The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-20

The Planters Knees Knocked To
sether.
proved to be from Fentress. Ware
read and tossed It aside.
IF he wants to see me why don't
he come here?" he growled.
Il reckon that old fellow they call
Judge Price has sprung something
sudden on the colonel" said Hicks.
He was out here the first thing this
morning; you'd have thought ne
owned Belle Plain. There was a
couple of strangers with him, and ne
had me in and fired questions at me
for half an hour; then he liked on
up to The Oaks"
"Murrelrs been arrested" said Ware
in a dull level voice. Hicks gave him
a glance Of unmixed establishment.
mol"
Yes, by God!"
Who'd risk it?"
Risk it? Man, he almost tainted
dead away-a damned coward. He'll"
How do you know this?" asked
Hicks. appalled,.
Il was with him when he was TAX
en-it was Hues-the man he trusted
more than any other!" Ware gave
the overseer a CHASTITY grin and was
silent, put in that silence he heard
the drumming of his own heart. he
went on. Il tell you, to save him
self, John Murrell will implicate the
rest of us; we've got to get him free,
and then, by hell-we ought to knock
him in the head; he isn't fit to liVe!"
THE jail amt built that1I hold
himI" muttered Hicks.
"Of course, he can't be held"
agreed Ware. And he'll never be
brought to trial; no lawyer will dare
appear against him, no Jury will dare
to find him guilty; but there's Hues.
what about him." He paused. The
two men looked at each other for a
long moment.
Where did they carry the cap
tain?"
Il don't know"
1T looks like the Clan was in a
hell-fred hole-but shucksl What
will be easier than to nix HUSBAND
while they're fixing folks they'd bet
ter not overlook that old fellow Price.
He's got some notion about Fentress
and the boy" Mr.. Hicks did not con-
slider 1t necessary to explain that he
was himself largely responsible for
this.
How do you know that?" demand
ed Ware.
He as good as said So" Hicks
looked uneasily at the planter. He
knew himself to be compromised. The
stranger named Cavendish had forced
an admission from him that Murrell
would not condone If it came to his
knowledge. He had also acquired a
very proper and wholesome fear OF
Judge Slocum Price. He stepped close
to Wares side. "What'H come Of the
girl, Tom? Can you figure that out?'
ne questioned, sinking his voice al
most to a whisper. But Ware was In
capable of speech, again his terrors
completely overwhelmed him. Il
reckon you'll have to find another
oYerseer. I'm going to strike out for
Texas" said Hicks.
Wares eyes met his for an instant.
He had thought Of fight, too; was
still thinking Of 1t, but greed was as
much a part of his nature as fear;
Belle Plain was a prize not to be light
ly cast aside, and 1t was almost his.
He lurched across the room to the
window. II he were going to act. the
sooner he did so the better, and gain
a respite from his fears. The road
down the coast slid away before his
heavy eyes; he marked each turn,
then a palsy Of fear shook him, his
heart beat against his ribs, and he
stood gnawing his lips while he gazed
up at the sun.
do you get what / say, Tom?
am going to quit these parts" said
Hicks. Ware turned slowly from the
window.
"All right, Hicks. You mean you
want me to settle with you, is that
it?" he asked.
yes, I'm going to leave while
can; maybe l can't later on" said
Hicks stolidly. He added: Il am go
ing to start down the coast as soor
as it turns dark, and before It's day
again I'll have put the good miles be
tween me and these parts"
You're going down the coastT
and Ware was again conscious OF the
quickened beating Of his heart Hicks
nodded. See you don't meet up with
John Murrell," said Ware.
en- take that chance. 1t seems
heap better to me than staying here
Ware looked from the window. The
shadows were frightening across the
lawn.
Better start now. Hicks" he ad
vised.
III wait until it turns dark"
You'll need a horse"
Il was going to help myself to one
/ This amt no time to stand on eere
mony," said Hicks shortly.
"Slosson shouldn't be left In th'
lurch like this-or your brothers
folks"
They'll have to figure it out fol
themselves, same as me-" rejoine'
Hicks.
You can stop there as you go by
mo-" said Hicks. Il never did be
lieve ia this damn foolishness abou
the girl. and I won't go near Georgel
-
Il don't ask you to go there; yo'
can give them the signal from tn
head Of the bayou All want Is 10
you to stop and light a IRE on IN
shore. They'll know what that means
I'll give you a horse and nifty dol
lars for the job"
Hicks eyes sparkled. but he onl'
said:
make it twice that and maybe "
can deal"
Racked and tortured. Ware hes
tated; but the sun was slipping Int
the west; his windows blazed wit
the hot light.
you swear you'll do your partl
| he said thickly. He took his purs
, from his pocket and counted cut IN
amount due Hicks. he named n
total, and paused irresolutely.
Don't you want the ire lighted
asked Hicks. He was familiar VII
, his employers vaclllating moods.
. yes. answered Ware. his In
quivering: and slowly, with shakin
fingers. he added to the Pile Of BIZ