The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-02

bank. AS they did so the cabin In
the stern gave up a shattered pres
ence in the shape of Tom Ware. Muir.
rell started violently. Il thought you
were hanging out in Memphis, Tom?"
he said, and his brow darkened, as,
sinister and forbidding, he stepped
closer to the planter. Ware did not
answer at once, but looked at Muir
rell out Of heavy bloodshot eyes, his
face pinched and CHASTITY. At last he
said, speaking with visible effort.
II stayed in Memphis until fve
o'clock this morning"
Damn your early hours!" roared
Murrell. What are you doing here7
l suppose you've been showing that
dead face OF yours about the neigh
borhood-why didn't you stay at Belle
Plain, since you couldn't keep away?"
Il haven't been near Belle Plain; l
came here instead. How am going
to meet people and answer Ques.
t1ons?" His teeth were chattering.
us 1t known she's missing7" he
added.
clicks raised the alarm the first
thing this morning, according to the
instructions I'd given him."
"Yes?" gasped Ware. He was drip
ping from every pore and the sickly
color came and went on his unshaven
cheeks. Murrell dropped Q heavy
hand on his shoulder.
you haven't been at Belle Plain,
you say, but has any one seen you on
the road this mornIng?"
mo one, john" cried Ware, pant
ing between each word. There was
moments pause and Ware spoke
again. What are they doing at Belle
Plain?" he demanded In a whisper.
Murrell's lips curled.
Il understand there is talk Of sui
eide" he said.
Good" cried Ware.
They are dragging the bayou down
below the house. It looks az though
you were going to reap the rewards
of the excellent management you
have given her estate. They have
been trying to find you in Memphis,
so the sooner you show yourself the
BETTER" he concluded significantly.
You are sure you have her safe.
John; no chance of discovery? For
Gods sake get her away from here
as soon as you can; it's an awful risk
you rum"
She'll be sent down river tonight"
said Murrell.
Captain" Logan slosson, who up
to this had taken no part in the con-
versation, when are you going to
cross to t'other side Of the bayou"
"soon," replied Murrell. Slosson
laughed. ...
Il didn't know but you'd clean for
got the Clans business. want to
ask another Question-but first l want
to say that no one thinks higher or
more frequent Of the ladies' than just
me; I'm genuinely fond of 'em, and
I've never lifted my hand ag'in 'em
except In kindness" Mr.. Slosson
looked at Ware with an exceedingly
virtuous expression Of countenance.
He continued: "Yo' orders are that
we're to slip out of this little afore
midnight, but suppose there's hitch
heres the lady knowing what she
knows and here's the boy knowing
what he knows"
There can be no hitch" rasped out
Murrell arrogantly.
II never knew q speculation that
couldn't 60 wrong; and by rights We
should have got away last night"
well, whose fault is it you didn't"
demanded Murrell.
In a manner it were mine, but the
ark got on sandbank as we were
fetching it in and it took us the whole
damn night to get clear" |><.,
"Well?" prompted Murrell, with .
sullen frown.
Suppose they get shut OF that no
tiop of theirs that the lady's done
drowned herself; suppose they take to
watching the river? Or suppose the
whole damn bottom drops out Of this
deal? What then? The lady, good
looking as she Is, knows enough to
make west Tennessee mighty on
healthy for some OF us. l say, sup
pose it's Hash in the pan and you
have to crowd the distance in be-
tween you and this part Of the world.
you can't tell me you'll have any use
for her then" Slosson paused i'm
pressively. "And here's Mr.. Ware
feeling bad, feeling like hell" he re-
sumed. Him and me don't want to
be left in no trap with you gone God
only knows where"
TIL send man to take charge Of
the keel boat. l can't risk any more
Of your bungling, joe"
That's al right, but you don't an
swer my question" persisted slosson.
with admirable tenacity OF purpose.
What 10 your question, Joe?"
"A lot can happen between this and
midnight"
IF things 60 wrong with us there'l
be . blaze ct the head Of the bayou;
Does that satisfy your !,