The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-01-03
CHAPTER XIII.

SNent murphy.
Rrant sprang forward. all doubt re
garfing this young woman instantly
d.s .fated by those final words Of mis-
clevcUs mockery. She had been pay
iaE with him as unconcernedly as If
De were a mere toy sent for her
amusement and his pride was stung-
Bgt pursuit proved useless. Like
phantom she had slipped away amid
the underbrush. leaving him 10 foun-
csr blindly in the labyrinth His IN
cautious foot slipped along the steep
edge ~ the shelving bank. and he
went down. half stumbling. half slid
ir- until he came 20 a sudden pause
cl the brink of the little stream. The
chase was ended. and he sat Up, con
fused for the moment. and half Ques-
Lg-ing the evidence OF his own eyes
small tent. dirty and patched.
stood with its back against the slope
q. earth down which he had plunged
j. lap flung aside revealed within a
Ile ~ disarranged blankets. together
Vl'h some scattered articles of wear
opening. his back pressed against the
supporting pole. an inverted pipe be
tween his yellow. irregular teeth. sat
+ q h.deous looking man. He was a
vithered. dried-up fellow. whose age
was NOT 10 be guessed. having a skin
as yellow as parchment. drawn in
tighl 20 the bones like that Of a
mummy. his eyes deep sunken like
wells and his head totally devoid Of
hair although about his lean throat
there vas a copious fringe Of iron-gray
beard untrimmed and scraggy. Down
he entire side Of one cheek ran a
iiv.i scar. while his nose was turned
AIRY.
He sat staring at the newcomer.
unw.nking. his facial expression de
void Of interest, but his fingers open
ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened. but moth
ing except a peculiar gurgle sound IS
sued from the threat. and Brant who
By this time had attained his feet and
us selfpossession. ventureG 10 ad-
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for camp he Re
marked, pleasantly. but a bad place
fcr a tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing.
oui tie throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped a
detached word or two. Blame
pretty girl-that--
The lieutenant wondered how much
q their conversation this old mummy
had overheard. but he hesitated TO
question him One inquiry. however.
sirang 10 his surprised lips. do you
know herr"
Damn sight-better-than any one
around here-know her-real name
Brant stared incredulously. DO you
mean TO insinuate that that young
woman Is living in this community IN
Ger an assumed one7 Why. she is
scarcely more than a child, What DO
you mean. man.
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where Il had fallen. its military
Insignia hidden.
euess-I know-what know.
Tie fellow mutiered. "Whats-your
--regiment7"
seventh cavalry"
The man stinened up as II an cleo
uic shock had swept through his limp
frame. The ell,-and-did-she-
,al you-Brant-"
ne Young officers face exhibited
Pts disgust Beyond doubt that Sc
qlostered nook was favorite Iounz.
iHs spot for the girl. and this disrepu-
la..e creature had been watching her
AT some sinister purpose.
SO you have been eavesdropping.
nave you?' said Brant. g-avely. And
now you want TO try a turn at defarn-
ihs woman Wen. you have come
N poor market for the sale OF such
goods. am half inclined TO throw
s.l bodily into the creek. believe
spn are nothing but a common liar.
oat III give you one chance-you say
!oa know her real name. What Is IL p
ne eyes OF the mummy had become
stileiui "lts-n0ne of-your damn
BUSINESS Tm-not under-your orders
Under my orders. OF course not:
eut what do you mean by that. Who
anc what are you