Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-29

The Planters Knees Knocked To
silent, but 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 that'll hold
him!" 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 q
long moment.
"Where did they carry the cap
tain?"
II don't know"
1T looks like the Clan was in a
hell-fred ho!e-but shucks! What
will be easier than to fix Hues?-and
while they're fixing folks they'd bet
ter not overlook that old fellow Price
He's got some notion about Fentress
and tho boy" Mr.. Hicks did not con-
slider it 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
% nj Aa
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
very proper and wholesome fear OF
Judge Slocum Price. He stepped close
to Wares side. "What'u 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 flight, too; was
still thinking of 1t, hut greed was %
much part Of his nature as fear;
Belle Plain was prize MOTTO 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
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 ne
stood gnawing his lips while he gazed
up at the sun.
"Do you get what say. Tom? l
am going to quit these parts" said
Hicks. Ware turned slowly from tho
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 I
can; maybe l can't later on said
Hicks stolidly. He added: Il am go
ing to start down the coast as soon
as it turns dark, and before it's day
again III have put the good miles be-
tween me- and these parts"
You're going down the coast!"
and Ware was again conscious OF the
qu!ckened beating Of his heart. Hicks
nodded. "see you don't meet up with
John Murrcll," said Ware.
I'll take that chance. It 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 1t turns dark"
You'll need q horse"
II was going to help myself to one.
This amt no time to stand on cere-.
mony," said Hicks shortly.
"Slosson shouldn't be left In the.
lurch like this-or your brothers
folks"
They'll have to figure it out for
themselves, same as me-" rejoined
Hicks.
You can stop there as you go by. ;"
mo-" said Hicks. II never did be-.
lieve in this damn foolishness about.
the girl. and won't go near Georges
-" :.
Il don't ask you to so there: you.
can give them the signal from the.
head Of the bayou. All want is for.
you to stop and light . ire on the
shore. They'll know what that means.
I'll give you q horse and nifty dol
lars for the job"
Hicks eyes sparkled. but he only
said:
Make it twice that and maybe we
can deal"
Racked and tortured. Ware hesi-
tated; but the sun was slipping into
the west; his windows blazed with
the hot light.
"You swear you'll do your partI"
he said thickiy. He took his purse
from his pocket and counted out the
amount due Hicks. He named the
total, and paused ifresolutely.
Don't you want the rre lightsdr's
asked Hicks. He was familiar With
his employers vaci'iating moods.
eyes," answered Ware. his lips
auivering: and slowly. with shakiag
fingers. hs addsd to the pile Of bils
In Hicks hand.