Graham guardian., 1900-06-01

colonel gave II as his opinion that they
were OFT the track. but that IL was only
a question OF time before they would
catch the scent again.
Two. hours passed. The sun sank be-
hind the distant mountain peaks. The
sky beyond was as red as blood, The
wisps of clouds lying against the noun.
tain-F,des looked like glaciers. The
landscape took on delicate veil of
gray Objects in the distance began 10
assume vague shapes. The dark out
lines OF the swamp were fast merging
Into the night.
"They have been taking Sig-xag
course" proclaimed Hasbrooke from
his end OF the verands. ~ he rascal
will be as timber AS u rag when he Is
treed. There are no TWO ways about II;
MS all up with him; the darkness viii
not be In his favor; nothing but blood
will satisfy the fury OF tha, mob"
"Do you mean that the sheriff will
not be- able 10 control them 2" queried
Mrs. Lancaster. who had begun TO walk
about nervouAiy.
"fle'd have to have lot Of back bone
70 even try IT,. answered her hos,.
'iie'd be knocked out like straw in q
hurricane; murderers OF old women
stand no chance with these crude An
glo-Ssxons."
iihnd grown dark. save forthe hgh, Of
the moon. which had just risen and
loomed up like huge conflagration be.
yond the tree-topk. For ye, half an
hour only. an intermittent about or the
sudden outburs, Of barking was heard
from the swamp, but each time the
sounds were nearer. Old Ephrsim. as II
anticipating hi, masters desirea. drove
round the Lorses and trap.
~ good ides." approved the colonel:
gentlemen. we might as well get near
or. think know where they will
come out.
by all meank!" cried the captain.
with enthusiasm. He Was the frat TO
get seat IN the vehicle. and was fol-
lowed by his hosi and MIR. Hardy.
When the trap had gone. Miss Has
brooke retired TO her room with some
complaining allusioD 10 her nerves. and
Eveiyh ard Mrs. Lancaster remained on
ih~veranda, guarded only BY the old ne
gro. who stood like sentry on duty st
the foo, Of the steps.
''Oh. Mrr. Lancaster" exclaimed Ev-
etyn, II feel AZ II he Is going INTO dan
ger-that they will kill him!"
For n moment the Old woman made
h. a IL
with evident emotion.
Il pray God that he may not be
harmed" Her tone was almost .
prayer in itself.
The baying and shouting were now
very near. Half mile away torch
light. Like tirefiies began TO fiii along
..c swamp. The line OF men was now
In the open. lhey ssemed 30 be headed
In one direction, and IL was no, many
minutes before all the lights had run
together. Evelyn knew that the pris-
oner was In the center OF that cluster OF
torches. The shouting had died down
to q far-off murmur. Then into the yell
low, smoky glare the two observers saw
= white horse rearing and p!unging.
Presently the frightened animal
seemed under the control Of Its rider.
and loud. ringing voice like that Of an
experienced open-air speaker, broke
the stiffness.
ut !. he!" CAPPED Evelyn. and her
eyes seemed set In their socke.s as
she peered through the gloom. "0od
have mercy on him!"
Mrs. Lancaster's arm frightened round
the girls waist. but her voice lay dead
In her throat. The distance was too
great 10 distinguish the words OF the
speaker. but his stentorian tones
seemed to cut the dark intervening
space like knife. A. times a tempest
OF cries and yells would rise from the
mob and drown the leading voice: but
gradually. persis'entiy. IL wculd strug.
gle up 10 mastery again. This went
two on the veranda heard several loud
voices raised in threatening tones and
there was sharp ringing report OF a
pistol. The cluster OF lights widened
and the white horse was seen 10 plunge
away from the crowd. the beat OF his
hoofs being the only sound in the still
air.
ugh! Somebody hit dat time"
grunted old Ephraim. MY Lawd.
whut a pity!"
Evelyn gazed into the white face OF
her friend, her terrified eyes seek
.,.w a 49, a p.,,,a,so.' - 10, o,,.x so.r.
She could not frame the words for the
question In her heart. Mrs. Lancaster
did not know what to make OF II all.
but abe was afraid some calamity had
befal.en Ronald Fanshaw.
IL could not see II anyone was on
the horse as II broke away" she fall
tered.
II thought saw him fall off," said
Evelyn. "oh. Tiff he is dead"
Evelyn's voice broke. They were
both silent for few minutes and then
they saw the torches going ou, one
BY one. The people were going home,
There could be no doubt now. Some
thing had happened. Ronald's voice
wac heard no more; could II be stilled
Then they heard the trap re-
turning. The, two women advanced
to the steps as the horses were reined
In At the door. The occupants alight.
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