The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-26

Methony D;micrat 70 put salt on their
tails"
A twinkle of amusement flashed into
the sheriffs gray eyes as he took
quick determination. Then, with APP
parent unconcern, he said. 20, well. if
that's the way you feel about it there's
no use wastin' amy more time Come
ON, Mabel; if we don't be gettin to
the meetin'. Wen be late"
The girl looked up at him in quick
surprise. Did he really intend TO de-
sert her father In so grievous plight =?
His eyes were answering and question:
irg her at the same time. Would she
trust him, they said: would she share
a risk which promised success, but
which might result in failure? With
out a word she picked up her hat
and together they started for the door
Old Simon stood fairly aghast at this
abandonment He had never for a
moment supposed that the sheriff
would take his words literally Yet
here he was, deserting him, and not
only that, but taking off the old man S
daughter with him Mabel" roared
Unger, You come back here | forbid
you to go with that scalawag"
Dehus was assisting the girl into his
buggy. He felt her falter. PAY no
attention to him." he whispered. TITS
for his sake t I'm takin' you along
Turning her head she smiled trust
ingly up at him, and clambered into
the vehicle. second later Dehus had
leaped in beside her. sharp cut of
the whip, a shake of the reinS and his
fleet-footed mare was speeding down
the roadway-out under the trees
which now stood dim and ghostlike in
the dusky grove-while fainter and
fainter behind them came the storm of
objurgation and abuse that the old
man was pouring out from the door
step.
1T is a good eight miles from simon
Unger's to the grove where the camp
meeting was in progress. but as they
came in sight of the place, with its
flaring kerosene lamps casting vivid
shadows among the trees and it's rooms
of Chinese lanterns lending a festival
aspect, DehuS snapped open his watch
"F'orty minutes" he said nonchalantly
Not so bad for the old mare with
heavy buggy and two people,
Only once had they stopped, and that
was for just a minute at wayside
hostelry known as the Shrver's Inn.
about half mile before they reached
the grove. Here Dehus had sprung
out, hurried up to the desk, and after
glancing at the register, held a brief
WHISPERED colloquy with the clerk. Then
he came out, resumed his seat in the
had driven ON.
AS they approached the campmeet-
ing. he allowed his foaHning horse to
drop into a walk. The scene was
plainly visible to them now--the people
walking about under the trees in cou-
pies or in groups; the big platform UP
ait the other end in a blaze of light,
where the exhorters and the choir were
in full swing; the rows of auditors exs
tending back from this; the moulmers'
bench with its occupants; the squeaky
notes of q melodeon; the hoarse cries
of the refreshment vendors at the
gate; and around all, like the stockade
around a laager, was line of vehicles
and horses hitched to the encircling
fence.
Don't take off your veil, and stick
close to me- muttered Dehus to Ma
bel, after he had picketed and blanket
ed the mare. Then he led her long
and weary chase about the grounds;
but nowhere did he strike pay gravel
for his pains.
He and Mabel found themselves at
last standing on the outskirts of the
worShiping assemblage. The exhorter
was in the full tide of his eloquence.
"And-ah, my brethren-ah," ne was
vociferating, II say unto you-ah, that
you must-ah become as one of these
little ones-ah--''
the sleeve. "Jim,' she whispered
breathlessly, there's the man that
robbed paw-the one up on
the mourners' bench with his
face in his hands. 1 know him
by this blue shirt with the white stripe
in it,
The sheriff pushed hastily forward
through the throng, the girl following
close behind him. Just then two peo-
pie rose from the bench directly back
of his quarry and he could not afford
to overlook the opportunity. Barring
the rush for the vacant places with his
strong right arm, he thrust Mabel into
one of the seats and took the other
himself.
When the stir caused by their intru-
sion had subsided. Dehus leaned for
with the ear of the man in the blue
suit.
"Mr. Story?" he murmured, inquir-
ingly.
There was no change in the attitude
of the mourner, but the sheriff's glance
intercepted a quick tremor as it ran
along the jaw. The little man sitting
next to Story stealthily slid his hand
toward his hip.
Dehus touched him on the arm. 'I
wouldn't" he said sternly. 81 have you
DOIn covered from my coat pocket.
Hands up?"
The men were old at their trade, and
they recognized that the game was up;
but the taller was not without an elc-
ment of grim humor. Beside, time
might help them; to create a turmoil
in that crowded assemblage would be
fatal. Pray" he muttered to his COM
pion, pray for your soul, you mis-
erable sinneri" At the same time he
elapsed his hands above his head in an
attitude of supplication. Quick to seize
the cue, his associate Immediately fol-
lowed suit.
The exhorter observed their action.
GLORY! Glory" he shouted. you are
comm through, brothers Pray! Pray!
The grace of the Lord will prevaill
Even though your sins be as scar
let"
The sheriff Suckled with satisfaction.
1t was worth while, playing a hand
with clever rogues like these. Conse-
quently there was something almost
like Difference in his tone as he re-
peated his question: "Mr. Story"
The thief still spared for wind. His
expectations of escape were of the
slightest but nevertheless delay was
one of the rules of the game. His face
wore an expression Of Christian for
bearance as he turned toward the ques-