Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-06-10
CHAPTER IL

unaffected that the man WINS discop-
certcd. and ut last joined i'm il, little
shamefacedly. The grotesque blundcr
OF being taken as "A fugitive from JUS
tice relieved Clarence's mind from it's
acute tension. he was momentarilv di-
verted, and il was not until the boat
man had departed and he was again
alone that it seemed to have any col
lateral Significance.
Then an uneasy recollection of Susy's
threat that she had the power to put
his wife in Fort Alcatrez came across
him
Could she have already warned the
municipal authorities, and this man-
but he quickly remembered any action
from such warning could only have
been taken by the United States
marshal, and not by a civic official. and
dismissed the idea.
Nevertheless. when the stage with it's
half-spcnt lamps still burning dimly
against the morning light swept round
the curve and rolled heavily up TO the
fec, he became watchful.
y single yawning individual in its
doorway received few letters and par
GELS, but Clarence was evidently the
only waiting passenger. Any hope that
lie might have entertained that his mvs-
tcrious predecessor would emerge from
some seclusion at that moment. was
disappointed.
AS he entered the coach he made n
rapid survey of his ow-travelers. but
satisfied himself that the stranger was
not among them. They were mainly
small traders or farmers, a miner or
two. and apparently Spanish-Amcr-
lean OF better degree and personality.
Possibly the circumstance that men
of this class usually preferred TO travel
on horseback and were rarely seen i'm
public conveyances attracted his atten-
ton, and their eyes met more than once
in mutual curiosity.
Presently Clarence addressed a re-
mark To him i'm Spanish. He replied flu
entity and courteously, but at the next
stopping place he asked question OF
the eNpressman IN an unmistakable
Missouri accent.
Ciarcucc's curiosity was satisfied; he
was evidently one of those early Amer
lean settlers who had been so long domi.
the speech rs well as the habilimcnts
of the ;paniard.
The conversation fell upon the politi-
cal news Of the previous night. or rnthcr
seemed 10 be iazily continued from
some precious more exciting discussion.
IN which one OF the contestants. red
bearded miner, had subsidized into an oc-
casional growl of surly dissent.
1t struck Clarence that the Missourian
had been an amused auditor, and even.
Judging from n twinkle in his eve. a
mischievous instigator % the contro-
versy. IIc was not surprised. therefore.
when the man turned to him with a
certain courtesy and said:
And what, sir, is the political feeling
in your district?"
But Clarence was i'm no mood to be
drawn. and replied. almost CURLY. that
as he had come only from San Francis
60, they were probably as well informed
ON that subject as himself.
\ quick and searching glaace from
the strangers eyes made him regret il.
but III the silence that cnsued the red
bearded passenger. evidently still rank
ling az heart. saw his opportunity.
Shaping his huge hands on his knees.
and leaned far forward, until he
seemed 10 plunge his flaming beard 80
Ike - iircbrand-into the controversy.
he said Frimly:
We'll, kin tell you RenTmen this!
II amt goin' 10 be no Iaatter wot's the
political feeling here or thar-it amt
goin' 10 be no matter volts states
rights and wot's fcd'ral rights-it amt
goin' 10 he no question whether the
COMMENTS got the right 20 relieve It's
own soldiers that those secesh is be.
sicgiug in Fort Sumter. or whether
they hGycn't-but the first gun that's
fired at the flag blows the chains OF
every blamed niger south OF Mason
and Discus line! You hear mel I'm
shoutinI And whether you call your.
selves 'sccesh. or union or copper.
head, or peace men. YOU got to face H."
There was an angry start in orc or
two Of tic seats; one man caught AZ
the swinging side strap and half rose. o
husky voice began: Its q confound.
cd" and then all as suddenly sub.
sided
Every eye was turned TO an insignif.
cant figure in the back scat. II was
woman holding child on her lap and
gazing out OF the window with her
oeN's profound uncOnccrn IN politics.
Clarence understood the rude chiv.
airy Of the road well enough TO compre
bend that this unconscious but umnipo.
tent figure had. more than once that
day. controlled the passions Of tho dis 1
putauts. They dropped back weakly
"a their seats. and their muttcrinVs
rolled OF in the rattle OF the wheels.
Clarence glanced NJ the Missourian
IIewas regarding the red-bcardcd miner
with singular curiosity.
The rain had ceased. but the after. |
noon shadows were deepening when |
they at last reached Fair Plains. when I
Clarence expected TO take horse 10 the /
rancho. lie wos astonished. however /
TO learn that all the horses in the stable /
were engaged. but remembering that /
some Of his own stock were in pastur /
age with a tenant ut Fair Plains. and
that he should probably bave a bette,
selection. he turned his steps flither
l1o ne coErISvkDl