Evening star., 1902-01-25
| in the buggy, and without any explanation

ne allowed 4S foarRing horse TO crop INTO
walk. Th8 scene Awas plainly visible TO
them now-the people walking about under
| the trees in couples or in groups; the pig
platform up at the other end In piaze OF
light. where the seNhorters ana the choar
We're in full swing; the rows of auditors ex-
tending back from this; the mourners
bench with its Etupants; the squeaky
notes of malodebn, the hoarse cries OF
the refreshment vendors at the gate; ana
around all. like the stockade around
1aager, was q linsyof vehicles and horses
hitched to the encircling fence
Don't take off your veil, and stick close
to me-" muttered Dehus to Mabel, after ne
had picketed and blanketed the mare Then
he led her a. 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 worship
ing assemblage The exhorter was IN the
full tide Of his eloquence And-an, my
brethren-ah.' he was yoeifefatihs acaS,s say
unto you-ah, that you must-an, become
as one of these little oneS-ah-
| Mabel suddenly clutched Dehus py the
sleeve. "Jim,'' she whispered breathiessly,
there's the man that robbed paW-tne one
up on the mourners' bench with his race
in his hands. 1 know him by his blue suit
with the white stripe in it"
The sheriff pushed hastily 1orWaro
through the throng the girl following close
behind him. Just then two people rose
from the bench directly back OF his quarry
and he could not afford to OVERLOOK the OPP
portunity Barring the rush Tor the vacant
places with his strong right arm, ne thrust
Mabel into one of the seats and took the
other himself.
When the stir caused by their intrusion
had subsided, Dehus leaned forward until
his lips were on q level with the ear oi the
man in the blue suit.
Mr.. Story?" he murmured inquir1ngly:
There was no change In the attituoe oi
the mourner, but the sheriff glance inter ,
cepted 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 Il
wouldn't" he said sternly. nave you
both covered from my coat pocket Hands
upi'
The men were old at their trade, ana
they recognized that the game was up;
but the taller was not without an element
of grim humor. Besides, time might help
them; to create a turmoil in that crowded
assemblage would be fatal. Fray, ne
muttered to his companion. pray Lor your
soul, you miserable sinhert At the same
time he cIasped his hands above has mead
in an attitude of supplication. quick TO
seize the cue, his associate Immediately
followed suit.
The exhorter observed their action.
"Glory. Glory" he shouted You are
comm through, brothers! Pray; Pray!
The grace of the Lord will prevail! Even
though your sins be as scarlet
The sheriff chuckled with satisfaction
1T was worth while, playing hand Will
clever rogues like these. Consequently
there was something almost like defer
ence in his tone he repeated MS queS-
ton: Mr.. Story?"
The thief still spared for wind. His ex-
pectations of escape We're of the sllghtest,
but nevertheless delay was one of the rules
of the game His face wore an expression
OF Christian forbearance as he turned to-
ward this questioner who so perslstentIy
disturbed his devotiOnS.
You are mistaken, brother" he whisper
ed sweetly MY name is Henderson"
fnri0
Dehus steutly, but Story, this afternoon
down at old Simon Unger's.'
Who are your whispered the other
sulkily.
Dehus jerked back his coat and revealed
his badge. .'The sheriff of the county,
Then in quick. business-lke accents: NOW,
il you'll kindly tell me where old man IN
gers money is, III relieve you OF the
bother of looking after it.
Il haven't got it,
Dehus' face became adamant You lie.
If you want to keep out of trouble, youH
tell me, and you'll tell me quick
The man studied him moment through
half-closed lids. Il pass" he said, sullenly.
Right inside coat pocket"
Mabel, said Dehus in commiserating
tones, my hands are otherwise engaged.
VIII you give this poor sinner hymn book
and" he added, ''at the same time take
that bundle out of his pocket Don't you
move hair, you dog" he Missed, "or I'll
blow the topzof your head OFF,
The girl tremblingly~ but Skillfully COM
piled. and a minute later the transfer was
effected
Count it." commanded Dehus, still keep
ing a Watchful eye upon the men. The eX-
horter had passed them by for the present,
and was haranguing group upon the
other side of the stage. The auditors, even
those directly in the neighborhood, were ig-
norant of the little interlude enacted before
their eyes, interested were they in the
proceeding upon the platform, and so quiz
city had it been carried through.
Under the cover of her fan Mabel was
rustling the bills. Twice she made the
count; then she announced the result in a
tense whisper: 'Seven thousand dollars
Good enough responded Dehus, taking
the roll from her and placing it in his
bosom. Now, gentlemen, whenever you
get through prayin, you can go; but he
warned, "see that You are well out of this
country before sun-up tomorrow mornin'."
Almost incredulous of their good fortune
in getting off easily, the two scrambled
to their feet and rushed unanimously from
the scene. The eXhorter gaZZed after them
in stupefed amazement. He had thought
himself secure in those two conversions.
Fifteen minutes later old Simon arrived
at the grove. He strode up to a group
where Dehus and his daughter were gayly
jesting. and, seizing the girl by the arm,
started to drag her away. You come
along with me, miss he said, wrathfully
I'm show you that you can't disobey your
parents what raised you in God-fearin'
fashion an go tearin' off to monkey shows
with every worthless whelp t comes
along."
Dehus hurried after them "Oh, Mr.. I'm
ger!"' he painted. Don't you think you had
better take your money along with your"
He drew forth the package of greenbacks
and handed it to the old man
For the second time that night Simon was
dumfounded. He stood there shaking and
trembling, unable to realize this sudden re-
versal of fortunes wheel.
'sWhy-what-" he stammered
Dehus laughed. He was proud of his
achievement and he showed it. when
seen that letter from the thieves" he began
exultantly. Il recognized right away that the
paper it was wrote on came from Shriver's
Inn, so 1 knowed that they had been put
tim up there. 1t stood to reason that
they'd left some traps there behinds 'em.
an that they'd go back fur 'em; but like
wise 1t stood to reason that they wouldn't
stay long, fur they must knowed they
couldn't trust you not to open that box
for very long. anyway.
NOW where was the safest Mace fur
EN- to go? They was aware that a ceuple
O. strangers travelin' along in the evening
would be spotted on the road inside o. half
an hour and that all the little toxxns f,,c |