The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-12-06

) now It's done, so get her, | though
. she'd marry me to save the boy. BIT
e II she won't, why then. you carry on
your plan-what is it?"
5 Fagin laughed. again emptyins hi
I glass.
Easy enough. She's alone, excep
, fer her father, and he can't get out @
: bed. We've got jerks here, an tn
damned old coward will do whateye
/ tell him"
/. But she despises me"
"Oh, no! Well make you a victim
That will leave things in proper shap,
between yer two. Well play 1t off al
a drunken lark-eh, Jones? My God
1t won't be the first time we've don,
the trick either. DO you remembei
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River, Ned? Never laughed so much
in my life. This Is a better one. Lord
but won't old Mortimer rave. an
mighty little good 1t will do him
Come. what do yer say, Grant? Arc
yer gamer"
"Hell's fire-yes," He got to his
feet, gripping the back of his chair
"Bring-bring 'em in; this is a good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his fist.
"Of course 1t is, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring In the
PREACHER"
1t was growing daylight / could
perceive the glow OF the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sputtered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
Of the three e As Bill disappeared
into the parlor. / stole silently back
to the library door.
Tom" / whispered briefly. "and the
boys, and bring them in here, through
that broken window. They are In the
orchard to the right. and there are no
guards in front. Move lively. but be
quiet"
What is it, Maori" asked young
Mortimer, eagerly.
II cant explain now. / must get
back where ! can see and hear. But
there Is going to be a fight. Hold the
men ready here until | call. See that
their weapons are in good order"
caught the CLINT Of bis eye, but
could wait no longer. Indeed was
scarcely back. snuggled under the
stairs, when Bill came forth, gripping
the collar Of his prisoners coat, and
urging him down the hall. | crouched
lower, the morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place, yet with
mind nor at ease, now I knew the
men were close at hand. Within five
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded into that ROOM, eager for
trouble to begin. Probably Fagin did
not have a half-dozen fellows in the
house. If we could strike swiftly
enough we might overpower them all, |
without creating alarm outside, where
the main body lay. Some careless.
had brought US good luck in hay.
ing the front Of the house left IN.
guarded. These thoughts swept over
me, and left me confident. The time
bad come when l was to serve her, to
prove my own worthiness. | felt ready
and eager for the trial.
l caught a glimpse of jerks face. "a
Bill jerked him forward. The man
was gray with terror, his parchment.
ike skin scanned and contorted. He
was a tall, loose-jointed creature, wear.
ing a long black coat tapping about
his knees. The guard fairly held him
Up In the doorway, and both Fagln and
Jones laughed at the pitiful sight, the
'ormer ending his roar with an out.
burst of profanity.
Go on back ter the front door, Bill"
ordered roughly. This feIlow1l
never run away; his legs wouldn't
him. Now, Mr.. Preacher" glow.
,ring ~savagely at the poor devil across
he bottle-strewn table, do yer know
Who | ann
jerks endeavored to answer, from
he ,%conyulsive movement Of his throat,
tut made no sound. Fagin cursed
gain. {
III 1t wasn't such a waste of good
iquor I'd pour some Of this down your |
he exclaimed, shaking a half.
He'd bottle In his fist. Then maybe
GU could answer when ! spoke to you. =
Tow, e here, you canting old hypo.
rite, I'm Red Fagin, an | guess you
now what that means. I'm pisen, an
don't like your style. Now you're
DIN to do Just what tell you, or the
oys will have a hangin' bee down in I
ravine. Speak up, an tell me what ,
on propose to do" |
jerks wet his dry lips with his /
,ngue, clinging to the sides of the {
DOR with both hands. I
"What--what is 1t you wish OF me % I
% uncertain gaze wandering over the I
Tree faces. but coming back to Fagin. I
You are to marry this officer here a
a young lady"
"What-what young lady?" q
"Mortimeris daughter-Claire is the I
anne, isn't It. Grant? Yes, Claire; /
~ know her, ] reckon" D
] could hear the unfortunate man c
'eathe in the silence, but Fagin's b
res threatened. a
'Is--is she here?" he faitered help
ssly. Does she desire the--the cere~
That DOESN'T happen to be any Of g
Iur business" broke in Fagin biuntly. q
his il my affair. an the fewer ques- 81
ms you ask the better. II we want Ell
me fun, what the hell have you rot d