Graham guardian., 1900-06-01
CHAPTER VIII.

The greater part OF that day the man
&uniers were beating the swamp for the
escaped prisoner. The coloners house
Aoid was under a s,resA Of excitement
Chat wore sharply ON the nerves of the
eadies. who momen,arily expected to
Gear Of the capture. Grim curiosity had
draws u-ariy all the negroes 10 the
swamp. and the plantation presented u
deserted aspect that had not rested up
on u since the close o! the civil war.
Abcui noon Capt. Wrinkle. who had been
riding from one point OF observation to
another. came In to rest and refresh
AinSrif at the punch-bowl OF his host.
THE rascal certainty has given them
Nbe slip SD far" he said, with unmasked
discomfort. 10 the colonel and he ladies
On the vernnda. IA he spoke his glance
was bent aesignediy on Evelyp's face.
o. was a. 1.-The were deliberately trying
% shock her. well knowing how she Eel,
ON the matter. "The sheriff think. he
ts tying under water somewhere with
only Ills uoss out. They are going
through the swamp again after dinner.
Aowevev. and then they will come his
way We can see !, all nn this side. The
tiue OF men il two miles long; and they
Gave sent for pair of bloodhoundf!"
''iIioodhounds!" cried Evelyn. why.
they will tear him 30 pieces"
syinkte smiled broadly over the sue
eea OF bis eoarseness. but he said moth.
ane.
ssH l~n.., ...f.h IA ....-. ,xa. - ...a. ~ -
cline Hasbrooke's contribution 10 the
conversation; these things are so dis
gussing!"
Evelyn fixed the captain with con.
tempiu uous gaze.
'i.at the man may BE- ss innocent as
sou arc" burst from her lips. IL
mean." she added. spitefully. "as inno-
cent as you are Of killing the old ~om-
an."
gyinkie bit his lower lip and twisted
Dis mussache. He gave her his eyes
thresteningly for moment. and then
eook another tack.
''fsaiLaw certainly IN making him
eeif conspicuous enough. He's running
around shouting like ran,ing parson
a. revival. but these sturdy men take
90 notice OF him whatever"
The shot told on Evelyn. In the pres
ence Of her father. she dreaded the dis
closure that Winkle. In his anger might
make with regard TO her intimacy with
Ronald: but the Old gentleman paid no
Geed 20 their innuendoes.
''iie certainly Is foolhardy." he Joined
In. "bu, 10 save me can but admire
che fellows courage. Why" the colonel
snapped his fat fingers. "if he keeps
Oat sort Of thing up, OF tries to inter
fere when the man is caught, wouldn't
give n pinch OF snuff for his life. Some
chap like Sgd Hart would draw bead
on him. and be proud Of II till the end
OF his days"
Then Mrs. Lancaster came and pu.
Aer arms round Eveiyns waist.
Don, act hastily. my dear" was her
whispered warning; and she drew the
giri 10 the other end of the yeranda.
ADont sou see what he wantsg" she
asked: "he is trying TO rouse your ia
Ger's suspicious"
About five o'clock the occasional
shouts In the swamp grew louder and
oearer. and into them was suddenly
Blended the ominous baying OF dogs.
"The h0undsl" announced the
colonel. iragicaily.
"And they are out for business" gles-
fully added the captain: "thsy are
Aeaded this way"
Evelyn and Mrs, Lancaster stood lean
eng against the balusirade. their faces
towards the swamp,
"Come inside, dear" said the latter.
alt viii do no good 10 witness H."
iiut our young lady only shook her
Gead.