Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-10-28
Copyright. 1892, by G. w. Dillingham; Co.


had risen and faced him:
ct seems that it is not enough that
Paul should be forbidden our house, -
said she, with strangely calm and con-
trolled manner, but this afternoon
father babe me pack my trunk and be
ready to go to Aunt Margaret to-mor-
row. l have obeyed him, and tonight
I shall tell him that came here to bid
Paul good-by." Then with bowed head
she hurried away.
What was the promise, Paul?''
asked Benton after a moment of ST.
lence
81 told Elinor and I tell you, Fred,
that if I had any idea that duty de-
manded my going back to the land OF
my birth-it is ended. If people will
only let me stay in peace-my place lie
here"
Good God, PAUL." was the almost
exultant answer. What load you've
lifted from my mind! What a faceI
this will be to McKinnon!"
And so perhaps it might have been
had it become known to him and to
the public that evening before he had
finished his imprisoned speech and
had exhibited a certain letter, but even
as they sat there, hand in hand, the
sound of cheering grew fierce and fire.
quent On the broad veranda sat Eli
nor looking at the dim light up the
street where dwelt the Ladues, and lis
tening to the cheering that told unerr-
ingly the stirring effect of the speakers
words.
Away to the west, down in the val
ley of the river, a confused murmur
rose upon the night Then to her
amaze came Fred to the front gate
half lifting, half leading a slim-built,
reluctant youth whose voice she knew
on the instant. You must, Paul." she
heard Fred saying, low and stern. 81
can't lick a thousand fellow citizens
The only thing is to get you in some
safe harbor until this blows over
Opening the cellar door, he plunged
his unwilling prisoner into the dark
depths and bounded back to the front
gate just in time to see a throng of
men sweeping silently up the wide
thoroughfare, passing him by with
hardly. CLEAN of recognition, and
finally hating nearly two blocks away
AZ front OF the little homestead OF the
Ladues.
springing from a hack that had driven
swiftly on the trail of the crowd, and
started at sight Of his son, standing
there like sentry at the gate.
Somebody was haranguing the crowd.
now completely filling the street from
block to block only 400 yards away,
while men and boys, jabbering excited
ly, were still hurrying by the Bentons
to join the throng.
A mighty bass was uplifted over the
clamor and beloved on the night:
They tarred and feathered and rode
our teachers on a rail for no cause
whatever. l move, by God! that be-
fore we let Paul Ladue wear a rebel
coat we give him one of tar and
feathers. l know where to find him.
1t was the riff raft Of the city that
made up the bulk of the crowd-the
idler, the loafer, the saloon hanger
weeks before had mobbed the men OF
Massachuset IS in the streets CT Balti,
more. OF the thousand shouting and
swaying there in TIE IN light of the
city lamps probably not so men were
respectable citizens. and. all too late,
George McIlinnon began to realize III at
he was now powerless to QUench the
train his vehement oratory had fired.
My Cod cried Mr.. enton. They
are coming here!''
Running toward them along the
sidewalk, distancing the crowd. pale
now and trembling, came McNinron.