Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-09

window.
"All right, Hicks. You mean you
want me to settle with you, IS tnae
it," he asked.
Yves I'm going TO leave while
can: maybe l can't later on sa'o
Hicks stolidly. Hs added: 1 am go
ing to start down the coast as soon
as It turns dark, and before It's Gay
again III have put the good miles De-
tween me and these parts.
You're going down the coast!
and Ware was again conscious OF the
ouickeued beating Of his heart. HICKS
nodded. See you don't meet up with
John Murrell." said Ware.
IN take that chance. 1t seems
heap better to me than staying here.
Ware looked from the window. The
shadows were lengthening across the
lawn.
Better start now, Hicks" he ad-
y1sed.
III wait until it turns. darK.
You'll need horse
CT 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-" re]oined
Hicks.
You can stop there as you go by
no" said Hicks. Il never did be-
lieve in this damn foolishness about
the girl, and 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 FIRE on the
shore. They'll know what that means.
m giya YOU a horse and fifty dol
lars for the job
Hicks eyes sparkled, but ne only
said:
make 1t 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 part:
he said thickly. lie took his purse
from his pocket and counted out tbe
amount due Hicks. He named the
total, and paused irresolutely.
Don't you want the fire lighted"
asked Hicks. He was familiar with
his employers vaclIlating moods.
YES" answered Ware, his lips
quiyering; and slowly, with shaking
fingers, he added to the pile Of pills
in Hicks hand. ,,sr!.sa~':': S;s -,:fs
well, take care OF yourself" sasa
Hicks, when the~count was completg
He thrust, the roll OF bills into Ais
pocEet and moved to the door.
Alone again, the planter collapsed.
into his chair, breathing heavily, but
his terrors swept over him and lett
him with a savage sense OF triumph.
This passed: he sprang up. intending
TO recall Hicks and unmake bis bar
gain. What had he been thinking OF
safety lay only IN flight! Before he
reached the door his greed was in: the
ascendant. He dropped down ON the
edge OF his bed, his eyes fixed on the
window. The sun sank lower. From
where be sat he saw it through the
upper half OF the sash. blood-red and
Ityid in a mist Of tieecy clouds.
T. was in the tops OF The old oaks
now, which sent their shadows into
his room. Again maddened by his
terrors, he started and backed toward
the door; but again his greed, the
one dominating influence OF hrs hte'
yanquished him.
He watched the sun Sink. lie
watched the red splendor fade over
the river; he saw the first stars APP
pear. He told himself that hicks
would soon be gone-if the fire was
not to be lighted he must act at
once. He stole to the widow. IL
was dusk now. yet he could distln'
guish the distant wooded boundaries
of the great fields framed by the dark
ening sky. Then in the silence ne
heard the thud OF hoofs.