The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1900-01-04
The World Against Him
BY WILL N. HARDEN.
Copyright, igD. by
AN. Kcliosg Newspaper Company.
CHAPTER vIIr.-CoxrrSrEp.

Inc FnOt IOlN on l.NClND' w lnt IECf-
cncc of her father. she dreaded the dis
closure that Winklc. in his anger, might
make with regard 10 her intimacy with
Ronald: but the old gentleman paid no
heed TO their innucndocs.
"Ilc certainly is foolhardy," joined
81: but TO save me / can but admire
the fellows courage. Why" the colonel
slapped his fat fingers, III he keeps
that sort Of thing up, or tries TO inter
fsre when the man is caught, wouldn't
give a pinch of snufr for his life. Some
chap like sgd Hart would draw bead
on him, and be proud of It till the end
of his days"
Then Mrs. Lancaster came nrd rr.-
her arms round Evclyn's waist.
Don't act hastily, my DEAR" was her
whispered warning; and abe drew the
girl TO the other end Of the verandn.
Don't you see what he wants." she
asked; "hc is trying TO rouse your ia
Tiers suspicions."
About five o'clock the occasional
shouts in the swamp grew louder and
nearer, and into them was suddenly
blended the ominous baying OF dogs.
"The houndsl" announced the
colonel, tragically.
"And they are out for business" rlcc-
fully added the captain; they are
headed this way"
Evelyn ard Mrs. Lancaster stood lean
ing against the baiustradc, their faces
towards the swamp.
"Conc inside, dear" said the latter.
1T will do no good TO witness it,"
But our young lady only shook her
head.
After few minutes the shouting and
baying OF the hounds died down. The
colonel gave II as his opinion that they
we're of the track, but that IL was only
q 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
tnin-sides looked like glaciers. The
landscape took on delicate veil OF
gray. Objects in the distance began TO
assume vague shapes. The dark out
lines of the swamp were fast merging
into the night.
"They have been taking zig-zag
| course" proclaimed Uasbrooke from
his end Of the veranda. THE rascal
will be us timber rs a rag when he IL
treed. There are no two ways about IL;
it's all up with him; the darkness will
no, be IN his favor; nothing but blood
will satisfy the fury of that mob"
"Do you mean that the sheriff will
not he able 10 control thcm?" quericd
Mrs. Lancaster, who had begun TO walk
about ncryously.
He'd have To have a lot of backbone
to even try it," answered her host.
"IIc'd be knocked ont like n straw in 4
hurricane; murdercrs Of old women
stand 40 chance with these crude An
glo-SaxoEs.'
Ithad grown dark, save for the light Of
the moon, which had just risen and
loomed up like huge confagration be-
yond the tree-tops. For yet half an
hour only an intermittent shout or the
sudden outburst of barking was heard
from the swamp, but each time the
sounds were nearer. Old Ephraim, us II
anticipating his masters desires, drove
round the horses and trap.
~ good idea" approved the colonel;
gentlemen. we might rs well get near
er. l think know where they will
come out. "
"By all means" cried the captain,
with enthusiasm. lie was the frat 10
get a seat in the vehicle, and was fol-
lowed by his host and MIR. Hardy.
When the trap had gone, Miss Has
brooke retired to her room with some
complaining allusion to her nerves, and
Evelyn and MIRA. Lancaster remained on
the ycranda. guarded only by the old me-
gro. who stood like sentry on duty at
the foo, OF the steps.
"Oh. Mrs. Lancaster" exclaimed Ey-
elyn, II feel as IL he is going into dan
g,r--t!at they will kill him!"
For u moment the old woman made
no response, and when she did II was
with evident emotion.
Il pray God that he may not be
harmed" Her tone was almost u
prayer IN itself.
The baying and shouting were now
very near. Half a mile away torch
lights like freilies began to fit along
the swamp. The line OF men was now
In the open. They seemed to be headed
In one direction. and IL was not 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 far-oif murmur. Then into the yell
low. smoky glare the two observers saw
white horse rearing and plnnging.
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.
at Is he!" gasped Evelyn, and her
eyes seemed set In their sockets rs
shc pcered through the gloom. GOD
have mercy on him!"
Mrs. Lancaster arm tightened round
the girls waist. but her voice lay dead
In her throat. The distance was too
great to distinguish the words OF the
speaker, but his steniOran tones
seemed to cut the dark Intervening