The Washington times., 1909-02-14

ooh, ] guess So smiled Bess. is
Tom homeo"
NO, Miss. he amt, neither Poor
/ boy, he's been all wrought up since
George left He don't seem ter be the
( same Tom he used to he. All the time
looking back and talking 10 that
measly Barlow"
$50 they have conferences right
alonE2" asked Bess.
Yes, I seen EN- waIkn' along to-
gethe~ an sittin' around together
talking earnest most Of the time"
DO YOU know where George has
gone tor Bess continued.
THAT 1 dom was the repR. Some
SAYS that he's went TO Chicago though.
I Oh. the house amt the same any more
at all without YOU, Miss Bess."
But when did ne go TO Chicago?"
queried the girl
1T was about two days ago he left
the house. Just after Mr.. Tom came
home loOkin' blacker than ever, They
had a long talk, and then Mr.. George
went away without tellin' anybody
where ne was zoiu'. His father was
near daffy about #, but I guess he got
word of some kind. for he amt been
worrying so much since
''You haven't heard any other place
mentioned where George might have
gomez went on Bess.
No" was the cooks reply
Having learned nothing from her. Bess
walked slowly down the steps. She was
thinking Of what the cook had said
about tha night Tom had come home so
mad; that must have been the evening
that she accused him 10 his face. Then
George went away thst very night
after a long talk with his cousin.
1t stood TO reason that Tom had sent
him away for fear that he would break
down and say something to save Jim
from the electric chair.
Chicago Bess repeated 10 herself
vaguely. Good heavens, II George
is there, all is lost. cant ever get
there ana back in the time there is
left"
Talking to herself. she ssuntered down
the path. back toward town. She walked
on for possibly half a mile. doubling
and wondering how she could find out
for sure where George had gone.
Then a sudden thought struck her.
There was the man at the barn lie
always had Georges confidence and his
admiration for Bess was unlimited, be-
cause she was such a spirited girl and
p fearless rider
She would better go back and talk to
him. IF anybody knew the real facts
of the case it would be he, and he would
surely tell her anything with the proper
amount OF urging.
So Bess turned about. She skirted the
house and went directly TO the barn
There she found the man, Just leading
i'm her horse. Bess petted tie animal
and the groom stood by. admirinE her
affection.
Bess turned 10 him abruptly.
Where is George" she asked.
The groom paused. scratched his head
and looked ~ a. her doubtfuuy.
cts IT very iuports at?" he asked.
Very" replied 8ess. taking a bill
from her pocketbook and handing it
20 tho man.
His palm closed over it and he looked
up at her with grin
They say he's gone to Chicago" he
answered. closing one eve in lu-
dicrous manner
Bess smiled in spite OF herself
'Is # trueE" she asked.
well. what they say usually isn't. /
7 don't know. il don't seem likely to
me that he's gone that far. He Dor
rowed so from me"
What would ne borrow such . small
amount for II ne were going 70 Chica-
gO2' asked Bess-
That's just what j was wondering"
smiled the groom.
Ress knew that ma had some IrIowf- /
edge, but PREFER . 20 about the
business Of letting out in his own
peculiar way.
Its funny he'd take gun if he
was going TO Chicago. too" the groom
continued. raising his eyebrows and
looking al Bess.
did ne have a gun b" cried the girl, /
fearing that ne might have taken n .
revolver with some idea. Of making use
OF it on himself
Yes. ne took his shotgun and lot
or ammunition. I don't know whether /.
he's goin' out as strike breaker, or /
what"
s. sudden light came TO Bess.
lis it possible that he went down 10 7.
our hunting shack" she cried, hone /
fully.
Again the Eroom-s expressive eye half +
closed
4 don't know what he'd take along
the decoy ducks for If he wasn't goin'
there he said iu perfectly serious .
tone
Did he tell YOU that was where he .
was goinge" Ecss put the question .
poiuteCIy
No, of course not. But 1 Sot eyes.
and ] packed up the cartridges for him"
ouve helped me out a lot, John.
cried the girl happily. at thought there f.
was some mistake about that trIp 10
Chicago"
$50 did L." answered the groom, but,
OF course, / couldn't eli nobody what
] saw TO amt my business TO saw he's
gone One place when an the others say
he's gOIn' somewhere else"
"Of course not john" she smiled.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
FN HIDING.
~ E~S hurried back I'D her aunfe
y AGAIN The .4r.tfr- -E... moe l