The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-01-30

10 II IMAM the way he had done II.
suppose the head had been held down
under water for a while. Suppos. ina
nrst blow had been truer. the weanon
heavier! Why had ne not Killed HIM
instantly? Why had he struck SO
oluHueTingiy that the man could
turn? Why had he left hun 10 drift
away? And why. why-and Brad
ley lieadstone felt himself burning up
"nen he came to that thought to
"hacn ne always returned-had IL so
turned out that she. she OF all reo-
pie IN the living world, should Avo
him: 80
Presently school opened; and the
standing at the black
ooaTd. dld the deed always. and al
ways ana II better. He had half a
mind to draw q map OF tn. river on
the board.
As the days went by, he noted tina,
II tneIe ever had been suspicion OF
himself. 1t had vanished. He watched
tne papers and saw from Mortimer
L1ent" published statements tina.
.1'at sehtiemdn was straying farther
and father from the truth. And
tnen, n terrible DAY, it flashed on
MN Why this was SO. There camo
the news h a Eugene Wrayburn had
married Lizzie Hexam, and that he
would live.
Then he saw that he had dipned
his hands in blood. only to unite them
Inen ne saw that Eugene Wrayburn.
tof MS "lfeS sake, was leaving him
70 crawl along his blasted course. He
DIX at his fingers in his rage. Sudden
~ ne knew in tbs c~ountenance Of his
pupils, that he must have frightened
them.
AS he turned again to the black
board. ne saw q slouching man with q
bundle under his arm, IN the door OF
.ie classroom. 1t was Rogue Rider
hood,
He saluted humbly, with q chucklo
and a leer. Still more humbly. ana
showing not q sign that he ever had
seen the schoOlrnaster in another
curse, he asked such questions AS an
ignorant man might TX about school,
and presently begged permission to
ask the boys sonc questions about
geography. Iteadstone dared not re-
fuse.
"Wot sort OF waters is there on
earth?' asked Riderhood; and when
the class replied Seas, rivers, lakes
ana ponds he asked them what men
caught in rivers.
Aye. my lambs, aye" he responded
to their reply of fish Good: But
do you know wct else they ketches
in rivers? III tell You. Suits Of
clothes:"
| Bradley's face changed.
t4eastWise,' continued Riderhood,
that's wot ] ketches sometimes.
Strike me. lambs, if l didn't ketch
this very bundle under my arms: It's
a bargcman's suit @ lOthcs. 1t had
been SUM there by the man as wore
it."
wishing to see you at my loci next
Saturday." whispered Eiderhood as ha
slouchcd out.
Saturday arrived and Bradley
Headstone arrived at the lock. Mr..
Isiderhood wasted no time, but in
formed MFR. Headstone that he intend
ed to be paid. "And I didn't care a
curse for h man wot you tried TO
KILL said he. But you laid your
plots asin mo. Wot. You thinks as
they'll spot ne as wearin' the clothes
as was wore by him wot did it? You
thinks as how they'll find blood on
me. You takes care as hey shonld
n BLOOD on me! Oh, you sly devil.
I'll be paid for it'll be paid for it
I'll be paid for it'll I've drained
you dry"
They were standing close to the
lock. Let GO screamed Riderhood.
Bradley Headstpne had caught him
~ NAAt 49, 49, ~ NJ IL
use my knife and slash you! Let
so"
Bradley was drawing to the lock-
edge. Ridcrhood was drawing away
from it. 1t was a fierce grapple, arm
and leg.
Let sn'' gasped Riderhood, trying
to get his knife. Il comc through
drownin' once, and 9 ma as does
that cant be drowned
81 - hoV,' cporlol Do, .J)o,, ,o.
clenched teeth. I'm going 70 DC.
I'll hold O living, inc I'll hold you
dead. Come DOWN."
H:dcrhood went over into the
smooth pit backward and Bradley
Headstone on top Of him. When they
found them adrift in the: ooze and
scum, 1~tiderhood's arms had reiaxed
| and his eyes were staring upward.
But he was gird!ed still with Bradtey's
iron ring, and the rivets OF the iron
| ring held tight.
; fCoDyrighf 1912 nv T w Muller,