Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-09-29
CHAPTER XVI

NtlAE LIN a l.
Enough has been already told to in
dicate that Hendricks had in his keep
ing two prisoners whose presence add
ed a perilous element to the under
ground society. These men, employed
by the secret service of the govern
ment, were to Hendricks the first direct
intimation that the forces of society
had in some way put facts enough to-
gether to warrant an intelligent at
tempt to run him down. Whatever
theory these officers had been working
on had been summarily frustrated by
Hendricks taking them both prisoners.
He had, with his usual quicl1ness of
decision, summed up the whole chain of
consequences Their mission was a
secret one and only the secret service
department knew of it, but their dis
appearance would speedily bring about
his place the whole engincry of the
government. lie expected to be be-
sieged in the end, but as war on
large scale had been part of his calcu-
lation from the start this did not deter
him. He calculated as usual with great
| shrewdness on the element of time,
and he felt sure that if the under
ground rendezvous could be kept from
the knowledge of the public until all
his plans were matured he would pre-
serve an enormous advantage even in
a fight with the government.
In order to narrate what occurred in
the Laran at this time it is necessary
| to go back to Miss Laport
Miss Laport was slender and pretty
girl of twenty, with serious gray eyes, q
great abundance of beautiful wavy
chestnut hair and rather pensive oval
face, in which there were indications
of strong character and much spiritual
ity. She had received an excellent
| education when her fathers means
were ample and she had suffered deeply
when his disgrace came. She was now
living life of expectancy and mystery
waiting only for the release Of her
father to redeem the promise early
made to go away with him and forget
in some distant place their wrongs and
their troubles. Placed under Fenning
IN Memphis she proved a valuable
amanuensis and clerical assistant.
She worked patiently and uncomplain-
ingly and got to know great deal of
the confidential business that was car
ried on between the Bayou house and
the office. She awakened Fenning's s
interest and respect and she was CRATE
full for his consideration and care of
her, and when he began to evince a
deeper interest she did not repulse
him, although he awakened in her
none of the emotions to which girl of
her age is susceptible. She treated
Fcnning with an undisguised kindness,
for he had shown real solicitude in
her personal comfort and her future
welfare, and had secured for her a
handsome salary which she scrupulous-
ly put in the savings bank.
When they went to Laran Mrs. Hen
dricks treated her as an equal and a
guest. But if it had not been for Fen
ming, her life there would have beer
monotonous enough. He secured for
her the latest books took her out fol-
long rides and looked after her amuse
mcnt and comfort in thousand ways
But Jennings was evidently not the
} nature to touch her deeply His cool
E mathematical mind may have won her
admiration when she saw it exercised
in crisis or dilemma, but it did moi
move her affections. She was under
heavy obligations to Fenning and she
would not hurt his feelings The mo
i lnent that Lieut.. Stocking became {
] guest in the house, the whole aspect o.
I things changed. Here was a passion
! ate, heroic aud emotional southerner
/ who immediately exercised over he
Q an influence that she could not resist
e His nature was the antithesis and tn
/, complement Of hers. lie was immedi
: ately attracted by her They came TO
gethcr easily and often, and all tn,
J. amusements which had been enioyc'
with Fenning now wore a new ardo
Of romance. brief, these young per
p sons fell instantly and deeply in love
D When, therefore, on that morning O
: : the fight, she had seen him wounde,
r and dragged fighting 20 the sigma
g room, her indignation was unbounde
i and her misery uncomfortable. Sh
knew enough Of Hendricks affairs {
Il suspect that he was in some way actin
h in opposition to the authorities, an
g she had gathered from Stocking some
: thing Of the peculiar nature Of hi
3 visit. When, therefore, he disappeare
. down the shaft, her heart sank With
q her. She believed that ne would nove
: return. I'm this wretchedness she too
i 20 her room until Mrs. Hendricks er
.e deavored to oXtricate her from her d,
- spair. That lady found her in a cor
y dition OF morbid melancholy froI
n which it was no easy matter 20 rescu
Is her and it did not take her long to o.