The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-08-12
And did moi tell ron that she goel

None. L particularly asked Anne.
absurd. He could not be Brown or
she lady unless, indeed, the title is In
her own right. In that case your pearl
of n handmaiden is an honorable. The
Honorable Anne brings out the tray
he added, as she approached our cor
ner. NO, it's all false, you may de
pend upon it. Ask Mcpherson what he
thinks of it: he is coming up the drive
Fergus McPherson-caution personi-
fied-opined that Anne had lied. He
ceitful in deed. Better watch her, Mrs.
Allandale."
My suspicious We're not excited. In
California nothing is impossible. Had
not a scion of a lordly house died on a
neighboring ranch-a lonely. neglected
air and restless look increasing day by
day. l heartily wished for some pre-
text whereby Cedric, dispatched into
La Huerta, might inquire into the ante
cedentS of the Honorable Anne.
Chance favored me.
gan my spouse, ii few days later, about
some bloodhounds in town that belong
to the sheriff. They are Al at tracking
criminals-bOrrow them all over the
State Beastly shame it's such jour
ney-it would be rather jolly to see
them"
"Why not go? a change would do
you good"
go! And who would milk the cow"
II, myself"
"You? Nonsense-'
"Who is the sheriff. I Idly asked
meditating my next move the while.
"Waite-Hiram Waite"
"Our Honorable" who had entered.
bearing that ranch standby. a smok-
ing bowl Of "nusl." started. growing
visibly pale--fresh food for uneasiness.
Clearly to learn the art of milking was
imperative. The woman won. as usil-
al. and Cedric, before the week was
over, started for La Huerta. with strict
injunctions to interview both hospital
superintendent and sheriff.
Billikins. and the Honorable Anne. I'm
eventually passed the first few days:
but on Monday. from the veranda.
espied band of men. who. leaving the
county road, came slowly up the drive.
Anne. perceiving them, grew white to
the lips, and, bearing Billikins, precipi-
lately fed.
"Good evening"" the leader began, as
he lifted his sombrero. Were kinder
rough sight for lady. You see, we're
n posse over from Tulare. trying to
find man named Smith. His tracks.
they seemed to pint this way. Amt
seen any stranger round here lately?"
mo, indeed"
mo woodchOpper nor nothing?"
"No. none. What has this man done?
What does he look like?"
Real nice and young and kind. Not
more'n a boy. Murdered man over
there. Here's his description" and he
handed me coarsely printed re
ward" "Well, boys, get move on.
We're on our way to La Huerta," he
added, "to borrow Waites dogs. Well.
good day, ma'am. Better not harbor
any strangers"
A moment more, and, left alone. l
thought over the situation. Cedric
gone no Ieighbor near, murderer at
large whose steps ''p'inted this way"
Suddenly 1t was borne in upon me that
Anne was the fugitive!
A firm believer in woman's intui-
tions, yet hoping desperately that mine
was at fault. / unfolded the paper the
sheriff gave me. 1t tailed well. Mo-
rosencss. agitation. all were explained.
Did Anne guess that her identity was
known. my life, l feared. would pay
the penalty. To ignore the situation,
live through the night If possible, and
trust to someone turning up in the
morning was all that could be done.
Milking time brought fresh terrors.
How guard ones self, with both hands
engaged letting down floods Of warm,
innocent milk, Dinner was eaten hur-
riedly, with the same feeling of uneasi-
ness. Billikins tucked in his crib, Anne
retired early, and, every sense on the
alert, l was left alone to watch the
nursery door.
It fascinated me. Who would open
It? Anne, to hide among the canyons
till the posse had returned to its Tulare
home? Or Henry Smith. to make an
end of me and flee? Truly, the ranch
monotony was broken at last Solemn
ly the clock licked, slowly the hands
went round, an hour passed. A move
ment in the adjoining room, and liter
ally my blood ran cold. That had hith-
erto seemed mere figure of speech
The sound ceased, and still l watched
the nursery door. At last, when my
brain would have turned with more,
heard sound which. faint at first,
grew louder and louder.
"Oh, heaven l cried, 'the blood
hounds-' and fell senseless to the
ground.
Slowly returned to consciousness, my
gaze fell on Cedric the La Huerta sher-
iff, and Anne-Anne anxiously apply
ing restoratives!
"Take him away" gasped; "he will
murder u.s.
You are ravingT cried Cedric; that
Is Anne"
NO: Smith, the murderer. The blood |
hounds tracked him to the very door,
Here Hiram Waite thought fit to In
terpose.
Guess can straIghten out this kink,
Mrs. Allandale. You did hear the |
hounds; they're up at the barn now.
Your husband, he heard at La Huerta |
we was beatin' up this part Of the coun-
try, so he lit out for home, thinkin' |
you'd be scared. We caught our man |
hidin' by the 'Dobe hill. and the Tulare |
boys took him back to town. Your hus- |
band and me was tired, so we made |
tracks for here. Sorry bout the dogs. |
Might ha' known they'd scare you"