The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-05-10

ssThe very onei@ he answered IN
blessed II I know what should have
taken her out at that hour. She says
she needed air and walk, but why
should she have chosen the baclz-gate
and the alley as way to air and sun
shinee'
would you mind taking me through.
that way7n asked the en- ineer, sud-
denly. Its the short cut to the depot.
I understand
why, certainly. hadn't thought Of
that, said Folsom. "COme right on .
And 50 while the hoofbeats up the
road grew louder. the two turned
1 quickly back to the rear OF the big
frame house. THAT coming horse
brings news" muttered Loring 10 him
self, as he turned the corner. I'VE can
head him of, but want to see this
situation first"
Looking away sontheastv ward from
the porch of Folsom's homestead. one
could see in the daytime vista Of
shingled roofs and open yards, broad
valley. with corral and Enclosures on
the southern edge of the town, but not
tree, Tonight only dim black shad-
ows told where roof and chimney
stood, and not sign could they see
Of the depot. Loring curiously gazed
aloft 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 II
was she whose sudden and startling ap-
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
ing, 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, a whistle sounded--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 a single name; "Georgel"
And without, in the alley a voice am
swered: II am herel open quiclSl"
Swear that you are alonel"
ooh, stop that damned nonsensel 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 note2" he began. you know
what's happened?"
But woman's muffied scream was
the answer. With a spring like a 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.
"Mercyl Mercy" she cried. at is
all my fault. sent for him."
"Talse your hands off, damn you, or
you'll pay for this!" cried the UNDER