The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-08-09
y VAUCHANKESTEP
XkusZI4Z20XS By MEZYZ,L

lit stretch OF water was Betty-the
thought OF her brought him to quick
choking terrors. The whole fabric OF
crime by which he had been benefited
in the past or had expected to profit
in the future seemed topping in upon
him, but his mind clutched one I'M
pOrtant fact. Hues, if he knew OF
Betty's disappearance, did not con-
meet MurreH with it. Ware sucked in
comfort between his twitching lips.
Stealing niggers No one would be-
lfeve that he, planter, had hand in
that, and for a brief instant he con-
sidered signaling Bess to return. SIos-
son must be told of Murrell's arrest;
but he was sick with apprehension,
some trap might have been prepared
for him, he could not know; and the
impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together in
hopeless, beaten gesture. And Muir
reil had gone weak-with his own
eyes he had seen Naturalization
he believed without fear! He felt that
ne had been grievously betrayed in
his trust and a hot rage poured
through him. At last he climbed in
to the saddle, and, swaying like
drunken man, galloped Off
When he reached the river road
he paused and scanned it's dusty sur
face. Hues and his party had turned
south when they issued from the wood
path. No doubt Murreu was being
taken to Memphis. Ware laughed
harshly. The outlaw would be free
before another dawn broke.
He had halted near where Jim had
turned his team the previous night
after Betty and Hannibal had left the
carriage; the marks of the wheels
were as plainly distinguishable as the
more recent trail left by the four men.
and as he grasped the significance of
that wide half circle his sense OF in
jury overwhelmed him again He
hoped 10 live to see Murrell hanged
He was SO completely lost in his
bitter reflections that he had been I'M
aware of mounted man who was
coming toward him at a swift gallop,
but now he heard the steady pounding
OF hoofs and. startled by the sound,
looked up A moment later the horse
man drew rein at his side
Ware" he cried.
How are you, Carrington?' said
the planter.
You are wanted at Belle Plain be-
gan Darlington, and seemed TO hest
tate
Yes-yes, am going there at once
how" stammered Ware, and gath
cred up his reins with a shaking hand
you've heard, | take it," said Car
rington slowly.
Yes, answered Ware, In hoarse
whisper My God, Darlington, I'm
heart sick; she has been like daugh-
ter to mel" he fell silent, mop
ping mis- face.
~ think | understand your feeling"
said Darlington, giving him a level
glance.
Then you'll excuse me-" and the
planted clapped spurs to his horse.
Once he looked back over his Shout
der; he saw that Darlington had not
moved from the spot where they had
met.
At Belle Plain, Ware found his
neighbors in possession of the place
They greeted him quietly and spoke
in subdued tones of their sympathy.
When he could he shut himself in
his room. He had experienced a day
of maddening anxiety; he had not
slept at all the previous night; In
mind and body he was worn out; and
now he was plunged into the thick OF
this sensation. He must keep control
of himself
He sought to forecast the happen
ings of the next few hours. Murrelrs
friends would break jail for him, that
was a foregone conclusion; but the
insurrection he had planned was at
an end. Hues had dealt its death
blow Moreover, though the law
might De impotent to deal with Muir
rell, he could not hope to escape the
vengeance of the powerful class he
had plotted to destroy; he would have
to quit the country. Ware gloated in
this idea Of craven flight. Thank
God. he had seen the last of him.
But, as always, his thoughts came
back to Betty Slosson would wait at
Hicks place for the man MurreII had
promised him, and, failing the mes
senger, for the signal fire, but there
would be peither; and Slosson would
be left to determine his own course OF
action Ware felt certain that he
would wait through the night, but as
sure as the morning broke, if no word
had reached him, he would send one