The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-10-09

ing haQ broken the neck OF y uuSe tey-
tons presumed assassin.
But these recollections no longer de-
layed him; the moment for action had
arrived. He knew that since the trag-
edy the boudoir had been disrnantled
and summed; the servants believed it to
be haunted by the assassin's ghost.
With the aid of the passion vine
the ingress was easy. The interior WIN
dow was open; the rustic of dark
leaves on the bare floor as he entered
and the whirr of a frightened bird by
his ear told the story of its desolation
and the source of the strange noises
that had been heard there.
The door leading to the corridor was
lightly bolted, merely to keep it from
rafting in the wind. Slipping the bolt
with the blade of his pocketknife, he
peered into the dark passage. The
light streaming under the door to the
him that his conjecture was right and
the meeting was gathered.on the broad
balconies around the patio.
He knew that a narrow gallery, faced
with Venetian blinds to exclude the sun.
looked down upon them. He managed
to gain it without discovery; luckily
the blinds were still down. Between
their Stats, himself invisible, he could
hear and see everything that occurred.
Yet even at that supreme moment the
first thing that struck him was the al
most ludicrous contrast between the APP
pearance of the meeting and it's ire
mendous object.
Whether he was influenced by any
previous boyish conception of a cloudy
and gloomy conspiracy, he did not
know, but he was for an instant almost
disconnected by the apparent levity
| and festivity of the conclave. Ocean
ters and glasses stood on small tables
before them; nearly all were drinking
and smoking.
They comprised Is or 20 men, some
| whose faces were familiar to him else
where as southern politicians; few,
| he was shocked to see, were well-known
northern democrats.
Occupying Enthusiastically CEN
trail position was the famous Col. Star
bottle, of Virginia Jaunty and youth
full looking in his mask-lille, bearlless
| face, expressive and dignified in his
middle-aged port and carriage, he
alone retained something of the i'm
portance- albeit slightly theatrical and
affected-of the occasion.
! Clarence, in his first hurried glance.
had not observed his wife, and for mo-
ment had felt relieved.
But as Col. Starbottle arose at that
moment, and with a StudiouSly chival-
rous and courtly manner turned to mis-
right, he saw that she was sitting at
| the further end of the balcony. and
! that a man whom he recognized as
! Capt Pinckney was standing beside
| her.
The blood quickly frightened around
his heart, but left him cold and observ-
ant.
1t was seldom. indeed, remarked Col.
Starbottle, placing his fat white fin
gers in the frill of his shirt front, that
!. movement like this was graced with
the actual presence of lofty, inspir-
ing yet delicate spirit-a Boadicea-
indeed, he might say a Joan of Arc
| i'll the person of their very charming
hostess. Mrs. Brant.
Not only were they favored by her
social and hospitable ministration, but
fy her active and enthusiastic coopera-
| tion in the glorious work they had in
hand. 1t was through her correspon-
cnce and earnest advocacy that they
were to be favored tonight with the
aid and counsel of one of the most dis
tlnguished and powerful men in the
southern district of California, Judge
Beeswinger, of Los Angeles.
He had not the honor of that gentle
mans personal acquaintance; he be-
| lieved he was not far from wrong in
saying that this was also the misfor-
| tune of every gentleman present, but
the name itself was tower of strength.
He would go further and say that Mrs.
Brant herself was personally unac-
| 9uainted with him, but that it was
| through the fervor, poetry, grace and
genius of her correspondence with that
gentleman that they were to have the
honor of his presence that very even
ing. 1t was understood that advices
had been received of his departure, and
that he might be expected at Robes
at any moment.
But what proof have we of Judge
Beeswinger's soundness?" said a lazy
southern voice at the conclusion of
Col. Starbottle's periods. Nobody
here seems to know him by sight; is
it not risky to admit man to our
meeting whom we are unable to iden-
tify?"
Il reckon nobody but fool or some
Frying mudsill of a Yankee would trust
his skin here returned another, land
if he did we'd know what to do with
him.
But Clarence's attention was rivcted
on his wife, and the significant speech
passed him as UNDECIDED as had the
coloners rhetoric. She was looking
very handsome and slightly flushed,
with n proud light in her eyes that he
had never seen before.
Absorbed in the discussion, she
seemed to be paying little attention to
Capt. Pinckney, as she rose suddenly
to her feet.
Judge Beeswinger will be attended
here by Mr.. MacNiel of the Fair Plains
hotel. who will vouch for him and in
troduce him." she said in a clear voice
which rang with an imperiousness that
Clarence well remembered. THE judge
was to arrive by the coach from Mar
tinez to Fair Plains, and is due now"
=