Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-05
r. It known she's missing"

"Is It known snes missing! Ne
added.
clicks raised the alarm the first
thing this morning, according to the
instructions I'd given him."
.Yes?" gasped Ware. He was drip
uing from every pore and the sickly
color came and went on his unshaven
cheeks. Murrell dropped g heavy
hand Oh his shoulder.
eYou haven't been at Belle Plain,
you Say, but has any one seen you on
the road this morning."
NO one, john" cried Ware, pant
ing between each word. There was a
moments pause and Ware spoke
again. What are they doing at Belle
Plain?" he demanded in whisper.
Murrells lips curled.
Il understand there Is talk OF sui.
eide" he said.
Good" cried Ware.
"They are dragging the bayou down
below the house. 1t looks as 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,
30 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 runi"
She'll be sent down river tonight"
said Murrell.
Captain" logan Slosson, who up
TO this had taken no part in the con-
Yersation, when are you going TO
cross to tother 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 / want
to say that no one thinks higher or
more frequent of the ladies than just
me; I'm genuinely fond Of EN-, and
I've never lifted my hand agin 'em
except In kindness" Mr.. SlosSon
looked at Ware with an exceedingly
yirtuous expression or countenance.
he continued: "Yo' orders are that
we're to slip out OF this q little afore
midnight, but suppose there's a hitch
here's the lady knowing what She
knows and here's the boy knowing
what he knows
There can be no hitch rasped out
Murrell arrogantly.
Il never knew a speculation that
couldn't go wrong; and by rights we
should have got away last night"
We'll, whose fault is it you didn't
demanded Murrell.
In a manner it were mine, but the
ark got on q saudbank as we were
fetching 1t in and 1t took US the whole
damn night to get clear
"Well?" prompted AIurrell. with a
eullen rrown.
Suppose they get shut OF that no
ton 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
Quake west Tennessee mighty on.
healthy for some OF us. | say, sup.
pose it's flash In the pan and you
20
tween you and this part OF the world,
sou cant 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" be re-.
sumed. Him and me don't want to
be left in no trap with you gone God
only knows where"
"I'll send a man to take charge OF
the keel boat. l cant risk any more
ii your bungling. joe"
That's all right, but you don't an
swer my question" persisted Slosson,
with admirable tenacity OF purpose.
What Is your question, Joe?".
a lot can happen between this and
midnight"
IF things go wrong with US there'll
be a blaze at the head OF the bayou;
Does that satisfy you?"
And what then?'
Murrell hesitated.
What about the girl" insisted
Slosson, dragging him back TO the
point at issue between them. AS a
man wouldn't lift my hand agtn no
good looking woman except. like /
said, in Kindness; but she can't be
turned loose; she knows too much.
What's the word, Captain-you say
it," he urged. He made gesture OF
appeal to Ware.
Look for the light; better still,
look for the man I'll send" And with
this Murrell would have turned away,
but Slosson detained him.
Who'll he be?'
Some fellow who knows the river. -
And II it's the light" asked the
tavern.keeper in a hoarse undertone.