The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-19

aroused. and also resenting the idea that
he should consider any test of my friend
ship for him 100 great for me TO stand. eff
there is anything in the world that 1 can
do for you, Marston, you wei know that
l will be only too glad TO do ii. Ont with
it now; what is the matIer?'
81 cannot tell you all of the horrible
story" he replied with marked hesitation.
IF you are willing to go with me you viii
have to wait until we arrive before you
hear all there is TO tell
Arrive where?" l demanded.
THAT also is out of my power to state"
he responded, for | do not yet know my
self" Then he sprang from his chair and
with rapid strides crossed and recrossed
the room several times, at last pausing al
rectly in front of me. with feet wide
apart and hand thrust deep into his trous-
ers pockets. For moment he regarded
me with gaze so intense that involunta-
rily turned my eyes away. II was then
that he continued
Look here, Ferguson" he said "if
you really mean that you will stand by
me through this ching, you will have to
go into 1t blindly. 1t is not that l lack
confidence in you that 1 do not tell-you
know that, or shouldn't is because, now,
| cannot be more explicit"
"All right IN go il blind, then" l said.
failure of it. You would do it for me If
the positions were reversed"
81 am not so sure of that knowing
what I do" he half soliloquized. IT'S a
great deal to ask OF any man, especially
ones best friend. No, Ferguson, do not
think that I should accept your offer I'll
see the thing through alone, let the conse-
quences be what they may"
'I'll be blowed II you will" I ejaculat-
ed. getting upon my feet also. and facing
him where he stood eff you are going
into any danger, where I can be OF SER
vice, or where I can help see you through
I'm going to do it. don't care a rap
what il is You needn't tell me another
word, now or ever. If you dont want TO-
but go with you I Will; and II you still
refuse. so help me- I'll trump up some
charge and have you arrested so that you
cannot go yourself Now, don't have any
more words about IL, but tell me al once
what / am 10 do"
You're a trump, too. Ferguson he
exclaimed. Selling me by the hand and
shaking II heartily, and ! noticed that his
eyes frightened perceptibly as he did So
ut is worth while having such friend
as you are in an extremity like this one,
and I will take you az your word. All
that ] can say now is this: ! must leave
here tonight at midnight. and / have an
appointment 90 keep beyond the city linn
its; but the exact location Of the place
where I am TO meet the parties who ex-
poet me has not yet been fixed upon. In
fact, will not know about II until Short
" before the time 10 start. We VIII have
10 go on horseback and God alone knows
when we viii return, II we ever do Are
you still determined to accompany me?"
More than ever
VERY well Meet me, then. at Lands
stables exactly at u O'Clock tonight.
will have two good horses IN readiness.
See thar you are we'll armed. Ferguson.
A pair Of 'forty-fours' may come in
handy before we see the sun of another
day-if we are fortunate enough ever to
do So"
clasped his hand silently. and IN ST.
lence left him. I was greatly perturbed
about the affair for ! could not even
guess at the meaning Of his strange words
and manner. ] had known Moore since
my freshman year az college. and our
friendship had never faltered since thai
time, now twelve years nor had ever
known him TO get into serious scraDe.
or the two / was more prone TO that
sort OF thing.
II was barely o'clock when 7 leff
Moore. so that | had four hours IN which
20 make my preparations for The midnight
ride This ! did. FIRST by writing several
letters and inclosing them In a big en-
telops. which / placed cOnspicuously on
the mantel In my sleeping room. marked.
ITO be opened and directions followed. IN
case have not returned at O'Clock to-