
country. and 1t was radiant with the morn
through his glass.
If you follow the top of that stone ledge
10 the second green line of hills, and look
petween those two rounded knobs, just
under that white cloud that hangs down
ike a teat, you will see the Laran CHM
ney And Hendricks handed the glass
to Fenning.
Yes, l can see it," said Fenning ..tIo,,,
far is it?'' -io"
", approximately four miles and a half
we can get within pistol shot of the house
from thls direction. L know every turn in
the way. Well wait here for Ben. get a
bite and drink, take the extra horse and
ieaVe MN here to wait for U.S."
A., II was IL O'Clock before Ben came up. and
.ne captain was the most impatient of the
Partyp out Hendricks beguiled the time in
telling Fenning some of his earlier eye
rlehces IN the place. and Jennings remark
as the narrative ended was: We'll.
wouiunt doubt that woman. either. But
you never can tell what a woman will do -
Al half-past IL Hendricks and Fenninp
with the captain between them set off in
lne direction of the Laran house Hen.
orlcks leading the extra horse
rms part of the way was by all odds the
MOST olTncult of any. AS they descep6ed
INTO the valley they had to skirt n urimnvaI
morass, It's pools inhabited BY millions of
wa But Hendricks Knowledge of
tne country enabled him to pick his vav
through the labyrinth and about O'Clock
ne SAID, as he reached an almost in,nen
,etrabie covert and dismounted, DO Won
Fenning looked about him and sboolr bic
head. ~ ''iooA HIS
But the captain recognized the Mace.
tanning his eyes, he remarked mat he
times. huiiui Gu
50 has Miss Endcott," said Hendricks
come again" S"e III
Hendricks fastened his horse and beck
oned to Fenning. who stepped aside out Of
sight of the captain VI
A Few PAGES away and covered with
prambleS there was smooth crown of
rock hendricks parted the brush. got dow n
on MS knees and searched a moment with
MS hands. He then took small stick and
jug the dead leaves out of a depression in
'he rock and put his ear to the spot
20 T 2us. listen there a moment" he said
10 Eennlng as he got up.
What is it?' asked Fenniny vbo hoa
put ms ear down to the hole
the dynamo running underneath
II uirectly under our feet. ] bored that
mole nearly two years ago to see how thick
the crust was. In all l made about fifty of
tnem, but Laport stopped most of then,
because they leaked
I've I'VE are then within 200 feet Of the
mousse, said Fennng, with astonisbment
we are within twenty feet of the steel
renee. You can touch it If you 40 throurh
that Drush; so speak softly. 1t is tho wild
est spot IN the neighborhood. and to reach
us the inmates must come round from tlIe
entrance There is a corner of the road
visible from that opening I'm going TO
ask you to watch it. while give the can
tain his instructions"
Fenning took his place at the or,enirr
ana almost Immediately Said There's
somebody now"
Hendricks quickly used his glass. .It,s
Mrs. Hendricks and Calicot" he said
They are going for a ride and will Len
TO the road. There's only three of them
ieft and one of them is probably ON the
balcony. We have got to watt
W. he
whole hour passed, and the captain syyore
that four had passed, but Hendr,cjx;;' re-
peated injunction was: Have patience and
keep silent" 1t must have been , O'Clock
when, in a moment of silence ali three of
them heard a twig snap. and Hendricks
and Fenning put hands on heir revolyers
The next instant the green leaves we're
parted by pair of white hands AMI an
equally white face looked suddenly in upon
them, and it's eyes rested upon the clpta in
with look of dreamy hopelessness and
terror.
Miss Endicott," exclaimed Fenning be-
tween his teeth.
Hendricks, with a motion, babe him Re
silent.
The girl stepped into the center of the
little space, her eyes still fixed on the cap
tain.
What have you done with him." she
said
You are to go to him." said Hendricks.
There is your horse. Get upon it."
Yes she said 81 must GO
Get upon the horse" repeated Hen
bricks, imperativey, and he took her hand
She obeyed him passively Quick. now"
he said to Fenning 1--WE must get awav'"
What would you do?" asked Fcnning.
Il would conceal our retreat answered
Hendricks, in a hoarse whisper.
CTo be continued)