, 1905-03-29

behind them came the storm of OBJ
jurgation and abuse that the old man
was pouring out from the doorstep.
1t is a good eight miles from Simon
Unger's TO the grove where the camp
meeting was in progress, but as they
came i'll sight of the place, with its
f1aring kerosene lamps casting vivid
shadows among the trees and its rows
OF Chinese lanterns lending a festival
aspect, Dehus snapped open his watch.
Forty minutes" he said nonchalantly.
Not so bad for the old mare with a
heavy buggy an two people,"
Only once had they stopped, and that
was for just Il minute at a wayside
hostelry known as the Shriver's inn.
about half a miles before they reached
the grove. Here Dehus had sprung
out, hurried up to the desk and after
CHANGING at the register held n brief
whispered colloquy with the clerk.
Then he came out, resumed his seat in
the buggy and without any explana-
ton had driven on.
AS they approached the camp meet
ing he allowed his foaming horse to
drop into "A walk. The scene was plain
~ visible to them now-the people
walking about under the trees in cou-
pies or in groups, the big platform up
at the other end in Il blaze of light,
where the eXhorters and the choir
were in full swing; the rows of audi
tors extending back from this, the
Cn1rnnlyxy YaAfAe Af ,aaIA1AA. H.
hoarse cries of the refreshment vend-
ers at the gate, and around all, like
the stockade around a laager, was a
line of vehicles and horses hitched to
the encircling fence.
Don't take off your veil. an stick
close to me- muttered Dehus to Ma
bel after he had picketed and blanket
ed the mare. Then he led her IL long
and weary chase about the grounds,
but nowhere did he strike pay gravel
for his pains.
He and Mabel found themselves at
last standing on the outskirts of the
worshiping assemblage. The exhorter
was in the full tide of his e%loquence.
"And-ah, my brethren-ah," he was
vociferating, II say unto you-ah, that
you must-ah, become as one of these
little ones--ah''-
Mabel suddenly clutched Dehus by
the sleeve. "Jim," she whispered
breathlessly, there's the man that
robbed paw, the one up on the mourn
ers' bench with his face in his hands.
. SHOW him by his blue suit Win go
white stripes in it."
The sheriff pushed hastily forward
through the throng, the girl following
close behind him. Just hen two peo-
pie rose from the bench directly back
of his quarry, and he could not afford
to overlook the opportunity. Barring
the rush for the vacant places with
his strong right arm, he thrust Mabel
into one of the seats and took the other
himself.
When the stir caused by their intru-
sion had subsidized Dehus leaned for
ward until his lips We're on a level
with the ear of the man in the blue
suit.
Mr.. Storyf" he murmured inquir-
ingly.
There was no change in the attitude
of the mourner, but the sheriff's glance
intercepted a quick tremor as 1t ran
along the jaw. The little man sitting
next to Story stealthily slid his hand
toward his hip.
Dehus touched him on the arm. 81
wouldn't" he said sternly. 81 have
you both covered from my coat peck
ct. Hands up"
The men were old at their trade, and
they recognized that the game was up,
but the taller was not without an ele-
ment of grim humor. Besides, time
might help them. To create a turmoil
in hat crowded assemblage would be
fatal. Pray" he muttered to his COM
panion, pray for your soul, you mis-
cradle sinner!" At the same time be
clasped his hands above his head in an
attitude of duplication. Quick to seize
the cue, his associate Immediately fol-
lowed suit.
The exhorter observed their action.
"Glory, glory!' he shouted. You are
coming through, brothers! Pray, pray!
The grace of the Lord will prevail
even though your sins be as scarlet
The sheriff chuckled with satisfac-
ton. 1t was worth while playing a
hand with clever rogues like these.
Consequently there was something al
most like Difference in his tone as he
repeated his question, "Mr. StoryT
The thief still spared for wind. His
expectations Of escape were of the
slightest, but nevertheless delay was
one of the rules of the game. His face
wore an expression of Christian for