Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-02-18
THE UNDOlNC Of +
\ ADOUBLE K
BY HUGO5T FlNDTERRE. ND.
AUTHOR OF"MHOS WH0f ET(tTQE
JCaPNRGH7I828 Observation-Disclosures I
ICONTINUED.I
CHAPTER XIX.

With feelings that cannot be describ-
ed | read my own name on the envelope
which Erastus Brown, the COlOred man,
banded to me. Until that moment l
had not dreamed that it was not intend
ed for Hank Boyer, but was mistaken.
1t was for me and no one else.
Breaking the envelope, l read the fol-
lowing:
Mr.. Edward Kenmore:
| have learned the dreadful mistake that was
made last night regarding yourself. The peo-
pie believe you to be a criminal when you are
an honest stranger in this Neighborhood. New
crthclc~S the law is powefleSS to protect you
for ,hc time being, and your only safety lies
in holding yourself beyond reach of the mis-
guided men until steps can be taken to estab-
liSh your identity. My father is doing his ut
most, but he may not succeed in time. Know
ing that you lLust be in need of food, | have
sent our servant in quest of you, bearing this
note of explanation and with little hope that
he will succeed in delivering either. Should
ne do so ! desire to say to you, speaking for
my father, Colonel Mansley, and myself, that
you Will be given IA cordial welcome under our
roof and will be defended to the last
ESTHER MANsLEY.
How characteristic, this letter of a
true southern woman! And how char
dSltIISlIC, lbU VI utI NdlliIlU ldJutI, lHG
Confederate veteran! Having become
satisfied of the truth and my grievous
peril, they were ready to defend me to
the death, even though the parent had
never seen me and had not exchanged
a word with the daughter. 1t was sutfi-
Cient for them to know that an irrepara
BILE wrong impended for their sympa-
thies to be enlisted.
And yet as [ walked slowly forward
beside the colOred servant, to whose
chatter | gave no head, a labyrinth of
perpleXity opened before me. Despite
her chivalrous feelings toward me, it
was evident that she loved the unworthy
Hank Boyer, the cause of all the mis-
chief and trouble. There is no fathOm-
ing the mystery and contradictions of a
woman 5 heart, and should it come to a
choice between sacrificing me or him,
which would she choose? With that
willful unreasonableness often mani
tested by bright woman, would she
not be ruled by her emotions and her
affection? The problem was beyond my
solution, ard my footsteps Jagged, for
was uncertain whether to go on or turn
aside and seek safety without human
help.
No doubt Colonel Mansley had ridden
with headlong haste i'll quest of help to
protect me from lynching. Great as was
his personal influence in his own neigh.
borhood, he must know that a mob is
not amenable to reason, and with the
people reused to eXasperatiOn against
me for my supposed crime they would
give no heed to his pleadings. While
standing alone he could make Dut a weak
defense against the infuriated yeOmen.
True, if he could convince his friends
beyond the immediate vicinity of the
real situation, he might organize force
that could defy the mob, but to do that
required at least several hours, and my
fate must be decided in the meantime.
turned about and studied the swamp
now at considerable distance to the
rear. Still 1t gave no sign. What could
it all mean? Where were those men and
their bloodhOunds that We're so clamor-
ous for my death? | was now in the
open and offered the most inviting op-
pOrtunity for destruction, but they
made no attempt to do me harm.
We had now advanced so far that the
broad, spacious residence of Colonel
Mansley, surrounded by trees, was in
sight, with the winding highway in
front. Had | deserted any of my enc
mics when | cast my last searching look
to the rear | should have changed my
line of flight so as to pass to one side
Of the dwelling and grounds, while
sought safety somewhere else but with
the coast clear it seemed that it was my
duty to call at the dwelling and per-
sonally thank Miss Mansley for what
she had already done and for the inter-
est she showed i'll my welfare.
Trifiing matters intrude on the most
mOmentOus occasions. | looked down at
my clothing and felt that | was itot in
pr r form to appear before a young
Lac While my garments had suffered
little damage during my flight through
the swamp my shoes We're soiled.
needed clean linen, my hair was un-
kempt, and three days growth of
beard demanded attention. If only had
my travelling bag, which presumably
was still at the inn at Aldine, the neces-
sary metamorphosis could be effected,
but it was hardly the part of prudence
for me to go i'll quest of it,
"Erastus, l said, stopping short,
with new inspiration, "can't you 20
down to Landlord Bulfinchs and get
the valise | left there?"
"No, sab, twas the prompt response.
"Why not?" demanded.
"'Cause it amt dar.
"How do you know that?"
1T hab been TUX away"
"Who took it,"
Me
"You! When did you do that?"
"Dis mawhnin
Glow came you to do that"
Miss Esther sent me fur it. | fotch-
ed dat and yo' umbreller, and dey bofe
Likewise am at de house now.
This was gratifying news i'll every
sense, for it not only provided me with
what | greatly needed, hut showed that
Miss Mansley expected me TO come to
her home That put a new face on mat
ters and sealed my determination to go
thither.
! But bewildering complication i'm
pended. What had become of the real