The National tribune., 1903-11-26

incest kind of u man."
He wuz,a gambler"
II know that's some o the stories they
tell on him. but they were slanders."
ISLANDERS! why, / know it. 1 have seen
him myselfdg gwine up an down the river
gambling"
We'll, you only thought he wuz; you
don't know; fit."g
'Fhe fellow who did it was an internal
Revenue, and he'll hang yet. III bet my
head for a foot ball he hangs"
You're prejudiced."
mo, I'm, not, believe in right bein'
right, and this Frank Vernon'll swing il
we get hold o him."
Frank Vernon felt rather uneasy. The
strangers had let out enough to convince
him that a. Revenue officer need expect
no mercy from them.
Il will leave at once" he decided.
The man called Jerry watched him
closely as he rode of, and turning to his
companion said excitedly:
Il bet that's himT
"Pshaw, Jerry, yer losin' yer head"
No, | aint; that's the man We want"
By this time Vernon was galloping over
the hill, and was soon out of sight.
What ye gwine to do, jerry"
"Foller him."
"Yer fool"
"No, there's reward of $500 for him" !"
"Yes, offered by blamed moonshiners.
money"
Bet l will. I'll have that feller in
limbo afOre mornin' if l can ketch him"
Jerry ordered a saddle horse at once,
then vert to his room and got pair of
revolyers and knife and started in pur-
suit of the unsuspecting Frank.
The young Revenue officer wholly by
accident gave his pursuer the slip, and
spent the night with friend. who was
playing the part of 'squatter" in some
of the wild lands of Kentucky.
His pursuer went on, and becoming
completely lost, had to camp until morn
ing. 1t was at the close of the second day
that Frank Vernon came upon the Bunkels
home.
The sun had set, but it was not yet
dark when he drew rein in front of the
house and dismeunted. He had not been in
the house 10 minutes when the man called
Jerry came by at brisk canter. He saw
the horse, noted the house, and galloped
on. When out of sight he spurred at full
speed toward the County Seat to secure
the aid of the Sheriff.
70. Frank, is it you?' cried Lille meet
ing him on the porch.
Yes, Miss Lille; could not stay away
longer"
"You had better be getting out of the
State. Why-don't you know the officers
are searching everywhere for you? 1t is
utter madness for you to stay here" she
declared emphatically.
1T can't be very serious, Lille" remon-
strated Vernon.
1T will be very serious. it will break
your neck, il they get you," she cried, her
eyes sparkling with excitement I'VE
have had a wedding here, and We don't
want it followed by funeral"
He smiled family, and she could not but
remark how pale and weak he seemed.
You look faint and you have Travelled
n long distance; you must have tea at
once"
At last it was ready. 1t was nearly
dark. Mrs. Flaxman and Lille both sat
at the table with him, and both questioned
him closely. o
u am a Revenue officer" he explained.
II was at Tom N6lan's saloon in disguise
on professional business. From his sa-
loon is shipppd nearly all the illicitly-dis-
titled liquor omaae in that neighborhood. |
r'ha'd' learned this by long, ,Aearefnl. watch |
ing, and Disgusting myself went there for |
the purpose G5of gaining certain proofs |
necessary, before making arrests This !
man | am charged with killing was |
gambler. Tesciied him from drowning
when the steamer burned, and he repaid |
ne by entering the saloon denouncing me
as a spy, and knocking off my hat and wig, J
before l made anreffort TO defend myself.
It was my life or his, and all did was
II self-defense,' 9i;q M
His story MAS only just ended when
he NEGRO bOysRtm came rushing into, the
his eyes big as saucers.
"Missus, de Sheriff an a whole passel
}, men am at de stiles comm in; all got
,uIns an pistils, like um gwine ter hurt
Lille knew what this invasion meant,
md acted quickly. .,.
Go hide in the cellar. Frank! They
laYe come to capture you"
loceAce, and that he did not fear the Off
ers, He was forced into the cellar, and
he ladies', meeting the officers at the door,
enied that Vernon was in the house.
Mrs. Flaxman, who proved to be a lady
f excellent tact, invited the officers to
earch ;he house. and delayed them all
he possibly could by talking to them, and
ageriy opening closet doors. Lille slip
'ed away, opened an outside cellar door,
nd called to the prisoner to follow her
uietly. Your horse is in the barn, get
i'm and ride for your life Don't stop
While on Kentucky SOIL"
"Lillie, / can never repay you
"Oh, don't talk about pay. Pay me by
ying from here"-
81 must see you
"You'll see a Jail if you don't co."
'Lillie, let me write to you"
"Yes-go."
There was quick, nervous pressure OF
ands, and then Frank ran across the
ard and eaping rail fence, found Tom
olding his horse for him
"Now. boss" said the negro, clay on de
rhip when open de big gate. Dat gate
queak awful, an when dey heah it, de +,
ohiI will he 10 nav" n
Frank vauted in the saddle and hold
ng the rein tightly. raised his riding whip.
'om laid hold Of the gate and with n
Mighty jerk swung it wide open. 1t gave
ut a yowl like an en-aged panther and
ould be heard q mile. u
"Thar he goes-thar he goesv' yelled
he angry man-hunters, running out on
he piazza Just in time to see Frank Yer /
on gallop out of the lot into the big
Dad, and half a dozen shots rang out,
MT the bullets whizzed harmlessly over ,
is head. 1t was now quite dark and Ver-
ons chance for escape seemed good. ,
(To be continued)