The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-10

4C1 oCASOS
II want those papers you have on you
person
@What papers?"
"The deeds of those wild lands on the
Musselshell."
The prisoner looked his captor sternly
In the face, seeking to read his inten.
tions.
aWhat is your idea?" he asked.
@My idea?" And Sam Gaddler laughed
tubilantly, motioning his followers to
fall back short distanca u will soon
tell you"
He lowered his voice to whisper, re-
suming:
SThose deeds not being on record, II
will be the simplest Of measures for me
to suppress them, and substitute
forged deed for them that will put me
IN possession of the property"
HAre you capable Of that act:"
sPerfectly, as you shall see."
sHow did you know that. the deeds are
on my person9"
. ~ was easy to guess the fact am.
frank enough to say, however, that
Jerry Skidder has telegraphed me oil
the particulars involved tn your trip to
Montana
Perry addressed few words to his
betrothed, with the intention OF mtti-
eating the sorrow she was displaying at
the misfortune by which they had bean
overtakc2,
IAnd now to hand cut the documents,
MI. Wynans,D added GaddleT, waving
his hand toward his followers II think
you will comprehend readily that resist.
ance Is out Of the question. You may be
sure that I shall not hesitate to use
force in case force is necessary"
There could be no doubt upon this
point, and Perry handed out the deeds,
with as much grace as he could master.
aThis is all very we'll, 30 far IS 1t
goes" muttered Gaddler, when he
had glanced at the documents. @But
there is another step to be taken I
want the S220, 900 you took from Jerry
Skidder before leaving Chicago
"That money, is mine, SIR"
II shall not waste words upon the sub
ject, you may be certain, said Gaddler,
menacingly. aMr. Skidder says the
money is bis, and has asked me to re.
cover 1t. The least reflection will tell
you that can do no less than accede to
his wishes Out with It'll"
The money was produced and Cad
dler slowed IT away in his pocket, with
with q jubilance he made no effort to
conceal. ,.-.
"Good," he said again. I'VE are get
ting on In the right direction. Is the
carriage going to answer our purpose,
Gilly2"
"You can take possession, sir"
Little more was said until the ladies
had resumed their places IN the vehicle,
with Perry and Baker, and the whole
party was in motion for the mines :
Fortunately we have not gone for
out OF our course" muttered Gaddler,
as he led the way jauntily at the head
of his men. ,aWe shall be safely ct home
in q couple Of hours, and can rest as
long as we please from the last three
days Of stir and worry.'
We need not pause upon'th attempts
Of the lovers to comfort each other
under the trying circumstancesin which
they found themselves. As to Mrs Cot
ter and Mrs. Rsnkle, they were too
agonized to converse coherently, end
scarcely broke the silence.
The scene of the disaster was soon
left behind, and vast stretch OF wood
and rock dawned upon the gaze OF the
prisoners, who could not help noticing
that their way grew more and more
lonely and solitary every moment
At length they came to 0 wild noun
tain stream, in the midst OF solitude
which did not show the least sign OF
ever having been traversed BY human
being.
sThis Is the place. Gaddler was heard
saying to Gilly, who was driving the
carriage. @You compreheDd?'
The man nodded
"Then let there be no failure!"
The party had reached the crest Of
long slope, from which they could look
down into o perfect food OF water,
which came surging and roaring down
the narrow valley.
sand now, forward, all!" cried Cad
dler, putting spurs to his horse @Fol-
low mel"
A horrible conviction forced itself
upon the prisoners, as they found them.
selves whirling down the slope at a
furious gallop.
aHe means to drown us ALL" whispered
Perry, In guarded whisper to his BE-
trothed.
mo doubt Of It was her answer.
aAll the rest Of the prisoners shared
this opinion, as was attested by Ethe
| glances passing between them.
forward" cried Gaddler, again half
rising in his stirrups, his face glowing
like 8 demons. "The brook may be
| dangerous, bat we can't waste an hour
TO go down to the bridget"
he did not speak again or even look
back, but led the way into the stream at
gallop, with his followers pressing
around him. ..--
At that critical moment, with the car
riase laundering down the slope toward
from either Ellie Tower or Mrs. Rankle
Instead Of uttering vain appeals for
mercy, they exchanged q few guarded
words, and then watched and waited
That some resolute purpose had en-
tered their souls would have been sp-
parent at glance, II their intended
asssssins had looked back at them.
The next instant preceding the ar-
rival Of the vehicle at the stream, Ellie
cut the bonds of her lover and Mrs
Rsnkle those Of Charley Baker, thus
restoring them to freedom.
| anu now lOr H.. e...OlneO ferry.
In another moment they were al out
Of the carriage, tumbling more or less
violently, but the light, grass-covered
soil proved an ample cushion for their
reception, and not one Of them received
the least injury.
Gathering themselves up promptly,
they flew to cover behind an outcroppine
of rock close at hand, at the same in
slant that the empty vehicle, witt
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