The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-08-22


- o,rl believe he's deserted, and that
YER IN a position ter help him. ln Ie
win serve yer purpose better tnan sno
other scheme. 1t may awaken nel
gratitude. her sweet love!
Damn her Lowell"
$50 it isn't love, 'eh, that makes yer
an anxious. | thought as much What
is it. then-revenge"
Grant held his breath moment MS
dull owes on the faces Of the two men,
"Well / might as well tell you," ne
srarled at last. 81 loved her once,
Guess: anyhow l wanted her badiy
enough. | want her now, but moi IN
inst the same way. j want to sho"
her I'm the master ! want 10 give
her a lesson, and that cub brother OF
hers. I'd have got them all, the COL
onel with them, if that damned COZ
onial spy hadn't stolen my coat. nau
them. dead to rights, Fagin, ana the
papers to prove it. Now don't care
how it's done, SO ] get her. thought
she'd marry me to save the boy put
II she won't, why then, you carry Out
your plan-what is itY
Fagin laughed, again emptying MS
glass.
EASY enough. She's alone, except
fer her father, and he can't get out OF
bed. We've got jerks here, an the
damned old coward will do whatever
l tell him"
"But she despises me-
"Oh. no! Well make you victim.
That will leave things in proper shape
between yer two. Well play 1t on as
a drunken lark-eh, Jones? My God!
II won't be the first time we've done
the trick either. Do you remember
that love-sick couple over at Toms
River, Ned? Never laughed so much
in my life. This is better one. Lord!
but won't old Mortimer rave, an
mighty little good it will do him.
Come, what do yer say, Grant? Are
yer gamer
"Helrs fre-yes." He got to his
feet, gripping the back Of his chair.
"Bring-bring 'em in: this is good
place"
Fagin struck the table with his fist
"Of course 1t Is, drink ter the bride
after the ceremony. Bill. bring in the
preacher"
ut was growing daylight ] could
perceive the glow OF the sky out
through the window, but the candles
still sputtered on the table, casting
grim lights and shadows on the faces
Of the three men. AS Bill disappeared
into the parlor, / stole silently back
to the library door.
"Tom," whispered briefly, find the
boys, and bring them in here, through
that broken window. They are in the
orchard to the right, and there are nc
guards in front. Move lively, but be
quiet"
what Is it, Maori" asked young
Mortimer, eagerly.
II can't explain now I must gel
back where can see and hear. But
there is going to be a fight. Hold the
men ready here until call See that
their weapons are In good order"
caught the CLINT Of his eye, but
could wait no longer. Indeed I was
scarcely, back, snuggled under the
stairs, when Bill came forth, gripping
the collar of his prisoners coat. and
urging him down the hall. crouthed
lower, the morning light threatening
to reveal my hiding place, yet with
mind more at ease, now / knew the
men were close at hand Within five
minutes the entire squad would be
crowded into that room, eager fol
trouble TO begin. Probably Fagin did
not have a half-dozen fellows in the
house. II we could strike swiftly
enough we might oyerpower them all
without creating alarm outside, where
the main body lay. Some careless
ness had brought us good luck in hav
ing the front Of the house left un
guarded. These thoughts swept ovel
me, and left me confident. The time
had come when was to serve her, tc
prove my own worthiness. I felt ready
and eager for the trial.
l caught a glimpse OF jerks face, as
Bill jerked him forward. The mar
was gray with terror, his parchment
Ike skin scanned and contorted. He