New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-16


Two servants were in the house, Fora and Violet.
The quail was within fifty yards OF her, when someone
came running over the path behind her. She turned
with reonstrant gesture but fora clutched her arm.
They've done kctched NIisr Marrimon, she painted,
the egyptians.
ooh no., a low frightened protest
"'Thev sure has, Miss Chairman an they've drug
him off into the woods t'oher side the crck. )asp, he
done hid hssef under that ar bunch O cnkapinS whar
de cart road runs into dc woods, an he sure seen
with a swift hand on her shoulder CHAIRMAN
marched her forward and opened the stable door.
So Bring Barry Quit! she commanded and ran herself
for whip and bride. Don't be afraid, her firm hands
assisting the girls shaking ones; nobody wants TO hurt
YOU or me She led the horse to the fence Get on!
Cross the pasure,-that's the nearest way-tord the
branch and, when YOU come out on the road, plunge
ahead to Major Towards. Make Barny go! Make HIM
got She put the whip into the girls hands turned and
sped toward the house, her forgotten skirt gathering
dew and drabblc as she
"Violet met her on the porch. Her young mistress
looked desperate and the instinct Of the old nurse was
to mcliorate the news.
Honey she said I don't guess they aim to do him
10 death; there amt AIRY Of EN- got gun but es
Logue Hammer. Thcy's got ropes an some big hlck-
ries, an reckon they'll jes lay right smart o ckS on
him.
"'How many therc?'
"'Thercs eight. Honey. They been a drinkn',
every last Of EN-, an Logue he act like he's plumb
drunk"
"'Logue Hammer with gun and drunk, and hating
Mr. Marrimon desperately she flew through the hall
into room at its arheSt end and out again with
her rifle and cartridge belt. With definite idea OF the
use she would make Of the weapon but trusting to the
inspiration Of peril. she loaded II with rapid hands,
crushed close to her waist her snowy trilngs, and
buced the belt into place then sprang away into the
darkness.
"'Ycs, come she answered volets entreaty; but I
can't wait for you'll
THE high road looked gray and smooth between its
darkly foiagcd bordcrings and to old Violet tolng
far behind her and grooming nccant rcmonstance the
girl seemed to skim it like a fleeing ghost.
"The woodland road, only ribbon OF clearing tapping
through a hillside forest, opened at the lett 1t was
rarely used excepting for the transfer OF timber, was
matted with weeds and wcgass and canoplcd with IN
tcrlacing branches. She turned into it, by instinct
than by sight and pushed forward into the double dark
Of the night and woods DauntcsSy still She went;
but not rapidly for and tussocks lay in wait for her
impatient feet. and weeds insnared them. Wild,
startled animals rustled the foliage on each side Of her
unnouced, and once, when lcaplng, furry creature
brushed her swinging hand she only drew up the hand
and braccd il at her side pair OF laundering owls at
tackled her. Owls often attack pedestrian whether
with malicious purpose from mere bewildcrment, |
do not know. Their wings Tapped her face. She beat
them away with her rifle but made no halt. \ dew
berry tangle brought her to her knees. Insnctiycly
she held her rifle high found purchase among the thOnS
for her free hand helped herself to her feet forged for
ward, and never knew that She had left shoe in the
snare or that ankles and hand were torn and bleeding
Her sight and hearing alert but only for torch or
freight or the sound OF human voices.
A IL came to her at once. The road crossed shall
low ravne whose sides few rods 10 her left re-
coded suddenly forming sheltered level Here were
the Egyptians, grotcsquc, hcndkc among the torches
farng lights and the shifting shadows Of the trees, their
howls Of fury alternating with bursts Of hooking laugh
ter. She stole softly into the woods; but every leaf
cried out and even the spongy soil under her feet was
trcacherousy So She waited for the intcmt
tent bursts Of carousc pressed forward while they lasted
and stood brcahlcss in the lulls.
She had recognized the locality, the partly cleared
circle about the big poplar huge tulip tree that had
long been landmark to the woodsman, and now gain
ing The yewpont u a Knoll She could parN overlook