Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-09
,THESTORYOF ALOST SOUL
HuaH coLRMAN DAVIDSON.
Author Of THE GrssA HAiIs By the
Sea, ""Nota Moment to Spare"
THE Old Adam" &c.
Copyright. 1891. 81 Il. c. DdUidson.
CONTINUED.
CHAPTER Xxx.
~ COUNCIL OF w.

OlEs MOQiu never QAeAll OA C0ulluk 0AtcA
them until sOme time on the following
day-probably not before noOn-and
they would then be on board the lug
ger.
As they walked up the path, Ben e1-
planned 10 his companion the arrange
ment be had made with Hattie. he
appeared very we'll pleased with It and,
in spite OF badly swollen face, very
we'll satisfied with the result OF the con-
hict with the police. But George was
more doubtful. He had not realized
what he was doing or where he was go
ing; he had passed his own home as In
dream; out OF that dream he had not
fully awakened until be found himself
IN the glen. Ben's explanation put mat
ters in y clearer light. II made hun
think OF the consequences, and with re-
Election came fear.
He stopped suddenly opposite the hrst
cottage, Martha Coolies cottage.
II must go back, Ben" he said 10
frightened voice. ''If run away they
will say am guilty. The Innocent
don't run away. Ben, l must go back
81 once"
What for, thought" demanded Ben,
90 hard for nothing.
"To hear what they have TO say-to
meet any charge brought against me.
1t would be read GO me at the station,
the chief constable said. That is where
l must CO."
And DO you think, Mr.. George, when
once they get you inside they will ever
let you out again? For they won't, you
may take my word. It's too late TO 60
back; you must 20 forward.
George still hesitatsd. To tell the
truth, be did DO. know what 10 DO.
"But don't YOU see what am doing,
Benz" he urged. II am going TO
run-"
"Hushr interrupted Ben, standing
stil 70 listen.
The wind, blowing hard inshore,
poured through the glen as through a
funnel, and among the many noises
which were borne upon IL were the
sounds OF distant voices and hurrying
footsteps.
The lads are coming" said Ben.
And few minutes later about doZ-
en- young fishermen came racing up the
path, putting and blowing as II they
we're pursued by some fend.
Hello, Ben" cried one, you're not
long ahead of US, then. This is nice
scrape we're in. What will we do
nOw?"
"Stick 70 our guns" replied Ben.
when we can't fight, We can run
AWAY"
But where can we run TO, thought"
"Easy, lads, easy demonstrated Ben:
whats your hurry? We've got all
night TO think 10 over. II we can't tx
up some plan between US we'll deserve
to be beat"
After further discussion IL was settled
I that a council OF war should be held at
the weaver's cottage an hour later.
y The arrival OF the rest OF the party
put an end 70 any idea on Georges part
Yof an immediate return 10 the tOwn.
He shrsnk from any appearance Of de-
serting his friends, aud at any rate be
felt that be had better walt tor the de-
cision. So they all went forward to-
gether, dropping a 4Sn here aud there
At different houses sbng the path, until
At last only George and Ben remained,
An&-jhey entered the weaver's cottage.
Ben was never very communicative
70 his old father. He said nothing
about what had happened, and the old
man, sill working away a. his loom by
the dim light Of tallOw candle, was
too absorbed in his task, or perhaps in
his visions, 70 heed his son much or his
sons visitor.
Ben had already arranged the first
item 10 his programme. He fetched
salt herrings from barrel which stood
10 one corner, and fried them on a grid
iron over the fire. He set great pile
OF barley cakes upon the table, also
butter, jug OF cold tea, and all the
other requisites for meal Then he
invited his guest 70 eat, for" said Ben
the Counsellor, there's no knowing
how long it will be before you get the
chance again, aud YOU had better take
AZ while you have it," Ben, 10 is only
fair 20 say, backed up precept with eX-
ample, for he slowed away prod glOus
quantities Of barley cake, but George
was too excited TO do justice to the
meal
Eat, man, eat" Ben pleaded with
him quite patheticallY. Is the fare too
coarse for you, George? You'd have
relished q lobster better. What a pity
now l wasted them Holsters on the chief
constable. He'll pay me out for it,
though,n said be, when be had finished
laughing. Il know his nasty disposi-
tion; hen wicked dog, Greer. I'll war
rant he'll pay me out-when he catches
me-" And be lald a huger against his
nose and WinKed at George.
Upon the whole Ben Fdyle took his
escapade with surprising GOODNESS.
AT the appointed hour the fishermen,
with solemn faces, came trooping in and
ranged themselves on benches round
the walls OF the little cabin, where the
dense smoke of the burning peat almost
completely hid them from one another's
view. There was no laughter or loud
talk~-amOng them now; they had had
ti1s 20 calm down, aud their manner
showed that they felt the gravity Of the
situation. The loom was silent, Ben
having told his father that its groaning
you'd Interfere with the discussion
which they had on hand, but the old
man still sat in his usual corner, leaning
over his ricketty machine. For purposes
of ventilation the door was left open,
but the keen wind was scarcely felt in
side. for the entrance was blocked by 3
curious crowd, largely composed OF wO-
men. some Of whom thrust their heads
Ainto the room in their anxiety 70 learn
what turn events were likely 10 take.
Ben's proposal was that they should
Aold the glen against all corners. He
I'D that this they could easily do, and
went on TO suggest what be cOnSid-
ed the best way. Just above Martha
to1s cotta0a tha naSseue WAS avread-