The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-28

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steam To ths north ioomsd the dim,
low coast Of Alabama
In De saloon was assembled a mot.
ley parU 10 champagne supper, Of
wMah Dessanss and Tom Darby form
Cd ths ouly self satisfied rnembsFs, the
others bsinS plunged IN deepest gloom
despite ell attempts 70 entivsn them.
Fsrst Hsox1 Wharton. aged IN years
and saA, Il bis countsnance be allowed
~ evidence. siowering svilly across
the table 1t Darby, whom be had mis-
takenly conceived to be the moving
spirit q he enterprise; tbsn Mr.. Fet-
ter. young aud weak wiiled, lacking ex-
cuse for his existence, but nightly i'm
pressed With his own stimulation Of
rakiSh worldlinsss; lastly, q pale,
frightened person, q clergyman by his
cloth, bot dssp In the clutch OF a rag
ing thirst for strong dEiuk-these were
the unwilling guests.
Mr.. Wharton addressed himself to
Tom Darby. who was contentedly en-
gazing the breast OF q tender chicken.
Mr.. Wharton shook q lean fist framed
in s0iled linen at him.
I'LL have the law on your he cried,
quivering with rage. You'll find,
young man. that this Is not country
where you can kidnap-yeA kidnap-
peaceful citissns at your will and not
suffer for It"
Il wtsh," said Darby calmly, that
you wouldn't wear your cuffs more
than week at a time. You spoil my
appetite"
Mr.. Wharton fumed, speeches.. Tet-
ter laughed.
Hes right there, pop" he said ir-
reverently. "But don't you think you
are a little lawiessr' he added to
Darby.
mot at all" Dorrance interposed,
smiling indulgently. "The parson will
be witness that you came willingly"
The parson raised expostulat1ng
banda "At ths pistols point" he pro-
tested very truthfully.
II merely invited you to a stag on
my wedding eve, and you came with
alacrity, though did understand that
you had pressing engagement"
The parson smiled family. Mr.. Whar-
ton attempted to control himself. "I'll
tell you what" he said, speaking slow
ly and thickly. IF you'1l take US back
Immediately I'll give you $1,000
Dorrance laughed and shook his
head.
Fifteen hundredr'
You ante too low,'" Tom Darby sug-
gested.
Three thousand" he snarled.
ION, make it worth while and I'll
raise you. pop" cried Fetter.
"F1veY'
"No." said Dorrance.
"Ten. then. I'll give you tenr'
Mr.. Wharton's hands were trembling
violently. Dorrance politely filed his
glass for him. He tossed It of eagerly.
Twenty" he pleaded.
"Whe-ewr' Darby whistled II had
no idea the stakes were so high"
Mr.. Wharton hesitated; every mo-
ment was now g: consequence. He
suffered painfully.
"Fi-ff-hfty thousand" |" he managed,to
say.
watch. "You have no security to offer
but your word" he said wearily. "and
that is worthless"
Mr.. Wharton's jaw moved loosely,
but no sounds came.
Moreover" Dorrance continued, IT
don't need your money, nor do want
It."
"I'li have the law on YOU" Wharton
repeated sullenly. Hope was dead In
his breast
II wouldn't II were you. And you
will not This is rather q noisome busi-
ness which you've attempted-and fail
ed at Your credit would suffer were It
known So you win say nothing. I'm
happy to inform you that you're too
late. It Is IL o'clock. and your ward
will be her own mistress in one hour"
Dorrance walked to the door and
gave an order. The engines began to
chug more slowly, and the Beau Gal.
liant camei almost to standstill Mr..
Wharton sputtered threats and obsceni-
ties.
II believe you were right" said Dor
rance 70 htm. I'VE DO not desire your
company after all. Come on deck. I'll
put you ashore now"
The four followed him.
THAT rs Mobile" he said, indicating
haze Of light on the northern horizon.
There is a landing here and a fair
road. By hard walking you should
reach It in the early morning. Thence
you can get home by noon II you're
lucky. But by that time Ruth and I
will be married"
$50 that's your game" Fetter sneer-
ed. II thought you didn't care for the
money"
my dear SIR" said Dorrunce, un.
moved when you have associated
with decent people for any length Of
time-H you ever do-your thoughts
may Be Of some consequence. At pres
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