The state herald., 1912-09-06

Slowly the clearing lifted out OF the
darkness, then the keel boat became
distinguishable; and Darlington
checked the skill by backward
stroke Of the oars.
"Hello," he called.
There was no immediate answer to
his hail. and he called again as he
sent the skifr 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 uniin-
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 a mo-
ment's silence broken by Darlington.
who asked:
Which one of you is Slosson?"
I'm Slosson." answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat un-
der the enlivening and elevating in
fiuence OF corn whisky. but now he
was his own cheerless self. and rath.
er faded 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 fiu.
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 1t righr-lve
done 1t lots OF times" Not under
standing the Significance OF Slosson's
allusion TO his own matrimonial ca.
reer. Darlington held his peace. The
tavern-keeper swore again with un.
impaired vigor. You'll lind mighty
few men with more experience than
me-" he asserted. shaking his head
lNs
I'm all for getting shut OF this!"
answered Darlington promptly. with
n 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 on
the Hat roof OF the cabin which filled
the stern OF the boat lie was remem.
bering that day In the sandy Barony
road-and during all the weeks and
months that had intervened. Murreil
working In secret. had moved stead.
lily toward the fuliilment OF his de
sires! Unquestionably he had been
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-thieyes and
slave steaiers were supposed to main.
tain loosely knit association; he
wondered II Murrell were not the
moving spirit In some such organiza.
tion.
II I'd only pushed my quarrel with
hint" he thought bitterly.
lie heard slosson's shufiiing step In
the distance. n word or two when he
spoke gruiliy to some one. and n mo-
ment later he saw Betty and the boy,
their forms darkly silhouetted against
the lighter sky na they moved along
the top Of tho bank, slosson. with.
out any supcrfuous gailHntry. helped
his captiyes down the slope and
aboard the keel boat. where he locked
them In the cabin. the door OF which
fastened with haHp and wooden peg
You're boss now. pardncr," ho
hhihs loihiHf 'htllHktbH Ut lur ttcrf
ing oar.
Wen cast on then" answered
Darlington.
Thus far nothing had occurred to
mar his plans II they could but quit
the bayou before the arrival OF tho
man whose place he hhd taken tho
rest would be. II not easy of accom-.
pliahment. nt least within tho realm
OF the possible.
Il reckon You're n riyermanr" OBJ
served sloaHon,
IAN my life
Tho line had been cast on. and tho
crew with their setting poles were
forcing the boat away from tho bank
All was quietly done; except for nm
occasional order from Darlington no
word was spoken. and noon tho un.
wloldy craft glidod into tho sluggish
current and gathered way. MIR, Slos.
non. who clearly regarded hia relation
20 the adventure m being Of an ON,