Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-07-25

Il understa1d thefe a talk a. :
y VAUGHAN ESTER


"
eide" he said.
Good" cried Ware.
They are dragging the bayou down
below the house. 1t looks as though
yor we're going to reap the rewards
OF the excellent management you
have given her estate They have
been trying to find you In Memphis.
SO the sooner you show yourself the
better" he concluded Significantly.
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 runl''
She'll be sent down river tonight, :
said Murrell.
! Captain" logan Slosson. who up
to this had taken no part in the con-
versation, when are you going to
cross to t'other side OF the bayou?'
Soon" replied MurreIl. Slosson
laughed.
i didn't know but you'd clean for
got 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 gin EN-
except in Kindness" Mr.. Slosson
looked at Ware with an exceedingly
virtuous expression OF countenance.
He continued: "Yo' orders are that
we're to siipsout OF this a little afore
midnight, but suppose there's hitch
heres the lady knowing what she
knows and here's the boy knowing
what he knows"
There can be no hiteh," rasped out
Murrell arrogantly.
never knew a speculation that
couldn't go wrong; and by rights we
should have got away last night
Well, whose fault is 1t you didn't?''
demanded Murrell.
In a manner it were mine, but the
ark got on sandbank as we were
fetching it in and 1t took us the whole
damn night to get clear"
Well prompted Murrell. with a
sullen frown.
Suppose they get shut Of that no
ton of theirs that the laeys done
drowned herself: suppose they take to
watching the river! Or suppose the
whole damn bottom drops out OF this
deal? What then? The lady, good
looking as she is. knows enough to
make west Tennessee mighty on
healthy for some OF us. say sup
pose it's a. flash in the pan and you
have to crowd the distance in be-
tween you and this part OF the world,
you can't tell me you'll have any use
for her then" Slosson paused i'm
pressively. And here's Mr.. Ware
feeling bad. feeling like hell" he re-
sumed. Him and me don't want to
be left In no trap with you gone God
only knows where"
TN send man to take charge OF
the keel boat can't risk any more
of your bungling, joe"
That's all right. but you don't an
swer my question" persisted Slosson.
with admirable tenacity of purpose.
What is your question. Joe?"
"A lot can happen between this and
midnight
If things go wrong with us there,ll
be blaze at the head of the bayou:
Does that satisfy your.
And what then? r
Murrell hesitated.
What about the girl?" insisted
Slosson. dragging him back to the
point at issue between them. .As a
man / wouldn't lift my hand ag'tn no
good looking woman except. like
said, In kindness: but she cant be
turned loose; she knows too much.
What's the word. Captain-you say
it," he urged. He made a gesture OF
appeal to Ware.
Look for the light; better still.
look for the man I'll send" And with
this MurreH would have turned away,
but Slosson detained him.
Who'll he be?''
Some fellow who knows the river. .
"And If it's the light?s asked the
tavern-keeper in hoarse undertone.
Again he looked toward Ware, who,
dry-lipped and ashen. was regarding
him steadfastly. Glance met glance,
for brief instant they looked into
each others eyes and then the hand
Slosson had rested ON MurrelPs
y =. - IA -