Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-04-25

to stand.
Yes, said Betty briefly.
IF can be Of any service TO you
he began. with Just q toufh Of awk-
Wardness In his manner.
mo. thank you. Mr.. Darlington
said Betty quickly.
Good night good-by. He
turned away. and Betty saw his tall
form disappear In the twilight
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just two
days later man and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. Murrefl was soon
on their trail and pressing forward
in hot pursuit. Reaching the noun
tains, he heard OF them first as ten
days ahead Of him and bound for
west Tennessee; the ten days dwtn-
died to week, the week became five
days, the five days three; and now
as he emerged from the last range OF
hills ne caught sight Of them.
Yancy glanced back at the blue wall
OF the mountains where 1t lay along
the horizon.
We'll, Nevvy," he said, we've put
a heap Of distance between US and
old Scratch HILL"
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted In a leisureiy
fashion. AS YAncy said, they were
seeing the world. and It was well to
take good lock at it while they had
chance.
Suddenly out Of the silence caHe
the regular beat of hoofs. These
grew nearer and nearer, and at last
when they were quite close, Yancy
faced about. Smilingly Murrel refined
in his horse.
''Why-Bob Yancy% he cried in
apparent establishment,
YES, sir-Bob Yancy. Does it hap
pen you are looking TO- him. Cap
tain?" inquired Yancy.
Mono, Bob. I'm on my way
west"
Murrell slipped from his saddle and
fell into step at Yancy's side as they
moved forward.
They were nightly stirred up at
the Cross Roads when / left, wonder.
ing what had come Of you" he OBJ
served.
That's kind of them.' responded
Yancy. a little dryly. There was nc
reason for it, but he was becoming
distrustful of Murrell, and uneasy.
They went forward In silence. A
fyS
to the edge of an extensive clearing
Close to the road there were several
buildings, but not tree had been
spared to shelter them and they stood
forth starlxly, the completing touch to
a civilization that was still in Its
youth, unkempt, rather savage. and
ruthlessly, unitarian. A sign an
nounced the dingy structure Of logs
nearest the. roadAxae a tavern.
From the door of tho tavern the
figure of a man emerged. He was
black-haired and bull-necked, and
there was. about him a certain shag
giness which recent toilet performed
at the horse trough had, not served, te
mitigate.
"Howdy?" he drawled.
.Howdy?" responded Mr.. Yancy.
shall you stop here?" asked Muir
rell, sinking his voice. Yancy nodded
Can you put us up?' inquired Muir
rell, turning to the tavern-keeper.
II reckon that's what I'm here for.
said Slosson Murrell glanced about
the empty yard Slack, observed
Slosson languidly. Yes, sir. Stacks
the only name for It. 1t was under
stood he referred to the state Of trade
He looked from one to the other o.
the two men. AS his eyes rested or
Murreii, that gentleman raised ths
first three fingers of his right hand
The gesture was ever so little, yet Il
seemed to have a tonic effect on MIR
Slosson. What might have developed
into smile had he not immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded
lips as he made an answering move
ment. ..Eph, come here, you'll" Slos
son raised his voice. This cal
brought a half-grown black boy from
about corner of the tavern, to whom
| MurreIl relinquished his horse.
Lets liquor" said the captain ovel
his shoulder, moving on In the direc
ton of the bar.
Come on, Neyvy!" said Yancy FOL
lowing. and they all entered the tav
ern.
We'll, here's to the best OF goot
| luck!" said Murrell. as he raised hi
glass to his lips.
Same here, responded Yancy
Murrell pulled out roll Of bills. on'
Of which he tossed on the bar. Ther
after moments hesitation he de
tached second bill from the roll ant
turned to Hannibal.
Here, youngster-a present fol
you," he said good-naturedly. Hann1
| bal, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side. :
Thank you. sir" said the boy
Lets have another drink. sug
gested Murrell.
| Presently Hannibal stole out init
the yard. He still held the bill in hii
| hand, for he did not quite know how
| to dispose OF his great wealth. Aftel
| debating this matter for moment h,
knotted it carefully in one corner q
| his handkerchief.
| .n,,< sr,ra r,oNru-rAyrYrYo $3.50