Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-25

he ordered. Il have a word to say to
those fellows"
Seeing Mr.. Wynkoop on the hotel
porch, Brant said 20 him. "AIiss
Spencer informed me that YOU saw a
man leap from the back window of the
Occidental is that true?"
The missionary nodded.
Good then come along with me.
I intend breaking the back of This
lynching business right here and
now"
He strobe directly across the street
TO the steps OF the Occidental bis
clothing scarcely more than smolder-
ing rags. The crowd stared at him
sullenly, then suddenly a reaction
came. and The American spirit OF fair
play, the frontier appreciation of bull
dog courage. burst forth into a con
fused murmur. that became half q
cheer. Brant did not mince his
words
wow. look here. mem II you want
any more trouble. we're here 10 ac-
commodate you Fighting is our
trade. and we don't mind working at
&c. But I wish 20 ten You right now.
and straight of the handle. that YOU
are simply making a parcel OF fools
of yourselves. Slavin has been killed.
and nine out of ten amor- you are
secretly glad OF it, He was curse
to this camp. but because some OF his
friends and cronies-thugs. gamblers
and dive kecpers-accuse Bob Hamp-
ton Of having killed him. YOU start in
blindly TO- lynch Hampton. never even
waiting 90 find cut whether the charge
is the truth or a lie You act like
sheep. not American citizens Now
that we have pounded q little sense
into some OF YOU. perhaps you'll listen
60 the facts. and 81 YOU must hank
some one. put your rope on the right
man. Bob Hampton did not Kan Red
Slavin. The fellow who did Kin him
climbed ont of the back window OF
the Occidental here. and got away.
while you were chasing The wrong
man. Mr Wyukoop saw him. and $50
did your school teacher. Miss spen-
GER"
Then Wynkoop stepped gamely 60
the front an that is true. men. 7
have been trying ever since 60 ten
you, but no one would listen. Miss
Spencer and I both saw the man jump
from the window. there was blood on
his right arm and hand. lie was mis-
shapcn creature whom neither OF us
ever saw before. and he disappeared
on a run up that ravine. 7 have no
doubt he was Slavin's murderer"
"Now. YOU fellows. think that over"
said Brant Il intend TO post q guard
until / find ont whether you are coing
90 prove yourselves fools or mon. but
If we sail fla again those OF you who
start the trouble can expect 90 get
hurt and pay for tie piper That's
an"
Ia front of the hotel porch he met
his first sergeant coming out
what does the doctor say about
Hampton
"A very bad wound, sir; but not nee
essarily fatal; he has regained con-
seriousness"
HAS Miss ellis arrlved?"
81 don't know. sir; there's a young
woman cryin' I'm the parlor."
The lieutenant leaped up the steps
and entered the house. But is was
Miss Spencer, not Nadia. who sprang
20 her feet.
ooh. Lieut.. Brant; can Il be truly
you, How perfectly awful you looki
Do you know if Mr.. Hampton is really
going 10 die? i came here just 20
find out about him, and tell Nadia.
She is almost frantic. poor thing"
Though Brant doubted Miss Spen-
GERS honesty OF statement. his reply
was direct and unhesitating. Il am
informed that he has a good chance
TO live. and 1 have already dispatched
word to Miss ellis regarding his con
dition. I expect her at any moment"
How very nice it was Of you. oh.
trembled so when you first went TO
face those angry meni ! don't see
how you ever dared do It. ! did wish
that either Mr.. Moffat or Mr.. Mcneil
could have been here to go with you.
Before Brant could reply his attentive
ear caught the sound OF a light foot
step in the hallway. He met Nadia
just without. pale and fearless. Both
her hands were extended to him IN
reservedly.
Tell me, will he liver"
THE doctor thinks yes"
Thank Godl Oh, thank Cod"
She pressed one hand against her
heart to control its throbbing. You
cannot know what this means to me-"
Her eyes seemed now for the first
time to mark his own deplorable con-
diuon. and you? You have not been
hurt, Lieut.. Brant?"
He smiled back into her anxious
eyes. Nothing that soap and water
and q few days retirement will not
wholly remedy. Ny wounds are en-
tirely upon the surface. Shall con-
duct you to him?"
She bowed, apparently forgetful
that one OF her hands yet remained
imprisoned in his grasp. IF I may
60, yes. / told Mrs. Herndon should
remain here IL could be of the
slightest assistance"
They passed up the staircase side
by side. exchanging no further speech.
Once she glanced furtively at his face,