Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-11
10 8 corner ot tie building and called

Joe! On, Joel"
Darlington glanced in the direction
of the keel boat and an instant later
saw Slosson Chamber over It's size.
The tayern-keeper crossed to the CAD
In. where he was met by Bess, ~hc
placed in his hands what seemed TO
be wooden bowl. With THIS ne
slouched off to one OF the outDullo-
ipgs, which he entered. Ten OF NJ
teen minutes slipped by, then ne came
from the shed and after securing the
door. returned to the cabin. he was
again met by Bess, who relieved MIN
of the bowl; they exchanged lew
words and Slosson walked away and
afterward disappeared over the side
of the keel boat.
This much was clear to the Ken
tuckian: food had been taken to some
one In the shed--to Betty and the
boy!-more likely to George.
lie waited now for the night to
come, and to him the sun seemed
fixed in the heavens. At Belle Plain
Tom Ware was watching it with
shuddering sense OF the sWlftness OF
its flight. But ut last the tops OF the
tall trees obscured 1t; 1t sank quickly
then and bazed a ball of fire beyond
the Arkansas coast, while Its dying
glory spread aslant the heavens, turn
ing the tanks OF the gray clouds to
violet and purple and gold.
With the first approach Of darkness
Darlington made his way to the shed.
Hidden In the shadow he paused to
listen. and fancied he heard difficult
breathing from within. The door
creaked hideously on its wooden
hinges when he pushed it open, but as
1t swung back the last remnant OF
the days light showed him some ozark
object lying prone on the dirt moor.
He reached down and his hand rested
on q mans booted foot.
George" Darlington spoke softly,
but the man on the floor gave no sign
that he heard. and CarrinGton's ques-
tioning touch stealing higher be found
that George-if it were George-was
lying OH his side with his arms and
legs securely bound. Thinking ne
slept, the kentuckian shook him gent.
~ to arouse him.
"George%" he repeated. still BEND
ing above him. This time an lnarlic-
rlate murmur answered him. At the
same instant the Wooliy head OF the
negro came under his fingers and he
discovered the reason OF his silence.
He was as securely gagged as he was
bound
Listen, Ge6rge-its CarEingto 9esl.-
am going to 5ta Of sytl s agtegissYs !lt
don't speak .abQYe,'a whisper-th&
may hear :lts!f,' Ana he cut the coras
that held the gag, IN place.
How yo'': get. here. Mas'r GAZING
ton?". asked the negro guardedly. as
the gag fell away
Around the head OF the bayou,
"Lawd" exclaimed George, in a
tone OF wonder. ~
Where's Miss Betty
She's in the cabin yonder-ro'
the love Of God, cut these here other
ropes with yo' knife. Mas'r Caington
I'm perishin' with emf. .CarEang-
ton did as he asked, and grooming,
George sat erect. I'm like was
gone to sleep all over" he said.
You'll feel better in moment Tell
me about Miss Malroy?"
"rhey done fetched us here last
night. was drivin' Missy into Raj
eigh-her and young Mas'r Hazard
when TO men stop us in the road"
who were they, do you known
asked Darlington.
"T.awd-Nhat's .h?t2"
Darlington, knife in hand, swung
about on his heel. A lanterns light
flashed suddenly In bis face aid Bess
Hicks. with a low startled cry break
Ing from her lips, paused In the DOOR
way. Spring;ng forward, Darlington
seized her by the wrist.
"Hush!" he grinly warned.
What are you dom here" demand.
ed the girl, as she endeavored to shake
off his hand, but Darlington drew her
into the shed, and closing the door,
set his back against it. There was a
! brief silence during which Bess re-
garded the kentuckian with kind OF
stolid fearlessness. She was the tirst
to speak II reckon you-ali have come
after Miss Malroy," she observed
quietly.
Then you reckon right" answered
Darlington. The girl studied him
from her level browS.
And you-all think you can take
her away from here" she speculated.
81 amt afraid OF yo' knife-you-al
| might use it fast enough on man,
but not on me. I'll help YOU, she
added. Darlington gave her an In
credulous glance. You don't believe
me? That would fetch our men up
from the keel boat. No-yo.ali's knife
wouldn't stop mel"
! Don't be too sure of that, said