Morris tribune., 1905-02-11

hills farther inland. Talbot had chose
the river road and was riding alon'
with a light heart, forgetful of hi
mother and those tears which indee'
she would not have shown him, an
full of pleasant anticipations as to TIL
effect of his decision upon Katharine
AS he rode along in the moonligh
his mind. full of that calm repos
which comes to men when they have
finally arrived at a decision upon som'
point which has troubled them, fel
free to range where it would, and nat
urally his thoughts turned toward the
girl he loved He was getting along ii
= life, twenty-four his last birthday
while Katharine was several years his
Junior. 1t was time to settle himself
and if he must ride away to the wars
1t were well, pleasant at least, to think
that he was leaving at home wife
over whom he had thrown the protect
ing ngis of his name.
Katharine would be much happier
his thoughts dwelt tenderly upon her
and the definite arrangement would be
better than his tacft understanding.
He would speak out that very night,
never doubling the issue, and get it
done with OF course that was all that
was necessary.
When she knew that he was engaged
heart and soul in the cause of the Rev
olution she would be ready to yield
him anything.
So musing the light hearted gentle
man galloped along. The intervening
distance was soon passed over, and
Talbot found himself entering the ia
miliar stretch of woodland which
marked the beginning of the colonel's
estate. Under the trees and beneath
the high bank Of the river the shadows
deepened. Scarcely any light from the
moon fell on the road. 1t. was we'll
therefore that our cavalier drew rein
and somewhat checked the pace of his
horse, advancing with some caution
over the familiar yet unseen road, for
5ust as he came opposite the land end
OF the pier which led out to the boat
house the animal stopped with such
suddenness that less practiced rider
would have suffered a severe fall. The
horse snorted and trembled in terror
and began rearing and backing away
from the spot. Looking down in the
darkness, Talbot could, barely discern
a dark, bulky object lying in the road.
"Here, Dick" he called to the groom,
who had stopped and reined in his own
horse, apparently as terrified as the
other, few PAGES back of his master,
and tossing his bride rein toward him,
stake my horse while l see what stop
ped him"
Lightly leaping to the ground and
stepping up to the object before him,
he bent down and laid his hand upon
It, and then started back in surprise.
and horror tits ,manp he .exclaim
ed. Dead, yet warm still Who can
it be-? The moonlight fell upon the
pebbly beach of the river a little far,
Their out. Overcoming his reluctance,
he half lifted, half carried the body
out where the light would fall upon
Its face. This face, which was un.
known to him, was that Of a desperate
looking ruffian, who was dressed in
soiled and tattered uniform, the coat
Of which was red. The mans hand
tightly clasped a discharged pistol.
He had been shot in the breast, for
where his coat had fallen open might
be seen dark red stain about a rag
ged hole in his soiled gray shirt. The
bullet had been fired at short range,
too, for there were powder marks all
about his breast. Talbot noticed these
things rapidly, his mind working quick
ly.
"Oh, Mars. HiI'ry = wha-wha's de
mattah? l kyarnt hol' desc bosses.
pey'se sumfin wrong, sho'ly," broke in
the groom, his teeth chattering with
Terror.
'Quiet, man! Don't make so much
noise. This is the dead body of man,
a soldier. He has been shot too Take i
the horses back beyond the old tree on
the little bend there. Tie them secure |
~ and come back here quickly. Make
no noise. Bring the pistols from your.
holsters"
AS the man turned to obey him Tai
bot glanced about in perplexity. and his
eyes fell upon a small sIoop rapidly
disappearing down the river under full +
sail in the. fresh breeze which had
sprung up. She was too far away now
to make out any details in the moon
light, but the sight was somewhat un-
usual and alarming, he scarcely knew
why
81 got dem tied safe, Mars Hil'ry!"
called out the voice Of the boy from
the road.
Gall right Dick. We will leave this
one here and try to find out what's
wrong. You follow me and keep the
pistols ready"
eyes, mars; got dem" The man
was brave enough in the presence of
open danger. 1t was only the spiritual
he feared
They had scarcely gone ten PAGES
farther toward the path when at the n
loot Of it they stumbled over another
body.
"Here is another one What does it