The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1910-12-16
CHAPTER xv.-contInu.d.

There's line OF the South Caro-.
lima militia crawling through the
woods toward Raccoon creek. They
insist that It's practice sklrmish and
that they've come over here because
the landscape Is naturally adapted TO
their purposes"
IT'S awfully nice OF them to like
my scenery. You'd better send your
best man out to meet Col. Gllllngwa.
ter Of the North Carolina militia, and
tell him to march all his troops into
the estate by the north gates. and to
be In n hurry. Tell hlm-tell him
Gov Dangcrneld Is anxious to have
the stan present In full uniform at a
grand ball at Ardsley tonight"
Ardmore rode on alone toward Rae.
coon creek to catch a view Of the
enemy How far would Griswold goY
Ardmore could go as far as Girls.
void; yet he was puzzled to know
why Grlswold was in the field at all.
These reflections carried him far to-
ward Raccoon creek, and when he had
reached that tOrtuous stream he dis.
mounted and tied his horse, the more
freely to examine the frontier. BY
jumping from boulder to boulder he
crossed the turbulent tide and gained
the other side with n sense OF enter.
ing the enemys country.
Now" he muttered II am In South
Carolina"
He drew out his map and held II
against tree the better to study Il.
reassurlng himself that his own prop.
erty line embraced several sections OF
the forest on the south side OF the
state boundary.
IT Grlssy shoots me. II will be on
my own land" he said aloud.
He cautiously followed the stream
until, several hundred yards farther
on, and overhanging the creek. he
came upon the log cabin in which Big
Paul had reported the presence OF a
ghost Paul's story had not inter.
ested him particularly, but now that
he was In the nelghborhood he re.
solved 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 log slipping the cylinder
through his fingers he heard whIs.
Ting farther along the creek. followed
quickly by the swapping Of twlgs un.
der heavy tread. and moment later
a tall. slender man broke into view.
The stranger was dressed like a
countryman, but he was Enthusiastically
not OF the Ardsley force OF workmen.
for these wore a rough sort Of uni.
form. His hands were thrust careless.
ly into the side pockets OF 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 n
gray flannel shirt, the collar Of which
was guiltless Of tie. He was smooth
shaver, and carried In his mouth
short pipe, which he paused to relght
when about dozen yards from Ard.
more, Then, as he held the lighted
match above the pipe bowl for an In.
slant to make sure his tobacco was
burning, Ardmore jumped up and GOV.
cred him with the pistol
81 beg your pardon" said the mas,
Ter of Ardsley but you're my pris,
oner!" ta
The stranger shook the flame out
of the match.stlck carefully aud threw
1t away before turning toward his
captor.
Young man." lie said with perfect
self-possessIon, don't fool with that
gun, II might go on"
His drawl was Characteristic OF the
'egion; his tone was one Of amused
tolerance. Ardmore was short OF
stature, and his knickerbockers,
legglngs and Norfolk jacket were
not wholly consonant with the re.
tolver, which, however, he leveled
very steadily at the strangers head
you are an intruder on my proper
IT," said the master OF Ardsley, "and.