Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-08-07
~ XAUCHAN KESTER
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thought OF her brought him TO quick
choking terrors. The whole fabric OF
crime by which he had been benefited
| In the past or had expected to profit
in the future seemed topping in upon
him, but his mind clutched one i'm
portaDt fact. Hues, If he knew OF
, Betty's disappearance. did not con
meet MurrelI with IL. Ware sucked in
comfort between his twitching lips.
Stealing niggers, No one would be-
lieve that he. planter, had a hand IN
that. and for a brief instant he CON
sidered signaling Bess to return. Slos-
son must be told of Murreli's arrest;
but he was sick with apprehension,
some trap might have been prepared
for Gin, he could not know; and the
Impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together in a
hopeless. beaten gesture. And Muir
reil had gone weak--with his own
eyes he had seen -Murrell--whom
he believed without feafi lie felt that
he had been grievously betrayed In
his trust and hot rage poured
through him. At last be climbed in
to the saddle, and. swaying like a
drunken man. galloped on
When he reached the river road
he paused and scanned its dusty sur
face. Hues and his party had turned
south when they issued from the wood
path. No doubt Murrell was being
taken to Memphis Ware laughed
harshly. The outlaw would be free
before another dawn broke.
He had halted near where Jim had
turned his team the previous night
after Betty and Hannibal had left the
carriage: the marks of the wheels
were as plainly distinguishable as the
more recent trail left by the four men.
and as he grasped the significance OF
that Wide half circle his sense OF In.
jury overwhelmed him again lie
hoped to live TO see Murrell hanged
He was 80 completely lost in his
bitter reflections that be had been un.
aware or a mounted man who was
coming toward him at a swift gallop,
but now he heard the steady pounding
of hoofs and. startled by the sound.
looked up. A moment later the horse
man drew rein at his side.
"Ware!" he cried.
How are you. Darlington" said
the planter.
You are wanted at Belle Plain" be.
gan Darlington. and seemed to hest
tate.
"Yes-yes. ! am going there at once
how" stammered Ware, and gath
cred up his relns with a shaking hand.
You've heard. take it?" said Car
rington slowly.
Yes" answered Ware, 10 hoarse
whisper, My God. Carrinston. I'm
heart sick; she has been like daugh-
ter TO mel" he fell silent, mop.
ping his face
Il think | understand your feeling.
said Darlington. giving him level
glance
Then you'll excuse me-" and the
planted clapped spurs 20 his horse.
Once he looked back over his shout
der; he saw that Darlington mad not
moved from the spot where they mad
met.
At Belle Plain. Ware found his
neiEhbors in possession OF the place.
They greeted him quietly and spoke
IN subdued tones OF their sympathy.
When he could he shut himself In
his room. He had experienced day
of maddening anxiety; he had not
slept at all the previous night: in
mind and body he was worn out. and
now he was plunged into the thick OF
this sensation. He must keep coutrol
OF himself.
He sought 10 forecast the happen.
ings OF the next few hours. MurreIls
friends would break jail for him. that
was Ioregone conclusion; but the
insurrectiou he had planned was at
an end. Hues had dealt its death
blow. Moreover. though the law
might be impotent TO deal with Muir.
rell he could not hope TO escape the
vengeance OF the powerful class he
had plotted to destroy; he would have
to quit the country. Ware gloated In
this idea OF craven flight. Thank
God he had seen the last OF him.
But. as always. his thoughts came
back TO Betty. Slosson would wait at
Hicks place for the man Murrell had
promised him, and. failing the mes.
senser. for the signal fire. but there
would be neither; and Slosson would
be left to determine his own course ct
action. Ware felt certain that he
would wait through the night. but as
sure as the morning broke. II no word
had reached him, he would send one