Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-22
CHAPTER VIII.

The greater part of that day the man
hunters were beating the swamp for the
escaped prisoner. The colonel's house
hold was under q stress of excitement
that wore sharply on the nerves of the
ladies', who momentarily expected to
hear of the capture. Grim curiosity had
drawn nearly all the negroes TO the
swamp, and the plantation presented n
deserted aspect that had not rested up
on it since the close of the civil war.
About noon Capt. Wrinkle, who had been
riding from one point of observation 10
another, came in to rest and refresh
himself at the punch bowl of his host
"The rascal certainly has given them
the slip SO far he said, with unmasked
discomfort, to the colonel and the ladies
on the veranda. As he spoke his glance
was bent designedly on Evelyn's face.
1t was as if he were deliberately trying
10 shock her, we'll knowing how she felt
on the matter. "The sheriff thinks he
is lying Ender water somewhere with
only his nose out. They are going
through the swamp again after dinner.
however, and then they will come his
way. We can see ii all on this side. The
line of men is two miles long; and they
have sent for n pair of bloodhounds"
"Bloodhounds!" cried Evelyn. why,
they will tear him TO pieces"
Wrinkle smiled broadly over the sue
cess of his coarseness, but he said moth.
ing.
II know wish 1t were over" was Car
oline Hasbrooke's contribution to the
conversation; these things are SO dis
gusting!"
Evelyn fixed the captain with con
tempiuous gaze.
but the man, may be as innocent as
you are" burst from her lips. 81
mean," she added, spitefully, "as inno-
cent as you are OF killing the old wom-
an"
Wrinkle bit his lower lip and twisted
his mustache. He gave her his eyes
threateningly for moment, and then
took another tack.
"Fanshaw certainly is making him
self conspicuous enough. He's running
around shouting like a ranting parson
at revival, but these sturdy men take
no notice of him whatever
The shot told on Evelyn. In the pres
ence of her father she dreaded the dis
closure that Wrinkle, in his anger, might
make with regard TO her intimacy with
Ronald; but the old gentleman paid no
heed to their innuendoes.
He certainly is foolhardy," he Joined
in; "but to save mel can but admire
the fellows courage. Why" the colonel
snapped his fat fingers, 'if he keeps
that sort of thing up, or tries to inter-
fere when the man is caught, wouldn't
give a pinch of snuff 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 and pu:
her arms round Evelyn's waist.
Don't act hastily, my dear" was her
whispered warning; and she drew the
girl to the other end of the veranda.
Don't you see what he wants?" she
asked; "he is trying 10 rouse your fa-
theirs suspicious"
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 hounds!" announced the
colonel, tragically.
and they are out for business" glee-
fully added the captain; they are
headed this way"
Evelyn and Mrs. Lancaster stood lean
ing against the balustrade, their faces
towards the swamp.
Come inside, DEAR" said the Inter.
ut will do no good 10 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 it as his opinion that they
were off the track, but that it was only
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 againstthe noun
tain-sides looked like glaciers. The
landscape took on a! delicate veil of
gray. Objects In the distance began to