Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-06-29

to the barn. Another moment and,
distinctly, in a sudden lull OF the
breeze, he heard a low, cautious voice
in half murmur, half whisper. Words
were indistinguishable. but he knew
the tones-Lounsberry beyond ques-
ton, and Lounsberry hailing in ex-
p~ectation of finding there an accom-
plice.
Not a second could he lose now! To
go would be to meet the death OF an
escaping prisoner-or, at best, justlti-
able imprisonment behind the bars. To
stay where he was might involve her
might at least so startle as to force
from her a cry of alarm. Quick, light
and 1.-THE as a panther he sprang to
his feet and met her Just outside the
door. No time for explanation!
"Silence!" he whispered, almost saw
agely. "Lounsberry is there" and then
defiant even of her wrath, he wrapped
that one strong arm about her, fol-
(this at least, long after, vas his n
excused he thought she would fall, so
sudden was the shock and start, so
wildly beat the little heart once more
fluttering on his breast, For a moment
she was too dazed to use her strength,
then, through her set teeth, savagely
as he had spoken, she Kissed at him,
while slender fingers tore at his muscu-
lar hand:
Let me go, Instantly"
And when he had released her, she
again seemed like to fall, and he again
essayed to hold her, but now with
clinching little fists she fairly beat him
off. Then, springing past him, Keeling
a bit, but desperate and determined,
flew to the window, knelt and listened,
leaving him ~faltering mi moment at
the door. Only a moment, though;
for, casting aside all scruple, he fol-
lowed and knelt beside her. Shrinking
from him, with her white hands PRESSED
to her temples; amaze, indignation,
then triumph in her face, though he
could not see it, she seemed listening
absorbed. Again it was Lounsberry's
voice, and Lounsberry had found his
fellow spy, and with amazing conf
dence and fiuency was Pomp replying.
Oh, what glibness OF guile!
Yeas, sub. | don tole him SO. He
cum down the back stayuhs an outen
de back do mos an hour ago, an TO
we could show him de way, sub, Miss
Resale come ~tay'in after him, an
draw'd him back into de house again!'
You imp Of hell! If you are lying
I'll skin you alive! Whose horses were
those in the side lot as | came up?'
demanded Lounsberry.
"Fo' Gnwd, captain, | do know!
Dey wasn't ouhs-ouhs Is in de balm
sub. Take de key and see TO- y0'self
Hyuh's the, dochtuh now, subj"
Al stream OF yellow light had shot
suddenly forth as a door In thu
north wing was thrown open, and
lantern in hand, out came the head O
the house, angering, b~areheaded.
What are YOU doing here at Thu
hour, you beck rascal and with whom
are you .alking? Maj .~Lounsberry!'
and with amaze and dismay in his voic,
the old virginian faced his unlocked
f,r visitor.
III do not wonder at your surprise
DOCTOR promptly replied the stat
officer, stepping forward into the littl,
circle Of light. II had thought to b.
at Gordonsville before this, but
strange things are happening, strang,
stories are afioat. 1t came to my ear
while on the way that your servant
had Deen bribed to enable Lieut.. Ben
ton to escape this night. Teturne,
at oree, and two Of my escorts declar
that two horsemen rode away from
Jsur side yard yonder barely tn