The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-03-27


house it came to me that the first
man seemed like Simpson, and that
one of the others, though, of course,
1 couldn't really see much at that dis
tance, had a face like that creature
who frightened us at the hop-dance.
went out to look again and they
were gone, so I came to the conclu-
sion that they must have leaped the
fence and taken a short cut back to
the yard, but when got to thinking
about it later, 1 couldn't help feeling
that it was strange, so hurried over
to tell you."
Parmelee pursed his lips and
seemed incredulous.
"If it want for Simpsons abb
sence," said he, 81 should set all this
down as foolishness, Miriam"
WASN'T Simpson by when father
started for Hintonville?" she asked,
"and didn't he hear father speak
about going to the bank for money
to pay the pickers, and say he meant
to return by Blue Creek road because
he wanted to speak with Ezra Merri-
man a minute"
"He was there, by the Eternall'
cried Parmelee, "for he brought the
horse out"
Sand you know Simpson owes IA
ther grudge for having him dis
charged last spring. Father said he
never would have let you take him
back if help hadn't been SO scarce %
continued Miss Merton, growing more
animated.
eff there's anythin' wrong" said
Parmelee, now awakening to the pos
sible seriousness of the situation,
"we're losin' valuable time. You'll
Gomez" he asked, turning to Rossiter.
"I'd rather have you along than any
one else know"
'I'm at your SERVICE" said Rossiter.
"You find Dick Whittlesey, Miriam.
and tell him to hitch on to the light
wagon with the yellow gear, and drive
towards Merriman's by the Blue
Creek road as fast as he can. Well
go across lots. If anythin's goin' to
happen it'll be at the dip"
Parmelee had suddenly thought of
the remains of the fire which Ros-
sitter and Becrait had seen near this
depression in the road.
"You know Sylvia went with fa-
ther," said Miss Merton as she hur-
ried away.
"By thunder, SO she did!" cried
Parmelee.
Rossiter's face grew very grave at
this news.
'You haven't revolver, have you?"
he asked.
"No; I wish to heaven I had!" ex-
claimed the farm manager. "There's
a shotgun at the kiln, but it's so
heavy it'd be more hindrance than
use."
Parmelee paused long enough at
the barn to catch up the ox-goad,
then he led the way down through
the orchard. The dog-trot pace he
set hardly satisfied the impatient Ros-
sitter, but he ventured no comment,
realizing that Parmelee was the bet
ter judge of time and distance. The
latter was inclined to drink at the
spring, but his companion restrained
him, telling him water was a poor
stay for what they might have in
hand. Swerving from the logging
road at the glade, they struck off al
most at right angles. Progress was
slower now, yet they did not relax
into walk until they approached a
fence beyond which the bank of the
branch of the Blue Creek glen pitched
abruptly. Up to this time they had
exchanged but few words.
I've been thinkin' it out" said
Parmelee, leaning for a breathing
space against the top fence-rail, "an'
l guess we'd better part here, so that
you can hit the dip on one side and 1
on the other. If you follow this fence
you'll come out in a pasture about
300 yards from the road; then if
they're in sight you can shout, and
wave 'em to stop. I'll cross the glen
here, and thatIl land me on the other
side of the dip. In case everythin's
not all right, it may advantage us
more to have you appearin' from one
way an me from the other. You'll
have little farther to go, but take
it you're a good bit speedier than
am. How does the plan strike you?"
"As excellent" answered Rossiter.
"All right, then," said Parmelee,
''we're off" and he put his foot upon
the lower rail.
Here and there, as Rossiter sped
on, the sunlight lay in little golden
splashes upon moss and bracken, but
mostly his track lay through soft,
cool, green shade. The ground was
high and dry, and, though the trees
set thickly, there was scarcely any
underground to impede his progress.
His blood sang in his veins, and he
was keyed to the height of action.
He leaped across hollows, sprang over
fallen logs and vaulted cross-fences
with the light-heartedness of one
Fastening to tryst. His thought
did not include Mr.. Merton, nor did
It take into account the possibility of
harm Detailing the one whom he was
speeding to guard. Neither did he
harbor any dream in his mind that
to him aught could accrue from any
aid he might give to the girl whose
gracious loveliness had grown to be
so much to him. He was filled with
the pure joy of serving. That alone
impelled him.
At length. the forest grew thinner,
and he saw before him the open field
and beyond it the Blue Creek road.
Continued on 9Th Page.)