The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-01-03

sing the doxology before we git thar"
What's that light away OF there?'
asked Habersham.
The guide 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 ie
their way.
Tibet must be on Ardmore's land
said the leader finally 1T shoots out |
all sorts O. ways round hyeh. and
reckon thet's which Raccoon creek
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 and 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 1t
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 big party on there
now. and l have seen some Of the
guests in Turner's within day or
| 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 it really hurt him now.
Come on" called Habersham.
Half the company rode ahead te
gain the farther side of the church
the remainder, including Griswold ant
Habersham, soon dismounted and tiet
. their horses out of sight of the coun
try road which they had latterly beel
following.
I'VE are in plenty Of time" salt
Habersham, looking at his watch
THE rest of the boys are closing II
from the other side and they will b
ready for Appleweight when he fin
5 ishes his devotions. We've been study
. ing the old mans habits and he has
( particular place where he ties hi
a horse back Of the church. It's Ii
tie apart from the fence where mos
e of the congregation hitch, and b
t chose it, no doubt, because in cas-
= of a surprise he would have plent
d of room for maneuvering. Two me
d are going to lay for him, seize an
v gag him and carry him into the WOO
n back of the church; and then wei
o. on across the state line to lock hi
4 up in Jail at Kildare and give Go
p Dangerfield the shock of his life"
r. 1T sounds simple enough; but
4. won't be long before Appleweight
:. friends miss him You must remer
" Der that they are a shrewd lot"
"a We've got to take our chance
:. Let's hope we are as shrewd as thu
,e are" replied Habersham.
ID They moved softly through Il
rs wood and presently the faint sound
ye singing reached them.
IN "Old Rabdick has finished his Sc
mon and we'll know the worst in
tr. few minutes"
de One of the party had already
of tached himself and crept forward
ward the chuch. to meet his appoint
3 comrade in the enterprise, who was
HI come in from the other side.
III The clapboard church presented
III the moonlight the austerest outlin
n and as the men waited. a rude thou
unseen hand was slamming the wo'
en- shutters that protected the "
dows from impious violence.
I'VE could do with less MOON" m
ii tered Habersham, as he and Grisw'
peered through the trees into
churchyard-
m There goes Bill Appleweight no.
~ whispered one of the natives at
r. elbow, and Griswold felt his hes
n beats quicken as he watched
,P figure silhouetted against the chul
IA and moving swiftly toward the r
"a of the building. At the front of
q church voices sounded, as the
T. parting worshipers rode or drove ST.
s. ly away.
JT Habersham laid his hand sudde
on Griswold's arm.
ard They've got him, They've mai
him, See, There, They're yank
him back into the timber. They
his taken him and his horse,"
ebo Griswold saw nothing but mon
ley tary confusion of shadows. then
uke feet silence hung over the woods
nd hind the little church. The con.
'ors CATION was slowly dispensing, rid
in away in little groups Suddenly
/, if voice called out in the road 100 va
ere beyond the church:
and Hey, there, Where's Bill?"
"Oh. he's gone long ago." We
he'd another.
lax In moment more the church q
ber- slammed and last figure rode ra
ails ly away.
arm (TO BE CONTINUED)