The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-10-23

iit1Lo At Ilids- Vi tiIIihCio anu 'tli-
die o. letters. and was telling the lovely
creature that wrote them the contents
of each. that she might have another
TEST OF his love. This pleasing task
finished. he trinkets and letters were
replaced in the bundle. and Mary, tax
ing piece Of blue ribbon from her
hair, tied the package securely and re-
turned it to her lover who carefully
deposited it in the box. Then. aware
of the latcness of the hour, Louis fitted
An oar between the sculling pins and
quickly sculled the boat to its usual
landing place.
Arm in arm they wend their way
slowly to Mary's home. The good
bye's are said. but leavetaking seems
to be fraught with sadness On the part
Of both.
Can it be the wierd and ghOstly
night on the lake has made their hearts
heavy and cast a gloom over farewell
which is only for a day? Or did they
see, and dare not tell the other of W hat
they saw. the shadows of men who
thought themselves hidden behind the
shade trees that lined the lane: Did
the presence of those men in such hid
ing places, at such a time, betOken
harm't to the lovers: If either thought
SO neither betrayed the thought by
word or look. A pressure of the hand,
allowing kiss, Il trembling good night. -
and the lovers parted, not for a day. as
each fOndly believed, but for years.
Years full Of sorrow and sadness-years
full of gloom and death.
Mary fingered on the threshold of
the door and by the light OF the moon
saw her lover disappear into the little
grove which grew between the two
forms. 1t was only few rods then to
his home. and he surely must reach it
in safety. Why not: Nothing yet had
harmed him and why should she think
there was danger in his pathway now?
Striving hard to throw OF! a nervous
ness that seemed to press upon her
heart. she shut tho door and retired to
he" chamber.
Louis had gone but a short distance
In the grove when two stout men
bounded from behind the trees. and,
quicker than it takes the pen to tell it,
they grapplcd with him. forced a gag
into his mouth. pinioned his arms be-
hind him. and then noiselessly hurried
him through the grove. past his home
where he could see the light in the
window. then across the fields to road
where Il wagon and two horses were in
waiting. Louis was made to take a
scat in the vehicle, and one of the kid
nappcrS sat by his side. and the other
caught up the reins and drove slowly
towards the east. He was informed
that if he kept quiet and made no eff
forts to escape. nor sought in any way
to give an alarm. and would promise to
not attempt to communicate with any
person. the gag would be removed and
his arms unpinioned. Believing his
only hope of escape was to gain
as much freedom as possible
Louis made the promise. He was
told he would not be harmed if he was
submissive and went quietly with them
wherever they desired. but at the first
attempt to break away or cry out for
help, or by look or sign to attract the
attention OF any person they should
meet on the road. or in cars or on boats.
lie would he shot. let the consequences
to them he what they might. They
would take ell risks.
Louis realized that he was in the
hands of desperate outlaws. Why he
vas in their hands and what was to be
done with him was a mystery so cum
ninwiy planned that not Il thread was
exposed that would aid him in unravel-
ling it. Perhaps they had mistaken
him Tor anOthcr.and When the mistake
was discovered they would let him go.
To all his inquiries his keepers gruIt'y
refused to answer. So Louis concluded
il would be wise to acquiesce to their
wishes and make np cutlery
After a day and 4 nights ride a halt
YVES made in Ii dense growth of woods.
AMI Louis was led to a large durout in
the side of hill Land compelled to take
up his abode there. From time to tims
he overheard enough of the convcrsa-
tioa which passed between TWO OF the
mcE TO learn that il was the desire OF :,
third. who seldom showed him
self. to keep the young man q
prisoner dntji the accomplishment
of certain purpose. but wha,
The purpose was Louis could not obtain
.hc least Initiation. One day the third
man brought Il sum of money. which
he divided between the two jailcrs
Hardly had the man disappeared be
fore his two associates were planning
how to &c. rid o. their charge withou,
the knowledge OF their companion
II was iinall y agreed that they should
take him to New York and ship him as
u deck-h and on some vessel bound for
some distant foreign shore.
They would thus get rid Of THEN
prisoner without further trouble tt
them. and. as FAR as concealing him
from his pu1'suers was concerned. thei,
plan was u better one than 10 keen
guard over him IN the cave. and they
could not see why the purpose OF hi:
Imprisonment could not be attained
just as we'll.
To suggest was to act. In anothe,
hour the team was ready. and the
thrse started on their Journey
Reaching lake port they embarked
OH a sailing vessel laden with grain
The lake trip consumed several days
and then nights ride and part of the
next day brought she party to the City
OF New York.