Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-08-29

HIS udll, anu ne CdllGu d6oAh 90 ~ |
sent the skiff forward.
What do you want?" asked surly
voice.
You want Slosson!" quickly !
prompted the girl in whisper.
Il want to see Slosson!" said Car
rington glibly and with confidence.
Who be you?"
"Murrell sent you" prompted the
girl again, in hurried whisper.
"Murrell-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent mel" said Darlington quick
ly, as though completing an unhn-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row closter!" came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden. Four men stood IN
the bow of the keel boat, a lantern
was raised aloft and by its light they
looked him over. There was mo-
ment's silence broken by Darlington,
who asked:
(which one of you is SlossonY
I'm Slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat I'M
der the enlivening and elevating in
huence OF corn whisky, but now he
was his own cheerless self, and rath-
er jaded by the passing Of the hours
which he had sacrificed to an irk-
some responsibility. What word do
you fetch from the captain, brother?"
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with SURPRISING fu-
ency
Say, we're five able-bodied men
risking our necks to oblige him! You
can get married damn sight easier
than this ii you go about it right-lve
done it lots OF times" Not under
standing the significance OF Slosson
allusion to his own matrimonial ca
reer, Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper. swore again with I'M
impaired vigor. You'll find mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted, shaking his head
But If you say the word"
I'm all for getting shut OF this!"
answered Darlington promptly, with
sweep of his arm. Il call these
pretty close quarters!"
Still shaking his head and mutter-
ing. the tavern-keeper sprang ashore
and mounted the bank, where his
slouching figure quickly lost itself in
the night.
Darlington took up his station or
the fiat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern of the boat. He was remem
bering that day in the sandy Barony
road-and during all the weeks and
months that had interviewed, Murrell
working in secret, had moved stead
fly toward the fultilment OF his de
sires! Unquestionably he had beer
back of the attack on Norton, had In
spired his subsequent murder, and the
mans sinister and mysterious power
had never been suspected. Caring
ton knew that the horse-thieves anC
slave stealers were supposed to main
tain a loosely knit association; h'
wondered II Murrell we're not thu
moving spirit in some such organiza
ton.
IF I'd only pushed my quarrel will
him!" he thought bitterly.
He heard Slosson's shuffiing step II
the distance, a word or two when h,
spoke gruffiy to some one, and mo
ment later he saw Betty and the boy
, their forms darkly silhouetted agains
the, lighter sky as they moved alont
, the top of the bank Slosson, with
out any superfiuous gallantry, helpe'
his captives down the slope ant
aboard the keel boat, where he locke'
them in the cabin, the door OF whicl
fastened with hasp and wooden peg
You're boss now, pardner!" h
said. Joining Darlington at the steer
1 ing oar.
, wen cast of then" answere'
] Darlington.
> Thus far nothing had occurred L
} mar his plans. II they could but qui
the bayou before the arrival OF tn
man whose place he had taken tn
rest would be, II not easy Of accom-
plishment, at least within the realm
of the possible.
: 81 reckon you're river-man?" OF
D served Slosson.
s "All my life"
4 The line had been cast on, and tn
e crew with their setting poles wer
r forcing the boat away from the bank
e All was quietly done; except for a.
a occasional order from Darlington n
word was spoken, and soon the VI
0 wieldy craft glided into the sluggis
current and gathered way. Mr. Sloi
son. who clearly regarded his relatio
r to the adventure as being Of an of
I cial character, continued to stand a
Carrington's elbow.