Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-03-06
CHAPTER XXu.-CoYrrNuEp.

up to this afternoon at Ave no
trace of them has been found" said
Loring. Day after tomorrow that
safe-opener should reach us. II YOU
have influence with Col. Stevens you
should urge him to have . guard at
the quartermasters depot, even if he
had TO strip the fort The general
cannot be reached by wire"
Why" asked Folsom, looking up
In alarm. "You don't suppose he'd
come back to rob his own Office
He Ia not the man 10 take risk.
but there are those with him not so
careful, and the hand that sent Bird
sails gang in chase of Dean could
send them here, with the safe-k key
Those few clerks and employees would
lie no match for them
BY hNsven, / believe you're right"
cried Folsom. (Which way are you
going now?''
Back to the hotel by way of the
depot" was the answer. ''Will YOU
go?"
One moment. ] do not travel about
Just now without II gun" said Folsom,
stepping within doors. and even the
low sound of their voices died away and
eli was still as desert The old trader
did not return at once. Something de-
tOined him-M Miss Folsom. proba bly,.
reasoned the engineer, as he stood
there leaning on the gate. Aloft a
blind creaked audibly, and, gazing up
ward, Loring saw n dark, shadowy
shutter at the third-story window
swing slowly in. There was no wind to
move II. Why should human hands be
so stealthY? Then a dim light shonc
through the Stats, and the shade was
raised. and. while calmly watching
the performance. Loriug became aware
of a dim. faint, PARKWAY click of
horses hoofs at the gallop, coming
from the north. "If that were from the
eastward, now" thought he. at might
bring stirring news" But the sound
died away after a moment, as though
the rider had dived into sandy soil.
Just then Folsom reappeared. 81 had
20 explain 10 my daughter. She is most
reluctant to have me go out at night
just now"
Naturally" said Loring. calmly.
And have you been way up 10 the
third story? I suppose Miss Folsom
has gone 10 her room"
The girls have, both Of them-bu,
not TO the third story. That's Mrs
Fletcher's ro0rRss
"Ah. yes. The wbBan j believe. who
accidentally scared Nour horse ana
threw you?"
The very one" he wcred. "Im
blessed If I know what should have
taken her out at that hour. She saws
enc needed air and "a walk. but why
should She have chosen the back-gatc
and the alley As a way o air and sun
shinc?"
Would YOU mind taking me through
that way asked the engineer. sud
Denly. ITS tho short cut to the depot.
J understand"
Why. certainly. l. hadn't thought Of
THAT said Folsom. Come right on %
And so while tho hoofboats up tho
road grew louder. the two turned
quickly back to tho rear Of the bis
irame house. That coming horse
Orings news" muttered L0rina TO him
selt as he turned the corner. we can
head him of. but want 10 see thi>
situation first"
Looking away southeastusrd from
the porch Of Fois sons homestead. one
could sec ID the daytime vista OF
shinglcd roofs and open Yards. a broad
valley, with q corral and inclofures OH
the southern edge OF the town. but mo-.
. tree. Tonight only dim black sbsd-
eWs told whore roof and chime,
stood. and not a sign could they sec
% the depot Loring curiously gazcL
sloft at the rear and side window. of
the third story. They command quite
view. ] suppose" said hc. and even a.
BE spoke he sash OF the southca. E
room was softly raised. the blind
swung slightly outward That woman
uatchinr, and listening again. And IL
was she w=osc sudden aud startling ~.
pearance ~ the roar gate had led to
Folsom throw so carly the morning
Burleigh and his mysterious frienG
we're found uissing from their quar-
ssrn Just alter dawn. the yery Morning