The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-10-25

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
long moment.
Where did they carry the cap
tain?"
Il don't know
1T looks like the Clan was 10
hell-fred hole-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 the 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
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 1t came to his
knowledge. He had also acquired
very proper and wholesome fear OF
Judge Slocum Price He stepped close
to Wares side. "Whatll come of the
girl, Tom? Can you figure that out?'
he 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
overseer 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 it, but greed was as
much a part of his nature as fear;
Belle Plain was prize not to be light
" cast aside, and it was almost his.
He lurched across the room to the
window. If 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 he
stood gnawing his lips while he gazed
up at the sun.
do you get what l say, Tom? l
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 | can't later on" said
Hicks stolidly. He added: 81 am 60
ing to start down the coast as soon
as 1t 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 coast?"
and Ware was again conscious of the
uuickened beating of his heart. Hicks
nodded. See you don't meet up with
John Murrell," said Ware.
"Tll 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
"Ill wait until 1t turns dark"
You'll need horse"
81 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 1t out for
themselves, same as me-" rejoined
Hicks.
you can stop there as you go by"
NO" said Hicks. 81 never did be-
lieve in this damn foolishness about
the girl and l won't go near Georges
-"
81 don't ask you to go there; you
can give them the signal from the
head of the bayou. All | want Is for
YOU to stop and light a fire on the
shore. They'll know what that means.
I'll give you a horse and fifty dol
lars for the job"
Hicks eyes sparkled, but he only
said:
Make 1t twice that and maybe we
can deal"
Racked and tortured, Ware hest
tated: but the sun was slipping into
the west; his windows blazed with
the hot light.
CTO BE CONTINUEDJ
Their Romance.
He loves me, he loves me not"