The Detroit times., 1911-11-02
The Prodigal Judge
VAUGHAN KESTER
(CopyrighL 1871. tn. Bobbs- Merrill Company

laughed his cool laugh OF triumph.
Let you go-ask me anything but
that, Betty, Have you no reward for
patience such as mine? A whole sum-
mer has passed since saw you
first"
There was the noisy shuffllng OF
feet on the stairs, and releasing Betty,
Murrell swung about on his heel and
faced the door. IL was pushed open
an inch at a time by a not too conf
dent hand and Mr.. Slosson thus
guardedly presented himself TO the
eye OF his chief. whom he beckoned
from the room.
"well?" said Murreh. when they
stood together on the landing.
Just com across TO the keel boat .
and Slosson led the way down stairs
and from the house.
Damn you, Joe, you might have
waited" observed the outlaw. Slosson
gave him hardened grin. They
crossed the clearing and boarded the
keel boat which rested against the
bank As they did so the cabin in the
stern gave up a shattered presence in
the shape OF Tom Ware. Murrell
started violently. Il thought you
were hanging out in Memphis. Tom?"
he said, and his brow darkened as,
sinister and forbidding. he stepped
closer to the planter. Ware did not
answer at once. but looked at Murrell
out OF heavy bloodshot eyes, his face
pinched and CHASTITY. AT last he said,
speaking with visible effort.
II stayed in Memphis until five
o'clock this morning.
Damn your early hours!" roared
Murrell. What are you doing here?
suppose you've been showing that
dead face OF yours about the neighbor-
hood-why didn't you stay at Belle
Plain, since you couldn't keep away.
II haven't been near Belle Plain;
came here instead. How am l going
to meet people and answer ques-
tions?" His teeth we're chattering.
lis IL known she's missing?" he add
ed
Hicks raised the alarm the first
thing this morning, according 10 the
instructions Id given him"
"Yes?" gasped Ware. He was drip
ping from every pore and the sickly
color came and went on his unshaven
cheeks. Murrell dropped heavy
hand on his shoulder.
you haven't been at Belle Plain.
you say. but has any one seen you on
the road this morning."
mo one, John" cried Ware, painting
between each word. There was mo-
ment's pause and Ware spoke again.
What are they doing at Belle Plain?'
he demanded in whisper. MurrelPs
lips curled.
Il understand there is talk OF sui
eide he said
Good cried Ware,
They are dragging the bayou
down below the house. IL looks as
though you were going to reap the
rewards OF the excellent management
you have given her estate. They
have been trying to find you In Mem
phis, so the sooner you show yourself
the better" he concluded signif-
cantly
"You are sure you have her safe,
John; no chance of discovery? For
Gods sake get her away from here as
soon as you can; it's an awful risk
you rum"
She'll be sent down river to-
night" said Murrell.
Captain" began Slosson, who up to
Hdu uO pat III IHS SOh'S'-
sation, when are you going TO cross
to t'other side OF the bayou?
soon" replied Murrell. Slosson
laughed.
IL didn't know but you'd clean for
get the Clans business. ] want TO
ask another question-but first ! want
to say that no one thinks higher or
more frequent OF the ladies than just
me: I'm genuinely fond OF EN-, and
I've never lifted my hand agin 'em
except in kindness" Mr.. Slosson look
ed at Ware with an exceedingly virtu-
yous expression OF countenance. He
continued "Yo' orders are that we're
TO slip out OF this little afore mid
night. but suppose there's hitch
here's the lady knowing what she
knows and here's the boy knowing
what he knows
There can be no hitch" rasped out
Murrell arrogantly.
'T never knew a speculation that
couldn't 90 wrong; and by rights we
should have got away last night"
well. whose fault is II you didn't"
demanded Murrell.
''In a manner IL we're mine, but the
ark got on a sandbank as we were
fetching II in and 1t took us the whole
damn night to get clear
'N, erl?" prompted Murrell, with a
sullen frown.
(Continued).
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