Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-07-18
CITY PRIcEs

the bayou to the cabin, and hAe-an
back up the path the distance Of Al
mile and plunged into the woods On
his right, his purpose being to pass
around the head OF the expanae oE
sluggish water to a. point from whIch
he could later approach the cabin.
But the cabin proved to be better
defended than he had foreseen: and
40 he advanced, the. difficulties OF tkd
task he had set himself became all
most insur1nountable; get sustaAnvh
as he was by his.dmperative need. he
tore HIS way through the labyrinth Sor
trailing vineA or 1oundered across
acresWide patches OF green slima and
black mud. which at each step threat
ened to eangnlf him In their treacher.
GUS depths, untfl - the end OF AM
hour he gHined the southern side OF
the c1earang and firmer footing
within the Bhgfter OF the woods.
Here he paused and took stock OF
his surroundings. The two or three
buildings Mr.. Hicks had erected stood
midway Of the clearing and were very
modest improvements adapted to their,
owners somewhat fiippant pursuit OF
agriculture. While Darlington was
stu staring about him, the cabin door
swung oDsn and woman stepped
forth. 1t was the girl Hess. She went
TO q corner OF the building and called
loudly: ao Es
Joel Oh, Joel" q n 5eps a
Darlington glanced in the direction
OF the keel boat and an instant later
saw Slosson Chamber over its sides
The tavern-keeper crossed to the cab
In, where he was met by Bess, Who
placed In hie hkhds what seemed %
DO q wooden bowl. With this he
slouched of to one of the outbuild-
ings. which ne entered. Ten or fir.
Teen minutes slipped by. then he came
from tho shed and after securing the
door, returned To the cabin. He waa
again met by Ross. vito relieved him
Of the bowl; they exchanged a few
words and Slosson walked away and
afterwarst Disappeared over the side
OF the keel boat. q
5 This much was clear to the Ken.
tuGlkian! food had been taken to soue
one In the EhedATto Betty and tRa
.boyt--more likely to George
He waited now for the night 10
come. and 10 him the. su9 seSmed
fixed In the heavens. At Belle Pl1in
Tom Ware was watching It with
shuddsring sense Of tho swiftness Of
its flight. But at last tho Ups OF ths
tals trees obscured #; II sank quickly
then and bIAzed a ban Of IRE beyond
tho Arkansas coast, while its dying
glory spread aslant tho heavens, turn
ing the tanks OF the gray clouds to
violet and purple and gold
With the first approach OF sarkness
Darlington made his way to the shed.
Hidden IN the shadow no paused 10
listen. and faneied he heard diiiieuig
breathing Trem Withlns The de-.
ereaked hldbausay ON its wood
hinges when no pushed IL open, but az
1t SWING back the last remnant or
the days fight showed him some dark
object lying prose on tho dirt noor,
He reached down and HIS hand rested
on man'a booted foot.
George" Darlington spoke softly,
but the man on the door gave no sign
that he heard, and Carrington's Quaa-
tioning touch stealing higher be found
that George---if 1t we're George--was
lying on his side with hts arms and
legs securely bound. Thinking be
slept. the Kentuckian shook him galE
ly to arouse him.
''Gecrge7' he repeated, stu bend
ing above him. This time an inartio-
plate mmcmur answered him. at the
Bame instant the woolly head or the
negro came under his fingers and .he
discovered the reason OF his silence.
Eie was aa securely gagged as he waa
bound @4
'Listen. George--it'a CarringtoR-i
am going TO take or this gas, bR
don't speak above . whisper-they
may hear usl" And he cut the cords
that held the gagIn place,
How 20 get here, Mas'r Gazing,