The Washington herald., 1909-10-23
Copyright, 1908.
by The
Bobbs-Merrill Co.

| ported the presence Of a ghost Pauls
story had not interested him particularly,
| but now that he was in the neighbor-
/ hood he resolved to visit the cabin
and learn II possible how ghosts amuse
| themselves by day He had thrust a
revolver into his pocket before leaving
the house, and while he had no idea that
ghosts may be shot. he now made sure
/ that the weapon was In good order. As
he sat on a log slipping the cylinder
through his fingers he heard whistling
/ farther along the creek followed quickly
/ by the swapping Of twigs under a heavy
tread, and a moment later a tall, slender
man broke into view.
The stranger was dressed like a coun-
| tryman, but he was Enthusiastically not
Of the Ardsley force Of workmen, for
these wore a rough sort OF uniform. His
hands were thrust carelessly into the
side pockets of a gray jeans coat. They
were thrust in deep, so that the coat
sagged at the pockets. His trousers were
turned up from a pair Of rough shoes
and he wore a gray flannel shirt, the
collar Of which was guiltless of a tie.
He was smooth shaver, and carried IN
his mouth a short pipe which he paused
! TO relight when about a dozen yards
from Ardmore. Then, as he held the
lighted match above the pipe bowl for
an instant to make sure his tobacco was
burning. Ardmore jumped up and covered
him with the pistol
Il beg your pardon, said the master
of Ardsley. but you're my prisoner
The stranger shook the flame out OF
the match-stick carefully and threw It
away before turning toward his captor
Young man." he said with perfect
self-possession, don't fool with that gun;
II might go off,"
His drawl was Characteristic OF the
region his tone was one OF amused toll
erance. Ardmore was short Of stature
and his knickerbockcrs. lcggings and
Norfolk jacket were not wholly con-
sonant with the revolver. which, however.
he leveled very steadily AZ the stranger S
head
You are an intruder on my property,
said the master OF Ardsley, and unless
I'm much mistaken you have been play
ing ghost In that cabin. I've heard about
you, Your gang has been cutting of
my timber about long enough. and this
game Of playing ghost to scare my men
won't do"
stealing your TIMBER" And the stran-
ger was clearly surprised. He held his
pipe in his hand with his thumb over
the bowl and seemed 20 take a more
serious interest in his captor.
And now" continued ArdmOre. I'm
about tired OF having this and Of the
country run by the Appleweights and
their disreputable gang, so I'm going
10 lock you up"
The stranger turned toward the cabin.
Of NH oh MD Wis. Ia
and shrugged his shoulders.
Il have nothing 10 do with the Apple
weights, and l assure you / am not a
timber thief
Then you must be the one who has
lifted a few steers out of my herd. Il
makes no difference just what branch
Of the business you are engaged in, for
we're picking up all the gang and you've
got 70 come along with me"
The captive showed signs OF anger for
the first time. His face flushed, and
he took a step toward Ardmore. who
Immediately threw up the revolver so
that Il pointed at the mans head.
stop right therei We've got old man
Appleweight. so you've lost your leader.
and I tell you the jlgs UP. Wen have
you all in jail before another twenty
four hours has passed
that you are Ardmore the owner Of
Ardsley Am I right"
You are quite right. And you are
member OF a disreputable gang OF out
laws that has been bringing shame upon
the State Of North Carolina Now. I
want you to march straight ahead Of
me. Step lively now.' and Ardmore
fourished the pistol menacingly.
march,
The man hesitated, flung UP his head
dehantly, then moved slowly forward
The flush in his face had deepened and
his eyes flashed angrily; but Ardmore,
his cap on the back Of his head, HIM
self presented a figure so severe, so elo-
quent Of righteous Indignation, that the
stranger tamely obeyed him.
I'VE will cross the creek right here"
he ordered; ITS a pretty jump there
from that bowlder-there, that was bully,
Now right along there over the log-see
the traili Good"
It was warm and the captive was
perspiring freely He moved along
docilely, and finding that he manifested
no inclination 20 bolt Ardmore dropped
the revolver TO his side hUt with his
finger on the trigger. He was very
proud Of himself; for while to Miss Jerry
Dangerheld undoubtedly belonged the
honor of capturing the thief Appeweight.
yet he had single-handed arrested a mem
Der of the famous gang. and he had
already resolved upon a convenient
method of disposing of his prisoner They
paused while Ardmore mounted his horse.
silencing the captive. who took the op-
pOrtunity 10 break out professionally
against what he termed an infamous out
rage upon personal liberty.
You've taken me from one State in
to another without due process Of law. "
declared the stranger. thinking to impress
Ardmore, as that young gentleman
settled himself in his saddle.
GO right on now; that's a good fellow"
replied the master Of Ardsley, lifting the
revolver warningly. Whether it's North
Carolina or South Dakota-it doesn't
make particle Of difference 10 me. As
1 remarked before, it's my property. I
tell you, and 1 do what please here"
'I'n show you whether you do or not. "
snorted the prisoner. who was trudging
along doggedly with the nose of Ard
more's horse occasionally poking his
back
They soon reached a field where some
laborers were at work and Ardmore
called them TO him for instructions.
Boys. this is one Of the timber thieves:
put him in that corn-crib until I come
back for him. The nights are warm:
the sky is perfectly clear; and you will
kindly see that he does not lack for food. a"
Two of the men jumped forward and
seized Ardmore's prisoner who now
broke forth in torrent Of wrath
struggling vigorously in the hands of
the sturdy fellows who had laid violent
hands on him.
That's right, boys; that's right; easy
there! Now In he goes"
A series OF corn-cribs fringed the field.
and into one of these. from which half
the corn mad been removed the prisoner
was thrust sprawling upon the yellow
u-Ia ho rose