The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-06-18


can't YOU find that suit? You see,
there1l be four of us, and if you can
manage to capture the one who is to-
hold the horses, think the colonel
and Henry and myself will'be good
for the other two had thought of
suggesting something like this: They
will leave the. horses in the grove at the
left of the avenue, and you can post
yourself where you can slip up and sur
prise your man.. Then the others'will
proceed to fire the house, probably at
the front, retreating to the cover of
the clump of laurels to await develop
ments. For the sake Of Having clear
case of arson against them, I thought it
would be best to wait until they hadact-
ually started the fire, and while they are
doing this ] can get bchindthe laurels
and the colonel and Henry can prepare
to cover the men with their rifles as
they retreat. At the proper moment
can show myself and demand q surren-
der, and wen have them pretty well
surrounded"
Ludlow rose from his knees and pro.
ceeded to dump the contents of the
valises upon the bed, whistling softly
to himself as he did so. "The schemes
as clear as diluted daylight, and it's
worthy of graduate of Scotland
Yard" he said. There's only one
point that's little misty; you've given
yourself a part that'll ask for heap
of downright cold-blooded nerve, Hugh.
What have you done with your respect
ed traditions of inherent cowardice,
and the like?"
left them in the hole up on the
mountain, 1 hope" replied Ringbrand,
struggling into the clothing handed
him by Ludlow. Anyway, that's just
what want to find out. On two oc-
casions within the last three days 1
have managed to scare up courage
enough to stand up to danger like a
man, but the conditions were such as
would have made a rabbit turn and
fight. What want to know now is if
the inspiration were merely an ex-
| aggeration of the instinct of self-de-
Tense, or if / really did gain victory"
swell, you're certainly in fair way
to settle the question if you carry out
your programme. LIas it occurred to
you that your calm demand will prob
ably be answered With couple of rifle
/ balls?" fi tstE g
''I've thought of that, but l mean
to take the chances-if l don't weaken
and make failure of the whole af-
fair.
Ringbrand completed his hasty tot
let, and they went down to the din
ing-room, where Mrs. Ludlow was wait
ing to serve the returned wanderer.
I He took his accustomed place and made
a ravenous onslaught upon the hastily
prepared supper that astonishcd and
1 gratified the sympathizing hostess.
"How dreadfully hungry you were!''
I she said, calling Aunt Nina to repien-
ish the empty bread-plate. Haven't
you had anything to cat all days.?
| "Not very much. I'll tell you all
about it the first chance / get
"Are you going away tonight" she
asked, when Ludlow went out to hitch
/ up the horse.
"Yes; we are going up to The Lau'
rels,' and it may be late before we get
back"
I'm so glad! Ifyou're going there
I'll be good and not ask single ques
tion-until tomorrow"
i "Why are you glad?"
Because Hester is worried, and
want her to know you are alive ant
WELL"
They heard Ludlow drive out to the
gate, and Ringbrand pushed back his
chair. "Have you anything else to tel
me?" he asked.
She shook her head with precise en-
ergy. mot single, solitary word
except that you're to give my love t.
Hester"
"I'll certainly do that" he promised
"Good night" And he ran down thu
walk and sprang into the phaeton be
side Ludlow, who drove off rapidly VI
the mountain road.
The colonel and his son were sittin,
on the veranda when the phaetol
turned into the avenue, and Hester
grieving silently in the darkness of he
room, heard Ringbrand's voice answer
ing the hearty welcome of her father
She ran to the stairway, stopped mo
ment to regain her self-control, an,
then went down to meet him. The,
had all gone into the parlor, and whel
she followed them Hester felt for
: swift instant that the whole worl
, might read her secret in her face
Ringbrand rose to meet her, and too
her extended hand in both of his. g
told you good-by for some purpose aft
err all, didn't I, Miss Hcster?" he sale
smiling.
: Il should think you did," she ar
$ swered, reproachfully. "Where in tn
: world have you been? And what make
: you look SO thin and pale?"
l II tumbled into hole on the mour
tain" he explained, and, leading her t
:, chair, he seated himself beside he
e and recountcd his adventures, careful
~ suppressing all mention of tn
i Bynums, and leaving her to suppos
: that he had simply met with an acc
h dent.
: Il should think you would have bee
Il starved almost to DEATH" she said, pit,
: iugly. "How was it that some of til
Il IL a.. 4