Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-01-20
CHAPTER XXI.
FLIGHT AND PURSUIT.


narrative. many details must be OMIT
ted. The stress and suspense of the
situation at which we have now ar
rived in its progress are acting upon
me somewhat as the real scenes OF
thirty years ago affected me, and
must go rapidly forward to the close
It NAV therefore be said that the skill
and management of LIE Fevre. with the
friendly aid of the house servants, put
in successful operation the initiative
of the plan of escape that he had de-
vised. A little after midnight Coralie
and ! were in carriage that had been
brought by roundabout plantation
road some distance above the honse.
lie Feyre took the reins. and drove
rapidly toward Donaldsonville.
lie had Judged rightly rs to what the
occupation OF Conrad l:ostock and his
boon companions was likely 10 be on
this night A good account OF their
roysterings. and of the manner III
which Coralie's fight was discovered.
WINS afterward furnished to me by one
Of the negro women who listened in
trepidation ut the parlor door. anxious
for some hint as to what was TO oe-
come Of herself and 1.-The people OF
the plantation. The negroes had heard
the ruinor that the new NAUSEA IN
tended to sell them all, and let the
plantation to some one who could
stock it: and Bess was endeavOring to
secure early information OF his real
designs.
The new proprietor had discovered
the repository of the wine. and dozen
dusty bottles had been brought up.
When sufficient of their contents had
been drunk to make the party merry.
cards were produced, and gambling
commenced. There seemed to be plenty
of money among them, and the game
was continued with varying success
till midnight. when Conrad was largely
the winner.
The bottle had circulated freely. and
the depraved men were ready for any
thing that would yield new excite
ment.
1.-Two thousand dollars against that
girl" Gardette shouted.
Done" said Bostock.
The cards were dealt. and the others
stood close by the table to watch the
game. Gardette lost.
Another chance! he demanded.
YES" said the winner.
This time Gardette won:
The girl is mine" he shouted. ex-
ultingly.
We'll play again. Conrad clamored.
20. no. I'm content. You've won
enough. tonight, to stop"
You'll play again, the girl against
two thousand dollars. or you'll fight"
the other insisted.
Both were infiamed with wine, and
the excitement Of gaming, which is
greater than that of wine. Pistols
we're drawn. and one or both would
have fallen; but at this moment their
companions interviewed and persuaded
Ciardette, for the sake OF peace. to con-
sent to one more game.
II was played with the same stakes.
Gardette lost. With IN oath. he swal-
lowed another glass, and said:
This is q good deal like farce,
Con. Here we've been playing for the
girl for the last hour. and as the game
turns. you'll keep her But suppose
I'd won at the end?"
Then you'd take her
MAYBE you couldn't deliver her.
why not"
Il don't know: I'm only talking.
But | happened to think. while the
game was going on. and il was doubt.
full who'd he her master, what silly
lot we were 10 be playing for some
thing that none Of MS might ever set
eyes on again.
Now. Gardette. what the devil dye
mean"
only suspicion: that's all. Here
yon shut yourself mp with your friends
and enjoy yourself half the night, leav-
ing that long-headed overseer and that
hot-blooded young chap with him To
kick up all kinds of deviltrv with youI
people. You're a nice man to run a
plantation. aint you? You haven't
even asked where they've gone. Oh
whether they've gone at all or not
There's been time and chance enough
for them to run all your niggers to the
SwanDS.