The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-05
MEYER

NSSSN
ADELH DREW BACK, FRIGHTENED. UN-
NEByED.
think I shot down an unarmed man
because they found no weapon upon
him."
"You mean it was stolen?" she asked
vonderingly.
He smiled, shaking his head. mo
common thief would have dared to.
whoever did il must hate me worse
than did the dead man. Stealing that
pistol finishes me if l don't get away.
That's ali. and all / can saw. If YOU
can't believe me-" he added quietly.
there's only one thing for you to do
go to that window and call those
men In here for me- But il you can
believe Newell, permit me to take
this hat"
Ihere was q pause, during which
they looked each other In the eve, he
calmly waiting for her decision, she
as calmly estimating him. Then she
quietly left the room, quickly return
Ing with black felt planters hat.
Take this instead" she said evenly.
rendering it. ut is my brothers"
Thanking her, he turned to go. But
now she was at the window, and after
one hurried glance she confronted him
with white, drawn face and eager. re-
straining hand.
DO you know they are still there.
watching?" she cried. "How cruel to
hunt a man down like that! You will
never be able to get by them. They
will kill you"
If l start they'll know somebody
tried to get by" he returned lightly
"and they'll probably finish me one
way or the other. This way doesn't
involve any legal procrastinations.
That's why prefer It,"
Don't try it, please don't" she
whispered, pushing back her heavy
hair. Il cannot let you make the at
tempt. 1t is suicide!"
"Why, that's about all that's leftSfo
me-to make a good try" he smiled.
Then. suddenly serious and difident.
he added: May tell you something?
Perhaps the circumstances might ex-
cuse Ii If it sounds Overbold for q
stranger TO say. But it Is something
mighty precious that the last thing
heard before going out to make my
try was the voice of a merciful lady
speaking kindly to me and, more
precious still. somehow, that it was
you. i only wish was going to have
q chance to remember 1t longer"
"It isn't kindness" she returned sim
ply. Il know that you t0ld me the
truth. I believe you are an honorable
gentleman wrongly in great danger. L
II have suffered so much myself that
1t Is enough for me to know about you.
Listen! Would it be safe for you to.
cross from our front door to a car
riage?"
Don't try to do anything for noe
th:.t"-
III II were a closed travelling car
riage-just by the door," she persisted
steadily.
''My story is true. and you have be-
lieved it--somehow. But nobody else
would" he said grimly. please do
not try to do anything for me. don't
know your family, but Pm mighty Ger
tain that they'd turn me over to-
"You really must permit me 10 do
RS l think BEST" she interrupted. with
an imperious little gesture softened by
her eyes. I'VE must make the best
plan possible under the circumstances.
1t is out of the question for YOU to-
boldly leave the house, and that set
ties it. / couldn't let you make the at
tempt II you were my worst enemy.
Now. ] will see that the General prom
ises to keep entirely secret the method
~ your entrance and on no account
10 mention the word escape know
he will promise faithfully, and we can
rely upon ii. Meanwhile we must
think or some plan. There must sure
~ be some way She stopped and
assumed an unconcerned expression aS
roulette, one OF the servants. entered
The French muIatto heSitated and
then. pointing straight at Kirby. "a
quired. Shall | take the colonel gen
teman's portmanteau 10 the carriaGe?''
Adele turned, sudden inspiration in
her eyes. Yes, yesw she cried.
breathless with excitement "And
Poulette. tell them to lift the top and.
let the carriage be closed"
ITO Re