Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-08-16

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II was Stockings amusement t
gather these curositics In his moody
rambles, and II was Miss Laport's mel
ancholy delight to arrange them where
the electric light played fantastic
tricks with them at all hours Under
the awning which on one side Of The
little house offered a protection from
the light, sat Miss Laport and Lieut.
Stocking. At a short distance on tho
same side were two other and similal
abodes, one Of which was given over tc
the lieutenant and Calicot; the other
connecting with Miss Laports by d
latticed alleyway, wasin possession Of
the doctor, Miss Endcott having d
room in Miss Laport's establishment
"Now that you have told me about
your father, Miss Franklin, said Lieut.
Stocking, "and there is nothing TO pre-.
vent You both from leaving this place
why do you oturge him togo at oncci
Mr.. Calicot asked me to speak TO you
seriously about itand impress you with
the urgency of it,
"Nhy should he be anxious about it?
asked the girl.
ale has made up his mind about the
result of the conflict and he fears II
you delay much longer you will not be
able to get away at all.
"And your said the girl with real
solicitude.
"Im in Calcot's hands. suppose
we shall be liberated at some time He
seems to think So"
"You appear to admire and trust him
very much"
Eyes. wish could get you to trust
him. lie says you ought to go away at
once, Shall | tell you what he said
to mco'
Eyes. Do
at was this; Stocking, he said, you
can get Hendricks pcrnissi N to take
that old man and his daughter out II
you will give your word Of honor not
to bctray his retreat and to return.
You could then put them in boat and
help them to cross the Mississippi.'
why | asked, are you so anxious
to get them out?
81 want to save them, he said.
But You do not care to save me, |
objected.
"'Ycs,' he said, If You follow my
plan it will save YOU
"'Then nm rot to return
"'Ycs.you arc. You must come back.
Eut it will take you two days.
"'To come back here Is not to be
saved | said. 'You will have to ex-
plain yourself.
Yes said the girl, with interest.
"Did he cxplain?'
"No He merely said. 4 wish you
would take my advice
"'You are frank with me- I OK
claimed.
'Ify you will do as bid you he re-
piled, everything will explain itself
ind we shall all be released"
"rhen why not do it?' asked Miss
Laport
"lIecause I have to pledge myself to
give up liberty and you, and come
back to this tomb to be buried alive.
Do you think that an easy mattcr2"
"And yet you say you trust your
friend. Now would obey him i'm
plicitly and trust him If knew him as
well as you do
"Yes,' said the lieutenant. ut Is
characteristic Of a woman. But | am
u mana helpless one"
Twenty minutes later these two
young people had taken the train and
got off at the platform in the rotunda
1t was Miss Iaport who first discov.
cred Calicot standing in pensive at
titude, and, with u sudden burst Of un-
selhshness, she said; "There is your
friend now. Why not go to him and
prove that you trust him? | am going
to leave you together and go back
with the doctor"
Stocking was disinclined to accede
to this request, but Miss Laport was
pleasantly firm and, few moments
later, he had Joined Calicot' The first
thing he said, rather grimly, was.
"'rhere Is murder going on over
head"
"Yes," replied Calicot "That is tho
name for war when we are not in II. "
The two men walked side by side
through the exit of the rotunda until
they came to the lake, where at inter
walls there was q natural bench Of satin
spar, very pure and beautiful in the
electric Highland here they sat down.
"Calicot," said Stocking, ~ give you
credit for too much manliness to lose
your vindictiveness under pleasant
treatment and for too much good
sense to be overthrown by the mag
nihcence OF q sophism when 1t is put
into execution"
Quite right, replied Calicot, "You
willlive to see that my opposition to
Hendricks and his conspiracy is much
deeperand broader than yours With
you it is an impulse. With me it is a
cool conviction, Your impulse prevents
you from admiring his skill My con-
viction will enable me to thwart his
purpose"
III thought you could without being
traitor to your conscience, would
place myself underyour orders and ask
no questions" said Stocking.
~ was going to ask you to do that"
There is only one reason why |
should,' Stocking said.
"What is that?'
miss Franklin has asked me to-"