The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1896-05-28

and looked at his watch he found he
had been absent only half an hour.
Only half an hourl As he entered the
house he turned with the same abstrac-
tion toward mirror in the hall as If he
had expected to see some outward and
visible change in himself at that time,
Dismissing his servants to bed, he.
wentinto his sdressing-room, completely
changed his attire, put on pair di
long riding boots, and throwing a SER
ape over his shoulders, paused mo-
ment, took pair of small derringer
pistols from box, put them in his pock-
cts, and then slipped cautiously down
the staircase.
A lack of confidence in his own do
mestics had invaded him for the first
time. The lights were out. n He SILENT
ly opened the door and was in N the
street. ,st,a,;.g,,.
He walked hastily few squares to a
livery stable, whose proprietor he
knew. His first inquiry was for one
ltedslsin-o particular horse; the Sec
ord for its proprietor. Happily both
we're in, Theproprietor asked no quess
ton of customer of Clarence's condi-
tion. 81
The horse, half Spanish, powerful
ind irascible, was quickly saddled. As
Clarence mounted, the man, in an inn
pulse of sociability, said;
Saw you at the theater tonight,
SIR" NJ
"Ah!" returned Clarence, quietly
catering up the reins.
Rather smart trick of that woman
with the flag" he said, tentatively.
Then, with possible doubt of his Gus
TONER'S politics, he added, with forced
smile: Il reckon it's all party fuss,
though-thar amt any real danger"
But fast as Clarence might ride the
words fingered in his ears. He saw
through the mans hesitation-he, too,
had probably heard that Clarence
rrant weakly sympathized with his
wife's sentiments and dared not speak
fully. And he understood the cowardly
suggestion that there was mo real dan
ger"
1t had been Clarence's one fallacy. He
lad believed the public excitement was
only a temporary outbreak OF partisan
feeling soon to subside. Even now he
was conscious that he was less doubtful
of the integrity of the union than Of his
own household. 1t was not the devo-
ton of the patriot, buttthe indignation
Of an outraged husband that was spur
ring himon
He knew that if he reached Woodville
by five o'clock he would get ferricd
across the bay to 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 Redskin into irascible speed
and plunged into the rainy darkness
of the high road. The way was famil.
lar.
| For awhile he was content to fetl
the buffeting, caused by his rapid pace
of wind and rain against his depressed
head and shoulders, in sheer bruta
sense of opposition and power; or tt
relieve his pent-up excitement by dash
ing through overfowed gullies in tht
road, or across the quaggy, solder
edges of meadow land, until he had con
trolled Redskins rebellious extrava
gance into a long, steady stride.
Then he raised his head and straight
ened himself on the saddle--to think
But to no purpose. He had.no plan
everything would depend upon the sit
uation; the thought Of forestalling any
action of the conspirators, by warning
or calling in the aid of the authorities
for an instant crossed his mind, bu
was as instantly dismissed.
He had but an instinct, to see witt
his own eyes what his reason told hin
was true.
Day was breaking through drifting
scud and pewter-colored clouds as b
reached Woodville ferry, checkeret
with splashes of the soil and the SPUN
of his horse, from whose neck ant
fianks the sweat rolled like lather.
| Yet he was not conscious how inten
had been his purpose until he felt
sudden instructive shock on seeing tha
the ferryboat was gone! For an instan
his wonderful self-possession abah
doned him; he could only gaze vacant.
at the leaden-colored bay without
thought or expedient, but in anothe
moment he saw that the boat was re
turning from the distance. Had he los
his only chance?
He glanced hurriedly at his watch
he had come quicker than he imagined
there would still be time. He beckone
impatiently to the ferryman. The boat
q ships pinnacc, with two men in II
crept in with exasperating slownesf
At last the two rowers sullenly leape
ashore.
"Ye might have come before with tn
other passenger. We don't reckon t
run lightnin' trips on this ferry"
But Clarence was himself agar
Twenty dollars for two more oars i
that boat" he said, quietly, "and So
If you get me over in time to catch tf
down stage"
The man glanced at Clarence's eye
run up and rouse our Jake and Sam,
L. ..asl 4n t1a 1@6n., I1a1tv,,ot,. fha