Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-07-03

CHAPTER xvI-contlnued.
BY J. MAcLAREN coBBAN.

the remains were those Of their own
maetcrl What could dor Had |
broken my promise to fraulein Haae7
Was | helping even now 10 make pub
lie stelnhardt'R eFime2 Was / not
standing assenting by while q terrible
yengeanoe was threatened on the for
oigneF In tho deep, slow Lancashire
specehS | felt helpless In the crisis; l
permitted myself TO be borne along
whittier II might carry me.
In very few minutes the canvas
packages, dropping almost TO pieces,
were out OF the ground and laid In
silence on n hand barrow. In silence
the improvised bier was taken mp be-
tween two mon, and as II was carried
away attended by the lanterns the
crowd, az by instinct, formed In process
sion behind. | was surprised TO find
myself In front OF this strange funeral
procession and close 10 tho bier. Thus
in silence we marched away from the
ruined mill through the tortuoas and
treacherous ways which led 10 the VIII
lage.
He's got an experiment on hand to-
night, they say" remarked one In a
low voice.
"Ay," said another; "and there's a
night shift ON Of i've or six"
Az we entered upon the paved main
street OF the village, the regular clank
OF the clogs OF our procession WAS sutti-
cient OF itself 20 attract attention.
But though II was very late, the streets
were alivo with people, not noisy, as
might have been expected on a wake
night, but earnest and occupied. II
was a novel, but true, "fimpcrlcy
Wakes" for the whole population
seemed as,ir. Our procession created
little or no surprise; IL appeared TO
have been expected. We were greeted
with no speech or cries. but heard
now and then fearful whispers OF "Who
IL III" and "They cannot tell yet. "
Many Of the crowd fell into the process
sion as 1t slowly passed up the street.
There was no tavern open at that late
hour TO which the bier could 10 taken
for examination, so II was carried to
the door OF the public hall--which was
soon opened, liz up, anil full Of people,
as 1t had been earlier in the evening.
have no clear recollection OF what
followed. appealed TO them not to
open the packages; knew who IL was.
But got only the obstinate, but re-
spectful answer, "Yea, parson, but we
num-" The packages were opened
but know only had horrible vision
OF CHASTITY head with black hair and
beard.
GOOD Id" heard more than one
exClaim. "Tt's tn mlster!?"
His men had recognized Mr.. Lacroix,
Hurried and fierce consultations were
held, To which was not invited, and
upon which did not force myself. In
few minutes tho whole crowd, except
a few who remained TO watch over the
ghastly remains, marched out of the
hall as II with settled purpose. ac-
companied them with no purpose at oil
Of my own; my will seemed absorbed
In that Of the crowd. We were on our
way down the village street, when |
was startled by the church bell begin
ming TO toll: some venturesome spirit
had forced his way into the tower.
To explain what followed l must
mention here that for some weeks many
of the work people, the younger folk
especially, had been under the influ-
enre OF those hysterical, revivalistiC
teachings which have always taken
such hold OF the ignorant and the hall
educated. A contingent OF the Saliva
tion Army had held the village for
some time, preaching fire and sword,
the terrible justice of God, and the
pains OF everlasting torment to the un.
believing. This kind oI doctrine accord
ed we'll with the grim, tenacious Lanca-
shire character, and the army had won
a good many recruits among the viii
layers. These were we'll represented in
the crowd accompanied.
Before quite knew where we were
we had halted at the gates OF the chem
ical works. Without word the fore
most of the crowd knocked. There
was, OF course, no answer, and they
knocked again, While we waited I lis
tened mechanically to the talk which
those about me began In their slow
fashion to indulge in.
"God Almighty" said one, "is ter.
rible TO a wicked man like himl"
'"Yea," said another, "and wicked
he is! You mind what Muster Free,
man told us that time; it's the likes
OF Steenhardt has made US such sinners
as we are, and has made ourplace what
it isl An he connot do wi'out mur'
dering his partner, poor mani"
"He'll ha' his proper death for =,
sure as Gods truel" said third.
"Yea, "said the first, "and Gods
wrath will not wait for terrible sin
ner like himl"
In little while there was the sound
OF bolts being drawn, and the watch
man appeared at the side gate. Wher
he saw the crowd he would have shu
1t again, but he was prevented. Sew.
eral entered that way and opened wide
the great gates. The crowd entered
without commotion. and marched ahead
as if it knew it's destination. From 9
shed filled with glowing vapors, came
half dozen workmen--the night shift
supposed. They met their comrades
and demanded what was to do. They
were answered by the man who ,hat
insisted to me that the packages mus
be examined.
"What's to dor" he said. ego dC
not know? We mum ha' that murder
ing villain. Steenhardt, out; yea, but
we mum What's he done2 He's beer
and murdered horribly poor Master
Lacroiks-yo' shall hear q about it