The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13

$50 ana Aoroiooing. be stepped
closer to the planter. Ware did nj,
answer at once. but looked AT Mn.
reh out OF heavy bloodshot ewes h,s
iace pinched and CHASTITY. At last he
saia' speaking with visible effort.
I ssayed in Memphis until nve
O'Clock this morning"
Damn your early hours!" roared
Murrel- What are you doing hereY
1 suppose you've been showing that
dead face OF yours about the neigh.
borhood-why didn't you stay at Belle
Pialn. since you couldn't keep awayy..
haven't been near Belle Plain: I
came here instead. How am | going
TO meet people and answer cues
uons?" His teeth were chattering.
Is 1t known she's missing?" he
added.
Hicks raised the alarm the first
thing this morning, according to the
instructions I'd given him"
~Ies?" gasped Ware. He was drip
ping from every pore and the sickly
color came and went on his unshaven
cheeks. Murrell dropped a heavy
hand on his shoulder.
You haven't been at Belle Plain.
You say, but has any one seen you on
the road this morning?"
No one. John" cried Ware, pant
ing between each word. There was a
moments pause and Ware spoke
again. What are they doing at Belle
Plain?" he demanded in a whisper.
Murrell's lips curled.
1 understand there is talk OF sui.
eide" he said.
Good" cried Ware.
They are dragging the bayou down
below the house. II looks as though
you were going to reap the rewards
OF the excellent management you
nave given her estate. They have
been trying to find you in Memphis
so the sooner you show yourself the
better" he concluded significantly
You are sure you have her safe
John; no chance of discovery? Fol
Gods sake get her away from here
as soon as you can; it's an awful rish
you rum"
Shell be sent down river tonight.
said MurreIl. "
Captain" logan Slosson, who Ut
to this had taken no part in the con
versation, when are you going tc
cross to t'other side Of the bayou?"
Soon" replied Murren. Slosso1
laughed.
i didn't know but you'd clean for
got the Clans business. / want tC
ask another quesron-but first l wan
to say that no one thinks higher OF
more frequent of the ladies than JUS
me; I'm genuinely fond of 'em, and
I've never lifted my hand ag'in 'en
! except in kindness" Mr.. SlossoI
looked at Ware with an exceedingly
virtuous expression of countenance
He continued: "Yo' orders are tina
we're to slip out of this a little afor,
midnight, but suppose there's a hitcl
here's the lady knowing what sh'
knows and here's the boy knowing
what he knows"
There can be no hitch" rasped on
Murren arrogantly.
Il never knew a speculation tina
couldn't go wrong; and by rights w
should have got away last night"
We'll, whose fault is it you didn't?
demanded Murrell.
In a manner it were mine, but tn
ark got on a sandbank as we wer
fetching it in and it took us the Who'll
damn night to get clear"
"Well?" prompted Murrell, with
sullen frown.
Suppose they get shut of that nc
ton of theirs that the lady's don
drowned herself; suppose they take
watching the river? Or suppose tn
whole damn bottom drops out OF thi
deal? What then? The lady, goo
looking as she is, knows enough
make west Tennessee mighty OF
healthy for some OF US. / say, SUI
pose it's a fash in the pan and 20
have to crowd the distance in b.
tween you and this part of the worlC
you can't tell me you'll have any us
for her then" Slosson paused in
pressively. And here's Mr.. War
feeling bad, feeling like hell" he r
sumed. Him and me don't want
be left in no trap with you gone Go
only knows where"
I'll send a man to take charge
the keel boat. l can't risk any mol
of your bungling. joe"
That's all right, but you don't a
swer my question" persisted Slosso
with admirable tenacity Of purpose.
What is your question, Joe?"
"A lot can happen between this ar
midnight"
IF things go wrong with us there
be a blaze at the head Of the bayou
Does that satisfy your"
And what them"
Murrel hesitated.
. What about the girl?" insist'
Slosson, dragging him back to Il
point at issue between them. "As
man l wouldn't lift my hand ag'in ]
good looking woman except, like
said. in kindness; but she can't
turned loose; she knows too muc
3 What's the word, Captain-you 81
e it," he urged. He made a gesture
: appeal to Ware.
Look for the light; better ST
: look for the man I'll send" And wi
this Murrell would have turned ava
but Slosson detained him.
= Who'll he be?"
Some fellow who knows the rive
:. And if it's the nght?" asked t
: tavern-keeper in a hoarse undertoE
Again he looked toward Ware, WI
dry-Iipped and ashen, was regard
him steadfastly. Glance met CLAN
:, for a brief instant they looked in
each others eyes and then the ha
Slosson had rested on Murrel
shoulder dropped at his side.
NHAnTER VVf