The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-23
Copyright. i30S.
By the
Bohbs-Aierrill Co.


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 whist!ing
| farther along the creek. followed quickly
! by the swapping of twigs under heavy
tread, and moment later a tall, slender
man broke into view
The stranger was dressed like a coun-
tryman, but he was Enthusiastically not
Of the ATdsley 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 guiltess Of a tie
He was smooth shaven, and carried n
his mouth a short pipe. which he paused
| 10 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;
It might go Of"
! His drawl was characteristic OF the
region; his tone was one OF amused toll
! erance. Ardmore was short Of stature
! and HIS knickerbockers. leggings and
/ Norfolk jacket were not wholly con-
sonant with the revolver, which. however,
| he ieveled very steadily al 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 10 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 to take a more
serious interest IN his captor.
And now" continued Ardmore. I'm
about tired OF having this and % the
country run by the Appleweights and
their disreputable gang. so I'm going
10 lock you up
The stranger turned toward the cabin,
one corner Of which was plainly visible,
| and shrugged his shoulders
Il have nothing 10 do with the Apple
weights. and I assure you ! am not a
timber thief"
Then you must be the one who has
| lifted a few steers out of my herd u
makes no difference just what branch
Of the business you are engaged I'm. for
we're picking up all the gang and you've
got TO 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 II pointed al the mans head.
stop right there, We've got old man
Appleweight, so you've lost your leader
and l tell you the jigs up Wen have
you all in Jail before another twenty
four hours has passed
II judge from the tone OF your remarks
that you are Ardmore, the owner OF
Ardsley. Am I right?"
You are quite right And you are a
member Of a disreputablc gang OF out
laws that has been bringing shame upon
he State Of North Carolina Now,
want you TO march straight ahead Of
me. Step lively nowr And Ardmore
fiourished the pistol menacingly.
March,
The man hesitated flung up his head
defantly, 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 VIII 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 trail, Good"
II was warm and the captive was
perspiring freely. He moved along
docilely, and finding that he manifested
no inclination to bolt, Ardmore dropped
the revolver to his side. hUt with his
finger on the trigger. lie was very
proud OF himself; for while 10 Miss Jerry
Dangerheld undoubtedly belonged the
honor of capturing the thief Appleweight.
yet he had single-handed arrested men,
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 oD- /
pOrtunity to break out protestingly
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 10 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 I
make a particle of difference to me. As
1 remarked before. it's my property. I
tell you. and 1 do what I please here"
'I'll show you whether you do or not "
snorted the prisoner. who was trudginE
along doggedly with the nose Of Ard /
more's horse occasionally poking his /
back
They soon reached 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 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 |
Two Of the men jumped forward and
seized Ardmore's prisoner, who now
broke lortn 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
therel Now in he goes
a series Of corn-cribs fringed the field.
and into one of these. from which half
the corn had been removed. the prisoner
was thrust sprawling upon the yellow
ears. and when he rose and flung him
self round, the door of the corn-crib
slammed In his face. He beloved with
rage now. seeing that his imprisonment
was a serious matter and that it seemed
likely TO be prolonged Indefinitely.