Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-15

around the door and WITHIN trankiyh |
saw the petticoSts OF two or three wo-
men. He entered the barroom in some
trepidation.
Abe Bannock was behind the bar, but
he was not waiting upon customers
HIS wife was doing the honors for the
thirsty crowd.
Halo. Mr. Frankiyni" exclaimed the
tavern keeper. "Might-hic.-y-
ter see We. Ye're in good season.
What's up?" demanded the engineer
carelessly. but his heart beat faster.
"Weddin.' said Abe with satisfac- (.
ton. M niece's goin ter be married. !
Justice'n be-hicl-here shortly.
FRANKLIN kept a strong hand upon
his emotions and waited.
ITS a great day, sir. Hope yen jine
us. Thar's the happy bridegroom over
| yander." and the tipsy tavern Keeper
pointed to the figure Of Hi Coniey loll-
ing upon dirty table across the room.
| At his words Hi arose uDsteadily and
locked at FRANKLIN with an ugly light
in his eyes He was not as drunk as
Abe. but he was the more dangerous.
Yes. sir I'm the bridegroom. An
reckon l kin look out for my wife. too.
1 want all you fellers to take notice,
he said. waving his hand to the crowd
at the bar. Anybody that gifts ter
shinnying round my wifell git inter
trouble. That goesi"
"Oh. you're all right. HI" responded
FRANKLIN with a laugh. But he de-
sired with mighty desire to seize the
fellow by the throat and choke the
| breath out OF his cowardly body
Mrs. Abe followed the engineer into
the dining room for moment
/ II reckon you kin have some dinner,
sir" she said. But Resell haf ter wait
on yer 'Twon't take her long an
< won't hurt her s'long's she's actin so
ofish." She went to the foot OF the
stairs and shouted: Rose, You Rose!
l Come down yere. Here's Mr.. FRANKLIN
s to be waited on"
In a moment the girls white face ap-
d peared at the door,
}, Thank Cod thank God," she whis-
/. pered. tremblingly. Il had given up
IS the justice come, with this by me- she
drew out from under her skirt sharp
bladed knife II thought IL was he
l. when you came, and-and-"
IL Great heavensl" gasped Franklyn
d would you kill yourself?"
t, She drew herself up to her full height
ID and she seemed suddenly taller than
r. ever before. do you think Tor a mo
D. ment 1 would marry that wretch2 Bet
n ter death a thousand times. Although
1T am coward and fear bodily punish
Or ment, the knife was at my breast wher
aunt called me-"
I She flung it down upon the table anC
III FRANKLIN seized the weapon as though
he feared she would do herself harm
il with it, even now.
Now what do you want me to dor
d. she asked. Evidently the idea that b.
might fail to protect and save her hat
q. never disturbed the girls mind. Frank
Ign could not tell her he was as we
It powerless.
i'd II saw the lawyer" he said, feebly
b. And is he here?" she asked eagerly
We He will take me away?"
to He cannot until he gets an orde
ad from the court"
H. Then how will he stop the marriag
hit and
at HE can't" returned Franklyn, wit
OF a sudden burst OF desperation. III
l." can't save you; but 1 can, and I'll d
IT. it,"
Yes. Mr.. FRANKLIN. l never doubte
you" she said. with blush. and 1
er some surprise at his vehemense.
ne Quick, now! Do Just as tell you.
ay he said. Serve me some dinner here
anything will do. l will go out after
have eaten and tell Abe that will b
a back from the lumber camp before th
re ceremony; and I'll leave some none
Ity with his wife to treat the boys.
I'D You must slip out the back way an
is | get down to she river unseen. I'll 1oi
you there and We'll get away in my IL
boat-there's nothing on the river ca
stop her once she gets going. Wit
FIVE minutes start don't believe the
L" can overtake US, either on skates
he horseback. Wrap yourself up warml
ter Now bring ma In something to eat"
IS. She obeyed to the letter. In te
ng minutes he joined her at the river
edge. Everybody had filed into the II
the tie barroom az Franklyn's Invitation
a and not a soul was In sight as the el
Ike gineer raised the yecht's mainsail ar
len pushed the craft Gus upon the ice. Ro
aid darted out OF the bushes and he lift
md her in-bOa-d bodily and with a Nigh
push leaped in himself. The Ice Wrai
1t started slowly. There was light
no. fair wind, and as soon as they were c
ne from under the land the huge s
ing would feel it
ept Franklin was scarcely seated at I
!. tifler when there was wild shout FIR,
the tavern. He glanced back.
uld men were swarming out of the pls
hat and at their head was HI Conley. RI
Inn hid her face in her hands and trembl
1ne Comfy swung a rife above his he
der then brought the weapon to his sho
ove der and fired reckleSsly after the
boat. The bullet sang less than Il
re- ] above Franklyn's head. Hi was
he excellent shot-when sober. The
ded. gineer heard him yelling for his retI
and threatening to shoot him If
at did not obey.
D Il But the Ice Wrath was stead
creeping out into the river and the 6
bellied with the wind. There was
ter- second shot, but glancing back Fran
end Ign saw half dozen of the men Il
will upon horses and into sledge VIII
stood before the tavern, and the VIII
get cavalcade clattered away down
river road. They meant to overt;
him at the landing or head him on
hese fore he reached there.
Are they comins ?" cried Rose.
3 up They'll never follow us upon
do Ice" said Franklyn, cheerfully. TIL