Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-04-18
Of mirth instantly passed, and she add.

ed, Mounted upon MIN you neeu tedf
no pursuit.
"But il overtaken by accident, how
shall explain the possession Of the ani.
NAL which it is believed have already
once stolen?"
"Refer inquiring ones to me, or. bet
ter still, perhaps, will give You bill
of sale that no one can question.
"You are fertile in resources, but IT,
will be difficult for me TO return your
animal after riding him 30 far"
II have not asked you to return him"
"Assuredly shall do so.'
"Have you not already purchased
him.
.But ut price that the rightful
owner considers an insult. Besides, the
one from whom I bought him was not
the owner, and my title therefore is de-
feotive"
mot IL I confirm it,"
IL cannot permit that. +"
"Will tho chestnut not be an inter.
esting souvenir of your first visit to
Mississippi after you shall have reached
your northern homer"
II do not need him as reminder Of
my experience in this state"
81 should suspect you would not "
"The memory Of you will remain
with me forever"
"Eocause was associated with your
fight for life" she instantly added, ap-
parently without any suspicion OF my
meaning. II do not wonder that You re.
pei the idea Of such souvenir. but, all
the same, J cannot permit you to pass
froa: benenih this roof without being In
possession Of every possible safeguard.
You have only one or two charges left
in your revolver. lam sure there are
cartridges i'll the house that will fit the
weapon, and will have Erastus search
for them.
Agentle tap sounded on the door, and,
asking me - excuse hpr, she walked
thither without bidding the servant en-.
ter. \ few whispered words were spo-
ken, and then she passed into the hall,
and the door was closed between her
and me. She was gone for some min.
utes and when she reappeared was un'
mistakably agi,ated.
'Erastus tells me, she explained,
with wonderful self control, THAT sew.
eral men are watching our house from .
distance. Hoping he was mistaken, i
looked for myself, and found he was
right.
"How many did You observer"
"Three-one is up the road and an
other at the bend in the direction of AL
dine. The third is on the edge OF the
swamp. suspect he has several CON-
panions with him, but il 20 they are
keeping within the screen Of the trees
and underground. This complicates the
situation, she added, "for il you ride
away on horse You must meet one OF
the armed men, while il you go afoot
the swamp is the only place that has
afforded You any kind Of q refuge and
you cannot make use OF il now."
"Why not ride boldly toward Aldine,
meet my challenger and refer him to
you on the question Of my right to the
animal which should ride away from
your house when the sun was shining?"
IF you were dealing with ordinary
men in their senses, there would pot be
q shadow Of danger in the situation,
but
She was standing in the middle OF the
room facing me. / was also on my
feet. Hitherto her expression was one OF
perplexity and misgiving. but now she
recovered herself like a flash. She
Strengthened up defiantly, and, turning
those marvellous black eyes upon me,
said:
eve are talking like towards! am
unworthy to he the daughter Of Colonel
Fitzroy Mansley. You will stay here in
this home until in your own good time
you choose to leave, and then You shall
do so unquestioned."
''It shall DO as you say" I replied,
ca.ching her courageous spirit.
All that she said was true. The house
was under surveillance, and the vigi.
lantes were gathered ON the edge Of
Black Mans swamp. The discussion
among the members had been long and
angry, but it was ended at last, and
Jim DUNCAN was still the lesder.
"At7 o'clock tonight" he said to
his followers, ''let every one Of You be
on hans at Tom Bulfnch's. Sam and
Jake will keep watch Of Colonel Mans
ley's house to make sure he doesn't slip
away. Well go together and wind up
this business in good shape"
And with this understanding the Wig
ilantes separated to their homes to
await the decisive hour that had been
announced by their leader.