The Washington herald., 1909-10-18
By
MEREDITH
NlCHOL0N
CHAPTER XIII.

At their head rode the guide OF the ex-
pedition-a long. silent man on a mule.
Griswold and Habersham followed i'm
mediately behind him on horseback. Their
plans had been carefully arranged be-
fore they left their rendezvous, and save
for an occasional brief interchange be-
tween prosecuting attorney and the gov
ernOr's special representative, the party
logged on In silence. Habersham's re-
crults were, It may be said, farmers OF
the border who had awaited for years
Just such an opportunity as now offered
to avenge themselves upon the insolent
party had some private score 10 settle,
but they had all been sworn as special
cOnstabres and were sobered by the knowl-
edge that the power OF the State OF
South Carolina was back Of them.
Thus. at the very hour that Mr.. Ard
more and his Heutenants rode away
from the lonely anchorage OF the ca
boose, Prof. Griswold and his cavalcade
set out for Mount NebO Church. While
the master Of Ardsley was revenging
himself upon the Duke Of Ballywinkle,
his dearest friend against whom he had
closed the doors OF his house, was los
ing no time in setting forth upon q mis-
sion which, II successful. would seriously
interfere with all Mr.. Ardmore's hopes
and plans. Ardmore's scarlet fever tele-
gram no longer ranked IN the breast OF
the associate professor Of admiralty OF
the University Of Virginia, for GriswOld
knew that no matter what might be
the outcome Of his effort 70 uphold the
Of "A Of
Carolina, his participation IN any such
adventure would 50 cover his friend with
envy that he would have him forever at
his mercy. Thomas Ardsiey deserved
punishment - there was no doubt Of
that: and as Prof. GriswOld was not
more or less than a human being. he
took comfort Of the reflection.
The guide Of the expedition pushed his
mule forward az a fast walk. making
no excuses to Griswold and Habersham
FOR the rOughness or the trails he chose,
nor troubling 20 give warning of sharp
turns where a horse. being less wise than
a mule, tObOgganed madly before finding
a foOthold Occasionally a low hanging
limb switched the associate professor
sharply across the face. but his temper
continued serene where the trail was
darkest and steepest. and he found HIM
polite questions about the university in
his effort 90 summon I'D in memory
certain ways Of Barbara Osborne which
baffied him. He deplOred the time he
had given 10 the study OF a stupid pro-
fession Ike the law. when. If he had
applied himself with equal diligence TO
poetry. ne might have made for himself
a place at least as high in belles-lettres.
In his college days he had sometimes
thrummed a guitar. and there was
little song I'm his heart. half formed,
and with only a line or two as vet
tangible, which he felt sure he could
write down on paper II IL were not that
the bugles summoned him TO war. Il
was a song OF a white rose which a
lover wore in his heart. through winter
and summer. and 1t never changed. and
the flight OF the seasons had no manner
Of effect on IT,
Check up. CANT your" snarled the
man on the mule, laying hold Of Girls
wold's rein: and thus halted. Griswold
found that they had been circling round
a curiously symmetrical Lnickly wooded
hill. and had finally come 20 a clearing
whence they We're able to gaze far OF
toward the north.
We are almost out OF bounds" said
Habersham pointing over there some
where, across the hills. lies North Caro-
lima I am as thoroughly lost as you
can possibly be; but these men know
where they are. How far IS IL, Billy
he addressed the silent guide-''to Mount
Nebo?'
About four mile. and I reckon we'd
better let out a leete now or they'll
sing the doxology before we sit thar
What's that light away of there?''
asked Habersham.
The guide paused TO examine II. and
the faint glow far down the vale seemed
20 perpleX him. He spoke TO one or
two other natives and they viewed the
light ruminatIvely. as is their way.
Tibet must be on Ardmore's land, %
said the leader finally 1t shoots out
all sorts o. ways round hyeh. and I
reckon thet's about which RacCOon Creek
cuts through"
That's very likely" said Habersham.
I've seen the plat Of what Ardmore
owns on this side the border at the
courthouse. and ] remember that there's
a long strip in Mingo County that Is
Ardsley land. ArdmOre has houses OF
one kind and another scattered all over
the estate. and those lights may be from
enc OF them. You know the place
don't you?"
Yes. I've visited there" admitted Girls
void. But we'd better give Il a wide
berth. The whole estate is simply in
tested with scarlet fever. They're quar-
antined."
Il guess that's a Joke" said Haber-
sham. There's a biz party on there
now, and have seen some Of the guests
in Turner'S within a day or two"
Within how many days?" demanded
thought that Ardmore had lied TO keep him
away from Ardsley-from Ardmore's
house! The thought of IL really hurt
him now. Could It be possible that Ard
more had guests so distinguished that
he. Griswold. was not worthy TO make
their acquaintance, He experienced a
real pang as he thought that here he
was. within a short ride Of the home
Of his dearest friend the man whom
most he loved of all men, and that he
had been denied the door Of that friend s
house.
Come on" called Habersham.
Half the company rode ahead 20 gain
the farther side of the church; the re-
mainedr including Griswold and Haber-
sham. soon dsmounted and tied their
horses out OF sight OF the country road
which they had latterly been following.
I'VE are in plenty OF time" said
Habersham, looking at his watch THE
rest Of the boys are closing in from
the other side and they viii be ready
for Appleweight when he finishes his
devotions. We've been studying the old
mans habits and he has a particular
place where ne ties his horse back Of
the church. It's a little apart from the
fence where most OF the congregation
hitch, and he chose It. no doubt, be-
cause in case of a surprise he would
have plenty of room for maneuvering.
Two men are going to lay for him, seize
and gag him and carry him into the wood
back Of the church: and then we're off