The Holly chieftain., 1910-07-15
CHAPTER x,l,.-con.inu.d.

Little gal, I'm an ole man. and
hain't never done y'u no harm. Your
haouse is only a leetle way up thar,
and I CANT be no more use to y'u.
want t go home. and II yum holp me
ontie this yere harness" and he
grinned as he viewed his bonds in the
fuller light of the open road.
Then hoof-beats thumped the soft
earth of another of the trails that
converged at this point, and Ardmore
and Collins flashed out upon Jerry
and her captive, amid wild panic of
horses.
Appleweight twisted and turned in
his saddle but Jerry instantly held up
her hand and arrested the inquiries
of her deliverers.
'Mr. Ardmore. this gentleman was
most rudely set upon by two strangers
as he was leaving church over there
somewhere in the woods. was lost,
and as his appearance at the time and
place seemed almost providential,
begged him to guide me toward home.
which he has most courteously DONE"
and Jerry. to give the proper touch
to her explanation, twitched the strap
by which she held her prisoners
horse. SO that 1t danced. adding a
fresh absurdity to the wobbling figure
OF its bound rider.
"You are safe!" cried Ardmore in q
low tone. to which Jerry nodded care
lessly. In way that directed atten-
tion to the more immediate business
at hand. He was not at once sure of
his cue. but there seemed to be some
thing familiar in the outlines of the
man on horseback. and full identified
ton broke upon him now with as
founding vividness.
Jugs" he began, addressing the
prisoner smilingly. dear old Jugs, to
think we should meet again! Since
you handed me the jug on the rear
end of the train, a few nights ago, life
has had new meanings for me, and
vi Just as sorry as can be that gave
you the buttermilk. l wouldn't have
done such a thing for billions in real
money. And now that you have fallen
into the excellent hands of Miss Dam
ger.eld-"
"Dangerfield!" screamed the pris.
oner. lifting himself as high in the
saddle as his bonds would permit.
Certainly" replied Ardmore. your
rescuer is none other than Miss Ger.
aldine Dangerfeld."
why, GAL" began the outlaw, Eel
your pas the guv'nor of Moth Caro-
line, him an mes old frien's."
"Then will you kindly tell me you,
manner" asked Jerry.
ALLOW me to complete the intro
duction," Interrupted Collins. who had
hung back in silence. "Unless m,
eyes deceive me. which is wholly i'm
probable, this is gentleman whom !
once interviewed in the county jai
at Raleigh, and he was known at thai
time as William Appleweight, ALA,
Poteet."
.You air right" admitted the pris
oner without hesitation. and then, ad
dressing Jerry: Yer pa would b.
glad to know his dorter had helped AZ
ole frien' like me, gal. Ye may he,
heard him speak O. me-"
But how about that message il
the cork of the Jug you put on the
train at Kildare" demanded Ard
more. And why did you send YOU
brother to try to scare me to death Al
Raleigh"
THAT is not Of the slightest impor
lance" interrupted Jerry. gently play
ing with the tether which held Mr.
Appleweight: nor does 1t matter thai
papa and this gentleman are friends
II this is indeed the famous outlaw
Mr.. William Appleweight. then. paps
or no papa, friend or no friend, he II
. prisoner Of the state Of North Caro-
lima"
"Prls'ner!" bawled Appleweight-
AN you the guv'nor's gal"
"You have hit the situation exactly
Mr.. Appleweight; and as far as the
Office of governor Is concerned, 1t Is
capably filled by the young gentleman
on your left, Mr.. Thomas Ardmore
Let VI Low adjourn to his house