The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-07-26

'sThe very one!n he answered. 'T'm
blessed If / know what should have
taken her out at that hour, She says
she needed air and walk, but why
should she have chosen the bacI-gate
and the alley as way to air and sum
shine9s
Would you mind taking me through
that way9" asked the engineer, sud
denly TITS the short cut to the depot,
/ understand"
"Why, certainly. I hadn't thought Of
that" said Folsom. "Come right on"
And so while the hoofbeats up the
road grew louder, the two turned
quickly back TO the rear Of the big
frame house. THAT coming horse
brings news" muttered Loring to him
self, as he turned the corner. I'VE can
head him OF, but I want TO see this
situation first"
Looking away southeastVard from
the porch of Folsom's homestead. one
could see In the daytime a vista of
shingled roofs and open yards, broad
valley with a corral and Enclosures on
the southern edge Of the town, but not
a tree, Tonight only dim black shad-
ows told where roof and chimney
stood, and not a sign could they see
Of the depot. Loring curiously gazed
Rloft at the rear and side windows Of
the third story. They command quite
a view, | suppose, said he, and even as
he spoke the sash OF the southeast
room was softly raised, the blind
swung slightly outward. That woman
watching and listening again! And it
was she whose sudden and startling APP
pearance at the rear gate had led to
Folsom's throw so early the morning.
Burleigh and his mysterious friend
were found missing from their quar-
ters just after dawn--the very morning
Dean, with his treasure package and
little escort, rode forth from Emory on
that perilous mission-the very morn
ing that Birdsall and his murderous
gang set forth from Gate City In pur- !.
suit.
And now those hoofbeats up the
road were coming closer. and Fol-
som, too, could hear and was listen
ingY even while studying Loring's
face. Suddenly faint CLEAN shot
across the darkness overhead. Glanc'
ing quickly upward, both men, deep
in the shadow, saw that the eastern
window on the southern side was
lighted up. Out in the alleyway low
yet clear, whistle soInded-twice.
Then came cautious footsteps down
the back stairs. The bolt Of the rear
door was carefully drawn. A wom-
ans form, tall and shrouded in a long
cloak, came swiftly forth and sped
down the garden walk to the rear gate.
Come on, quickl" murmured the en-
gineer, and on tiptoe, wondering, the |
two men followed. They saw her halt |
at the barred gate. Low, yet distinct
she spoke single name; "George!"
And without, in the alley voice an
swered: Il am herel open quickl"
Swear that you are alonel"
"Oh, stop that damned nonsenseI OF |
course I'm alonel" was the sullen re-
ply, and at the sound Of the voice Lor-
ing seemed fairly to CULVER The gate
was unbarred. A mans form, slender
and shadowy, squeezed in and seemed
peering cautiously about. "You got
my note?" he began. "You know
what's happened?"
But a woman's muffled scream was
the answer. With a spring like cat
Loring threw himself ON the intruder
and bore him down In an instant Fol-
som had barred the gate, and the wom-
an, moaning, fell upon her knees.
''Mercy Mercy" she cried. "It is
I'll my fault. ] sent for him."
Take your hands off, damn you, or
you'll pay for thisl" cried the UNDER