Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-04

O 10 btNtg
coach Darlington stepped to her side.
Il suppose you'll stop here, Miss
Malroy," he said. indicating the tav.
ern before which the stage had come
to a stand.
Yes" said Betty briefly.
III ! can be OF any service 10 you
he began. with Just a touch OF awk'
wardness In his manner.
NO. | thank you, Mr.. Darlington"
said Betty quickly.
Good night good.by." He
turned away. and Betty saw his tall
form disappear In the twilight
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just W o
days later nan and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. Mlrrell was soon
on their trail and pressing forward
In hot pursuit. Reaching the noun
tains, he heard of them first as ten
days ahead OF him and bound for
west TENNESSEE: the ten days OWN
died to n week, the week became nVe
days, the five days three; and now
as he emerged from the last range OF
hills he caught sight Of them.
Yancy glanced back at the blue wall
Of the mountains where 1t lay along
the horizon.
We'll, Nevvy," he said. we've put
a heap of distance between us and
old Scratch Hill"
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted in a %leisurely
fashion. AS Yancy sid, they were
seeing the world, and it was well to
take a good look at 1t while they had
q chance.
Suddenly out of the silence came
the regular beat Of hoofs. These
grew nearer and nearer, and at last
when they were quite close, Yancy
faced about. Smilingly Murrell refined
in his horse.
"Why-Bob Yancy." he cried in
apparent establishment
Yes, sir-Bob Yancy Does 1t hap
pen you are looking TO him, Cap
tain?' inquired Yancy.
Mono. Bob I'm Tn my way
west"
Murrell slipped from his saddle and
fell into step at Yancy's side as they
moved forward.
They were nightly stirred up at
the Cross Roads when | left. wonder.
ing what had come of you," he OBJ
served.
That's kind Of them responded
Yancy. a little dryly. There was no
reason for It, but he was becoming
distrustful of Murrell, and uneasy.
They went forward in silence. A
sudden turn in the road brought them
to the edge OF an extensive clearing.
Close to the road there were several
buildings. but not a tree had been
spared to shelter them and they stood
forth starkIy, the completing touch to
a civilization that was still in It's
youth. unkempt. rather savage. and
ruthlessly unitarian. A sign an.
rounced the dingy structure OF logs
nearest the roadside a tavern.
From the door OF the tavern the
figure Of "A man emerged. lie was
black haired and bull.necked. and
there was about him a certain shag.
gincss which Il recent toilet performed
at the horse trough had not served TO
mitigate.
"liowdy?" he drawled.
"Howdy?" responded Mr.. Yancy.
Shall you stop here" asked Muir
rell, sinking his voice. Yancy nodded.
Can you put us up?' inquired Muir.
reli, turning to the tav~ern-keeper.
Il reckon that's what I'm here for"
said Slosson. Murrell glanced about
the empty yard. Slack" observed
S!osson languidly. Yes. sir. slack's
the only name tor IT," 1t was under.
stood he referred TO the state OF trade.
lie looked from one to the other OF
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
Murrell, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers of his right hand.
The gesture was ever SO little, yet II
seemed to have a tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into a smile had he not Immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded
lips as he made an answering move
ment. "Eph, come here, you!" Slos-
son raised his voice. This call
brought "A half grown black boy from
about a corner Of the tavern, to whom
Murrell relinquished his horse.
Lets liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder. moving on In the direc.
tion OF the bar.
Come on. Nevvy!" said Yancy fol.
lowing, and they all entered the tav'
ern.
We'll here's to the best OF good
luck" said Murrcll. as ne raised his
glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy.
Murrcll pulled out a roll OF bills. one