The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-09
The Spoilers.
By REX e. BEACH.
=: copyrisbt. Z. Beseh.
[Continued from last week.

Lord! CALCULATED Glenister. do
you think he's after me?'
HE amt after nobody else. an take
my word for 1t, it's got notbin' to do
with McEamara nor that gamblin' row.
Hes too game for that. There's some
other reason"
This was the fret mention Dextry
had made Of the night at the Northern.
Il don't know why be should have 1t
In for me. l never did him any "a
vors," Glenister remarked cynically.
"Well. you watch out anyhow. I'd
sooner face McNamara an all the
crooks he can hire than that gambler" !"
During the next few days Roy un-
dertook to meet the proprietor Of the
Northern face to face but the Kid had
vanished completely from his hatnts.
He was not in his gambling hall at
night nor On the street by day. The
young man was still looking for him
on the evening of the dance at the ho-
tel when be chanced to meet one Of the
vigilantes, who inquired Of him:
Aren't you late for the meetingr'
What meetingT
After seeing that they were alone the
other stated:
There's an assembly tonight at II
o'clock. Something important, l think.
l supposed, Of course, you knew about
It."
"It's strange I wasn't notified" said
Roy. ITS probably an oversight. I'll
go along with you"
Together they crossed the river to
the less frequented part Of the town
and knocked at the door Of large un-
lighted warehouse. hanked by q high
board fence. The building faced the
street. but was lnclosed on the other
three sides by this ten foot wall, inside
of which were stored large quantities
OF coal and lumber. After some delay
they were admitted and passing down
through the dim lit. high banked lanes
Of merchandise came to the rear room,
where they were admitted again. This
compartment had been fitted up for the
warm storage Of perishable goods dur
ing the cold weather and, being with
out windows, made an ideal place for
clandestine gatherings.
Glenlster was astonished to find
every man Of the organisation present,
including Dextry, whom he supposed
to have gone home an hour since. Evil
dently discussion had been In prog
ress, for a chairman was presiding,
and the boxes, kegs and bales Of goods
had been showed back against the walls
for seats. On these were ranged the
threescore men Of the strangers, !"
their serious faces lighted imperfectly
by scattered lanterns. A certain con-
straint seized them upon Glenisters
entrance. The chairman was embar-
rassed. 1t was but momentary, how
ever. Glenister himself felt that trag-
edy was in the air, for It showed In the
mems attitude and spoke eloQuently
from their strained faces. He was
about to question the man next to him
when the presiding officer continued:
I'VE will assemble here quietly with
our arms at / o'clock. And let me
caution you again not to talk or do
anything to scare the birds away"
Glenister arose. Il came late, Mr..
Chairman, 80 l missed hearing your
plan. gather that you're out for
business, however, and I want to be In
It May / ask what is on footT
Certainly. Things have reached
such q pass that moderate means are
useless. We have decided to act and
act quickly. We have exhausted every