Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-28

pan. The printing had been wet with
spray. I struck Warlock on the tanks.
whirled him head on against Shemu-
els murderer and, whipping out my
war Ratchet, aimed a furious blow at
the fellows head. The keen Ratchet
blade sank into the troopers shoulder.
He tumbied out of his stirrups and
landed heavilytamong the cattails.
Instantly I checked Warlock, poised
myself in my stirrups and launched
the Ratchet straight at the other horse
man, striking him full in the chest, but
whether with blade edge, handle or
fiat l know not, for as his horse
swerved wide, passing me at a tearing
gallop, Mount and Foxcroft flew past,
calling out that Shemuel was dead and
that 1 must follow them for my life.
Up the shore we crashed through the
[rushes, driving straight out into the
marsh, u horses a%oundering and the
light horsemen firing their pistols at US
from the firmer ground above.
"TheyIl murder us all here!" cried
Foxcroft. "Charge them, in Gods
name!w
Mount heard him and bore to the
left. 1 followed. Knee to knee we lift
ed our crazed horses out Of the marsh
ara hurled them into the little patrol
of light horse, bursting upon them ere
they could wheel to meet us.
1 In the moonlight their sabers flashed
before our eyes, but no lunging point
found its billet of flesh, though their
blades rang out on our rife barrels.
Then we were IN them, among them,
plunging through them and pounding
away nOrthWard over a hard gravel
road.
All pursuit ceased below Prospect
hill. We galloped unmolested into the
old Charlestown and West Cambridge
road and flew onward through the
night.
In lonely stretches of road which ran
rivers of moonlight l could see Mount
riding, head OF his breast, square jaw
set, and I knew he wal %brooding on
Shemuel's dismal end.
Mr.. Foxcroft undertook to pilot us.
AS 1 rode by his side I could scarce be-
lieve that yonder, close at hand in the
darkness, Silver Heels slept nor doubt.
ed that I was let My heart began
a-drumming.
you are sure she is thereT" I asked,
plucking Foxcroft's sleeve.
Unless Captain Butler has prevail.
ed" he said grimly.
I choked and trembled in my saddle.
do you-do you, believe she would
listen to him?' I muttered.
"Do you7" he asked, turning on me.
We now came to a stony pasture in
which cattle lay, turning their heavy
heads In the dim light to watch US. 1
~disnlounted to let down the bars. In
vain looked for a house. There were
no lights to be seen.
Foxcroft moved slowly. I nearly
rode him down in my rising anxiety,
now almost beyond control.
At length, however, he discovered q
narrow, overgrown lane, lined with
hazel, and we turned into 1t, single
file, lending our horses. The lane con.
Quoted US to an orchard, oil Eilvery In
the moonbeams, and now through the
long rows Of trees I saw the moon
shining on the portico of a white man.
sion.
els that the house," I whispered.
Toxcroft nodded.
We led our horses through a weedy
garden up to the pi!lared portico. Even
in the moonlight I could see the neglect
and decay that lay over house and
grounds.
And now as l leaped to the porch I
became aware of a light in the house.
1t streamed from a chink in the wood
en- shutters which were closed over the
window to the right of the door.
Foxcroft saw it; so did Mount. We
tied our hard blown horses to the
fluted wooden pillars and stepping to
the door raped heavily.
After a long time pattering, uncer-
tain steps sounded inside the hallway.
A light, dim at first. grew brighter
above the fanlight. yer the door.
The door opened to its full width.
TIE candle fared in the draft Of night
wind, smoked, flckered, then burned
steadily. A little old man stood in the
hallway. His huge shadow wavered
beside him on the wall.
1t was the Weasel!
On his colorless. wasted face a senile
smile ficlered. He laid his withered
hand on his breast and bowed to US,
advancing to the threshold.
"Cade" whispered Mount, with ashy
lips. "Cade, old friend! How came YOU
here?"
The Wensel's meaningless eyes
turned on Mount. There was no light
of recognition In them.
"You are welcome, sir" said Renard
in the ghost Of his old voice. II pray
you enter. gentlemen. You are vel.
come to Cambridge Hall"
LenuIrs US i-=u u room wnere were
q few chairs set close to a small, shah
by card table. he begged us to be seat
ed, with a kindly smile, then seated
himself and fell a-babbling of ancient
days.
Never shall I forget that candle III