Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-02

courage to go on now, and as he did not
wish to be questioned he rose at once,
resolved TO wait for Killey no longer,
but to proceed himself to the police
station.
On the steps of the inn, just inside
the porch, stood Alstair Grove. George
began to speak to him, but Grove,
pointing in front of him, Interrupted
with:
"Those fellows look as IL they were
coming here"
George locked across the market
place, already in deep shadow, and an
agonized cry of despair rose TO his lips.
For, advancing upon the inn. were four
constables and the chief constable,
the whole OF the local force,
and with them shRmbled Joe
KiIley, the cow-doctor, not knowing
whether to grin or whether TO hide
his bloated red face behind handker-
chief. They marched past group OF
fishermen, who regarded them with
silent wondsrment as they went by; just
behind, few Of the townspeope had
stopped to- stare after them; and behind
them all was the solitary figure OF
girl, standing rs motionless as statue.
This was Hattie. who, unknown TO
George, had been hunting for him up
and down town.
George knew well enough that the
constables advancing as steadily as
Fate, were coming for him, and hts firSs
impulse was to go and deliver himself
up. But glance upwards at the gaol,
No
been hanged for their crimes, cook all
his nerve away. His hand went 10 his
throat, and he felt il he were choking.
He seemed TO sec again a mRdman
standing over him and to feel rope
enclrcling his neck, as il had done In
the dark kitchen at Cushlabsg, and be
clutched at the nearest pillar for sup
port. There was an awful look OF hor-
ror on tho lads young face; he turned
his desperate eyes this way and that
for some means Of escape; finally, he
made wild spring into the market
place-.but stopped, Of his own accord.
At the same moment the chief con-
stables hand was laid upon his shout
der"
"You are my prisoner, George Vane,"
said ne in his pitiless way.
At the touch of human band George
pulled himself together. 1t seemed to
give him fresh strength.
why" said be. What have l
done?"
1.-The charge will be read to you at
the station" was the response.
George faltered again.
Cant you go on in front?" he plead
ed. "Wil you let me come behind
some distance behind? ! give YOU my
word will follow. 1t would be dread
full TO walk through the town as pris-
oner."
The constables smiled, as much as to
say we know better than that,
Then, Grove" said George, turning
desperately. do you mind coming with
me-just walking by my side-as far as
the gate"
But Grove pleaded urgent business,
and went hastily into the inn and called
for brandy and soda.
After that. George submitted to his
fate. The constables formed around
him, two in front and two behind, with
the chief constable on the left and Joe
Klley on the right, and so they march
ed back across the market-place. What
that great huiking brute Kiley wanted
in such company goodness only knows,
but there be was, moro than half drunk,
throwing out his legs as he had seen
soldiers do in marching.
All this time Hattie had stood with
out stirring. But wnen she saw them
coming towards her. George prisoner
in the centre. his face as white as the
foam and his lips Quvering, her feel
ings overpowered her, and, without
thought OF anything but the present,
she ran breathessy to where the fisher
men were gathered around Ben Fayie,
who had Just come into the town with
a curl of Holsters on his back.
"Oh, Ben, save hint" cried Hattie,
her beautiful face al drawn with her
torture. Don't let them take him. You
are big and strong, Ben; oh, do help
him now"
The hard look in Ben's face grew
harder at that cry, and there was not
man In the group whose muscles did not
tighten. But all waited for Ben-Ben
the Counsellor, whom they regarded as
q sort OF leader-to speak. They had
not long to wait He turned to the
chief constable, who was by this time
almost abreast OF the party, and said
stlfly.
Leave him alone, Greer" that was
the chief constable's name. "Let him
go, will you! What harm has he doneP"
And Greer, swelling with Importance,
just as stiffly:
"You mind your own business, Ben
Fayle."
In the twinkling of an eye Ben had
slipped out of his creel. Swinging 1t
round to give it impetus he brought it
down with all his might upon Creer's
head, and so well was the blow aimed
that the cree fitted nicely upon the
constable's shoulders, while around him
fell masses of wet seaweed and great
numbers of Holsters which set to work
clawing one another as soon as they
touched the ground.
The suddenuess of the attack took
the constables by surprise. But quick
ly recovering, they drew their slaves
nd closed around the prisoner, while
tIley, maneuvring behind them. made
brave show with his big fists. Greer
as not long in extracting his head
ON the creel: when be- mad done that,
foundered back through the Holsters
his own party. After that there was
pause, halt for clenchihg fists and
,htening sinews, each side facing the
her with but a pace or two between.
hen Ben Fayle. with glance round
see that Hattie had drawn back to 6
ace OF safety, shouted 10 voice
at could be heard ali over the market
ace