Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-04-19
A YANKEE IN GRAY
By CHARLES B. LEWIS CM. OUAD)
[Copyrisht, 1894, by American Press Associa-
 tion.1

i CHAPTER AA1N. 1 Uncle Ben returned to the house at midnight and found Marian anxiously waiting for news. Royal Kenton had | told him what to tell her, and while she was comforted in one direction she was frightened in another. If Kenton and Brayton had been followed over the mountains and blood had been shed, would the pursuit cease until they had been hunted down? If the man whom Uncle Ben had struck down in the dark ness was Ike Baxter, wouldn't his in- formation bring Captain Wyle and his company into the neighborhood at once; Provided it was not Ike Baxter at all, it certainly was an enemy of some sort, who would demand revenge. The out look was indeed an anxious one; but they could only wait and hope.
 It was well for the mother that she was too i'll to realize that anything un- usual was happening. The doctor had exercised his skill to no benefit, and though permitting Marian to hope that a favorable change might occur he re- alized that the chances of recovery were very remote. All that long night she lay as one sleeping heavily, and but for the many distractions the daughter would have noticed that the change was for the worse.
 Neither Marian nor Uncle Ben had reason to suspect that Mrs. Baxter had seen or heard anything that night, but she must soon know all. The girl had determined that Kenton should be brought to the house and cared for. The thought of his rude shelter, wounded and suffering as he was on that cold winter s night, almost drove her wild. It was hardly o'clock in the morning, and she had simply tasted breakfast, when she went out to Uncle Ben and said:
 II am ready to go and can't wait an- other minute. We will take some more provisions, but shall have Mir. Kenton brought to the house.
 What about dat woman?' he asked.
 "I don't care for her. If she doesn't like his being here, she can go."
 Jest look into her room, Miss Sun shine!"
 The door was ajar, while the woman herself was at the other house. There was bloody towel on chair, bloody water in a washbowl, spots of blood on a chair and on the floor.
 Tt looks as if some one had sought to murder her!" exclaimed Marian as she looked about in astonishment.
 II know what happened" replied Uncle Ben. Dat pusson 1 knocked in- ter de middle O last summer was Ike Baxter. He was follerin me from de house. Boat of 'em knowed what was up. He cum to arter bit an cum yere to hev his hurts tooken car of. I heard a noise bout daylight, all reckon dat was when he left.''
 I'm glad you didn't kill him, but expect Mrs. Baxter will now feel like taking revenge upon the whole house. hold. Let us be going"
 Half an hour later they were chal- lenged by Steve BIayton, who had al- ready prepared breakfast for tho wound ed man and was able to report that Ken ton had passed a comparatively comfort able night. He met them just outside the camp, and with a wink to Uncle Ben he said to Marian.
 ''Go right along Miss Percy; he un's heard yo'r voice and is waiting fur yo'. want tO epSdA d NO1 u UT t"O lO HCle Ben."
 What yo' want to spoke to me 'bout?" cautiously inquired the old man after they had walked away few steps.
 "Nuthin, yo' old son of Africa!" an- swered Steve. Don't yo' un know what longs to good manners? D. yo' reckon that gal wants anybody around when she fust claps eyes on the feller she loves like house atire and is gwine to marry arter this cussed scrimmage is over?''
 "Hu! I see!" chuckled Uncle Ben.
 "Of co'se yo' sees arter I has pinted out the way, but then yo' is only an ole nigger and can't be spected to hev any feelin's onless kicked by mule or licked by passel of guerrillas.
 Ben then told him of the discoveries made at the house and of his belief that his victim was Ike Baxter, and Steve looked very serious as he replied:
 Then yo kin bet we ar in fur red hot time! Ike Baxter will be back befo' noon with gang at his heels, and the chances ar that somebody will git shot!''
 At this moment Marian called to them, and as they entered the camp they found her dressing Kenton's wound and preparing for his immediate removal to the house. While the raiding party had stolen the horses, as before mentioned,