Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-06-10
in. The proprietor asked no que

wesc in. The proprietor asked no ques-
ton of n customer of Clarence's condi-
ton.
The horse. half Spanish. powerful
and irascible. was quickly saddled. AS
Clarence mounted. the man, in an i'm
pulse of sociability, said:
saw you at the theater tonight,
SIR
All" returned Clarence. quietly
catering up the reins.
Rather smart trick of that woman
with the flag" he said. tentatively.
Then, with a possible doubt of his Gus
toners politics, he added. with n forced
smile: Il reckon it's all party fuss,
though-thar amt any real danger"
hut fast as Clarence might ride the
words fingered in his ears. He saw
through the mans hesitation-hc, too.
had probably heard that Clarence
Grant weakly sympathized with his
vines northumberland dared not speak
fully. And he understood the cowarily
suggestion that there was mo real dan
ger"
III had been Clarence's one fallacy. He
had believed the public excitement was
only temporary outbreak of partisan
feeiing-Soon to subside. Even now he
was conscious that he was less doubtful
of the integrity of the union than of his
own household. Ii was not the devo-
ton of the patriot. but the indignation
of an outraged husband that was spur
ring him on.
He knew that if he reached Woodvillc
by five o'clock he would get ferried
across the bay 10 the embarcado and
catch the down coach to Fair Plains.
whence he could ride to the rancho.
AS the coach did not connect directly
with San Francisco. the chance of his
surprising them was greater.
Once clear of the city outskirts he
bullied RedslIin into irasciblc speed.
and plunged into the rainy darkness
of the high road. The way was farnil-
lar.
For awhile he was content TO feel
the bufreting, caused by his rapid pace.
of wind and rain against his depressed
head and shoulders, in a sheer brutal
sense of opposition and power; or 20
relieve his pent-up excitement by DASH
ing through overlooked gullies in the
road, or across the quaggy, sodden
edges of meadow land. until he had con.
trollcd Redskins rebellious extrava-
gancc into "A long, steady tride.
Then he raised his head and straight
encd himself on the saddle-to think.
But to no purpose. lie had no plan;
everything would depend upon the sit
uation; the thought of forestallng any
action of the conspirators, by warning
or calling in the aid of the authorities.
for an instant crossed his mind, but
was as instantly dismissed
He had but an instinct, to see with
his own eyes what his reason told him
was true.
Day was breaking through drifting
scud and pewter-colored clouds as he
reached Woodville ferry, checkered
with splashes of the soil and the spume
of his horse, from whose neck and
TANKS the sweat rolled like lather.
Yet he was not conscious how intent
had been his purpose until he felt n
sudden instructive shock on seeing that
the ferryboat was gone! For an instant
his wonderful self-possession aban-
doncd him; he could only gaze vacantlv
mt the leaden-colored bay without n
thought or eXpedicnt. but in another
moment he saw that the boat was re-
turning from the distance. Had he lost
his only chance?
He glanced hurriedly at his watch:
he had come quicker than he imagined;
there would still be time. He beclloned