The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-26

left alone. they were not afraid OF
what he knew now, only desirous Of
not being seen Confident as TO this,
he retreated openly. without making
the slightest effort TO conceal his
movements, until he had regained the
scene OF murder. In evidence OF the
truth OF his theory no further shots
were fired, and although he watChed
that opposite sand bank carefully not
the slightest movement revealed the
presence Of others. That every no
ton he made was being observed by
keen eyes he had no doubt but this
knowledge did not disconcert him.
now that he felt convinced fear of re-
vealment would keep his watchers at
safe distance. Whoever they might
be they were evidently more anxious
to escape discovery than he was fear
full Of attack. and possessed no desire
to take his life, unless II became
necessary to prevent recognition.
They still had every reason to believe
their attack on the wagons would be
credited to hostile Indians, and would
consider it far safer to remain con-
cealed. and thus harbor this supposi-
tion. They could not suspect that
Keith had already stumbled upon the
truth. and was dete mined to verify
It,
Secure In this conception Of the sit
uation, yet still keeping a wary eye
about to guard against any treachery,
the plainsman, discovering spade In
the nearest wagon, hastily dug a hole
In the sand. wrapped the dead bodies
In blankets. and deposited tbs y there
In, piling above the mound the char
red remains Of boxes as some slight
protection against prowling wolves.
He searched the clothing of the men,
but found little to reward the effort.
few letters which were slipped into
his pockets to be read later, some or
dinary trinkets hardly worth preserv-
Ing except that they might assist In
Identifying the victims, and, about the
neck Of the elder man, a rather pc
cul1ar locket, containing a portrait
painted on ivory Keith was a long
time opening this. the spring being
very lngenlously concealed, but upon
finally succeeding, he looked upon the
features Of woman Of middle age.
strong mature face Of marked re-
nnement, exceedingly attractive still.
with smiling dark eyes and a perfect
wealth OF reddish brown hair. He
held the locket open In his hand for
several minutes. wondering who she
could be. and what possible connec-
ton she could have held with the
dead. Something about that face
smiling up into his own held peculiar
fascination for him. gripping him with
strange feeling 81 familiarity. touch
Ing some dim memory which failed
to respond. Surely he had never seen
the original, for she was not one to
be easily forgotten, and yet eyes.
hair. expression, combined to remind
him OF some one whom he had seen
put could not bring definitely to mind.
There were no names on the locket.
no marks Of Identification of any kind
yet realizing the sacredness of II
Keith slipped the fragile gold chain
about his neck. and securely hid the
trinket beneath his shirt.
1t was noon by this time. the sun
high overhead, and his horse, with
dangling rein. still nibbling daintily
at the short grass. There was no rea.
son for his lingering longer. He swept
his gaze the length and breadth of the
desolate valley and across the river
over the sand hills. All alike appear
ed deserted, not a moving thing being
visible between the bluffs and the
stream. Still he had the unpleasant
feeling of being watched. and il made
him restless and eager TO be awav.
The earlier gust Of anger, the spirit
of revenge. had left him. but il had
merely changed into logged resolu-
ton to discover the perpetrators of
this outrage and bring them to Justice
for the crime. The face in the locket
seemed to ask IL of him. and his ma.
ture urged response. But he could
hope to accomplish nothing more
here, and the plainsman swung him.
self into the saddle. He turned his
horses head eastward, and rode
away. From the deeply rutted trail
he looked back to where the fire still
smoked IN the midst of that desolats
silence.