The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1894-01-16

had long journey before them on
the morrow.
Bat sleep was far from the little
woman's eyelids, and She lay awake
thinking of many things until at
last her quick ear caught the sound
of IS or 90 horses being ridden into
the yard before the house, and
springing from the bed she ran to
the window, and peeping out saw
the men of the afternoon dismount
and enter.
Soon a murmur of voices an.
nounced to her that parley was be
ing held in the room below, and q
fever to overhear what was being
said took possession of her. She
could see a figure pacing up and
down before the house, evidently on
guard, so thGt the congress below
must fear Interruption or capture.
She quietly opened the door and
stole down the dark stairs leading TO
the second floor, and which were un-
lighted, as was the hall below
She paused at the door under which
a glimmer of light told her was that
of the council chamber and listened.
mo, l will not have it. They are
my guests" said the voice of her
host, and q low murmur told that
the appeal to the laws of hospitality
had found answer in many breasts,
but tone that made her start took
up the question. 1t was that of a
neighbor of her own, man from
the east, but then this band mum
5ered members from every quarter.
well, boys, we're in this thing
for business and not sentiment, and
I happen to know that Arthur Shan
non carries over So, 900 in bills about
his waist in belt. "
The senior speaks truth. We are
engage in dis for de silvare, not for
2e fine talk and feelings. Eef dis
gentl'man has money, it is our bust
ness to TEX care of it for him, )" said
the sibilant tones of a Mexican.
1T will go to swell that little nest
egg-is not that what you people
say?-hidden down in the swamp"
There was a sudden exclamation
and a cry of The chief! the chief
as a man swung himself in at the
window opening out on the yard.
He had passed the sentinel with a
muttered signal word, and thus taken
his followers by surprise.
Mulrel, the celebrated robber
chieftain of the south before the
war, stood before them, his keen
black eyes glancing about him and
noting every face,
What is the dispute?" he asked,
and when Colonel Kenneth placed it
before him answered briefly: Hos
pitality protects him. Now, men,
there is more serious business before
us tonight The governor has of
fered $40, 600 reward for the betrayal
of the band, $40, 600 for me dead or
alive, preferably dead, and $1,000 in
gold for each Of you if taken sepa
rately.
He paused and looked about once
more; then, with his eyes narrowed
to mere lines Of lurid light, went on
And Fredericks has played the
Judas and sold us"
Every man leaped to his feet with
a deep curse and drew the knife at
his belt as if eager to draw it across
the traitors throat, but an uplifted
hand staid them.
He knows the hiding place of the
must be moved at once.
A member of the police of Jackson
gave me warming, and l rode hither
tonight, only an hour in advance of
the officers No time is to be lost. |
Select three of your number to go
with me to assist in removing the |
gold and plate-that will be enough |
the others will be advised of what |
we do later on. The rest, besides
the three, dispense at once to Your
homes or ride for Texas, as you
think there is or is not proof against
you. You all know how to commu,
nicate with me if necessary"
The three were hastily chosen, and |
the others went noiselessly out, the
figure in the hall shrinking behind
the door as it swung open. Armed |
then with lantern, Murrel and his
workmen stole across the plantation
toward the river, and after them
went, as stealthily as panther, the
But the rough ground
panied her feet, thrust only in bed
room slippers, and exhausted she
drew her dark wooden robe about
her and leaned against a tree, watch
ing still the dancing of the lantern.
Then the light sailed over the water,
and she knew the men were carry
ing the treasure out into the river in
4 skiff.
A dark object rose just above the
'ullen water, touched here and there
INTO blood by the light they bore.
and here the boat paused, and there
was a few moments silent work
hen three of the figures straight
,ned up in the vessel and took the