Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1910-07-27

asked Habersham.
The guiee paused to examine, and
the faint glow far down the vale
seemed to perplex him. He spoke to
one or two other natives and they
viewed the light ruminatively. as 1,
their way.
Tibet must be on Ardmore's land.
said the leader finally. ct shoots out
all sorts o ways round hyeh, and ]
reckon thets wheh Raccoon creel
cuts through"
That's very likely" said Haber
sham. I've seen the plat of what
Ardmore owns on this side the border
at the courthouse, and l remember
that there's a long strip in Mingo
county that is Ardsley land. Ardmore
has houses OF one kind ard another
scattered all over the estate and those
lights may be from one of them. You
know the place, don't you?"
Yes; I've visited there" admitted
Griswold. "But we'd better give it a
wide berth. The whole estate is sim
ply infested with scarlet fever
They're quarantined."
Il guess that's joke said Haber
sham. There's a big party on there
now, and have seen some OF the
guests in Turner's within a day Oh
two"
within how many days?" demand
ed Griswold. his heart sinking at the
thought that Ardmore had lied to him
to keep him away from Ardsley-
from Ardmore's house, The thought
of 1t really hurt him now.
Come on" called Hahersham.
Half the company rode ahead 10
gain the farther side OF the church;
the remainder, including Griswold and
Habersham, soon dismounted and tied
their horses out of sight of the coun.
try road which they had latterly been
following.
we are in plenty of time" said
Habersham. looking at his watch.
THE rest of the boys arr closing In
from the other side and they will be
ready for Appleweight when he fin.
ishes his devotions We've been study
ing the old mans habits and he has
particular place where he ties his
horse back of the church It's q lit.
tie apart from the fence where most
OF the congregation hitch, and he
chose 1t, no doubt, because in case
of surprise he would have plenty
OF room for maneuverirg 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 across the state line Go lock him
up IN Jail at Kildare and give Gov
Dangerfield the shock of bis life"
1T sounds simple enough; but II
won't be long before Appleweights
friends miss him. YoL must remem.
Der that they are a sh1 ewd lot"
We've got to take our chances
Let's hope we are as shrewd as they
are" replied Habersham
They moved softly through thu
wood and presently the faint sound of
singing reached them.
"Old Rabdick has finished his ger.
mon and we'll know the worst In {.
few minutes"
One of the party had already do
tached himself and .rept forward to-
ward the chuch, to meet his appointed
comrade in the enterprise, who was to
| come in from the other side.
The clapboard church presented In
the moonlight the austerest outlines.
and as the men waited, a rude though
unseen hand was slamming the woud
en- shutters that protected the win.
dows from impious violence.
1--WE could do with less MOON" NUT
tered Habersham, as he and Griswold
peered through the trees into tn,
churchyard.
There goes Bill Appleweight now"
whispered one of the natives at his
elbow, and Griswold felt his heart
beats quicken As he watched a tall
figure silhouetted against the church
and moving swiftly toward the rear
of the building. At the front of the
church voices sounded. as the dc.
parting worshipers rode or drove slow.
| ly away.
HabershaD laid his hand suddenly
| on Griswold'o arm.
They've got him! They've nailed
him! Sect There! They're yankina
him back into the timber. THEY'VE
taken him and his horse"
Griswold saw nothing but q momeu
tary confusion OF shadows. then ner
feet silence hung over the woods he
hind the little church The congre
cation was slowly dispensing. r,dIns
away in little groups. Suddenly n
voice called out in the road 100 ward.
| beyond the church:
Hey, there! Where's BfIY
'0h. he's gone long ago!" YELLED
another
In moment more the church door
slammed and last figure rode rapid
| ly away.