The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-25

w anu l. III dcCOSC MIN. HOu
needn't show your face"
Mr.. Ransom turned aside. Mr.
Harper waited till the sIow.moyinp
horse, dragging heavily Jogging wag.
on, came alongside, and he had caught
the eye Of the low-browed, broad.
raced farmer boy who sat on a bag of
potatoes and held the reins.
Good morning" said he. Bad
news this way. Any better at the
Ferry, or down east, as you call it?"
"Eh?" was the numbering, half-sus.
picious answer from the startled boy.
1--WE heard naught down yonder. but
that gal tarew herself over the wa.
terfall up here last night. Is that q
fact, sir? I'm mighty Gurus to know.
MY mother knew them Hazens; used
to wash for 'em years ago. She told
me to bring up these taters and larn
all / could about it."
We don't know much more than
that ourselves" was the smooth and
cautious reply. "The lady certainly
10 missing, and she is supposed to
have drowned herself" Then. as he
noted the fellows eyes resting with
some curiosity on Mr.. Ransom's well.
clad. gentlemanly figure, added grave.
ly. and with slight gesture towards
the latter:
"The lady's husband"
The lads jaw fell and he looked
very sheepish.
Excuse me, misters, didn't know"
he managed to mutter, with a slash at
his horse which was vainly endeavor.
Ing to pull the cart from the rut in
which 1t had stuck. II guess I'll go
along to the hotel. I've a bag of
taters for Mrs. Deo'
But the cart didn't bulge and the
lawyer had time to say:
Guess you didn't hear anything
said about another lady l am inter.
ested in. No talk down your way of a
strange young woman seen anywhere
on the highway or about any of the
houses between here and the Land
ing?"
"Jerusha! did hear a neighbor of
mine say somethin' about a stranger
gal he saw this very mornin'. Met her
down by Beardsley's. She was goin'
through the mud on foot as lively as
you please. Asked him the way to
the Ferry. He noticed her because
she was pretty and spoke in such q
nice way-just like a city gal," he
said. "Is it any one from this hotel?"
added the fellow with a wondering
look. "If so. she walked a mile be-
fore daylight in mud up to her an
kles. A girl Of powerful grit that.
with mighty good reason for catch.
ing the train"
"Oh. there's an early train them"
asked the lawyer, ignoring the others
question with unmoved good-humor.
"One, I mean, before the 1880 ex.
press"
"Yes, sir, or so I've heard. never
took 1t. Folks don't from here, ex.
cept they're in an awful hurry. VIII
yer say who the young woman is?
Not-not-"
I'VE don't know who she is," quiet.
ly objected the lawyer. "And you
don't know who she is either" he sc.
verely added, holding the yawping
countryman with his eye. "If you're
the man I think you, you'll not talk
about her unless you're asked by the
constable or some one you are bound
to answer. And what's more, you'll
earn a five-dollar bill by going back
the road you've come and bringing
here, without any talk or fuss, the
man you were just telling us about.
/ want to have a talk with him, but
don't want any one but you and him
to know this. You can tell him rs
worth money, II he don't want to
come. Do you understand"
"You bet," chuckled the grinning
lad. "A five-dollar bill is mighty clear.
ing to the mind, sir. But must turn
right back before going on to the ho-
tel and hearing the news?"
We'll help you turn the cart"
grimly suggested Mr.. Harper. Get
up there, Dobbin, or whatever your
name Is. Here. Ransom. lend hand!"
A-e4e Was nothing for the fellow 20
90 bat to accept the help proffered,
and turn his cart. With one longing
look towards the hotel he jerked at
the rein and shouted at the horse.
which, after a few feeble efforts,
pulled the cart about and started OF
again in the desired direction.
Sooner done, sooner paid" shouted
the lawyer, as lad and cart went Jolt.
Ing off. Remember to ASH .or Law.
yer Harper when you come back. I
won't be far from the Office"
The fellow nodded; gave one grin.
ming look back and whipped up his
nag. The lawyer and Ransom eyed
one another. TITS only possibility.
emphasized the former. Don't Law
too much stress upon it."
LET us speak plainly" urged Ran.
som. "Mr. Harper are you sure that