Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-07-04
CITY PRICES

waiting to arrest you-ain't that
plain7" said Hues, with grim smile.
The outlaws hands dropped at his
side, limp and helpless. With some
idea that he might attempt to draw
weapon one of the men took hold
OF him, but Murrell was nerveIess to
his touch; his face had gone q ghast-
ly white and was streal1ed with the
markings Of terror.
well, by thunderi" cried the man
In utter amazement.
Murrell looked into Hues' face.
''You-you--" and the words thick
ened ON his tongue, becoming an tn
articulate murmur.
IT'S all up, john" said Hues.
MOS said Murrell, recovering HIM
self. you may as well turn me loose
You can't arrest met"
i've done II, J" answered Hues. i've
been on your track for six months"
How about this feIlow7" asked the
man whose pistol still covered Ware.
Hues glanced toward the planter and
shook his head.
Where are you going TO take meg-'
asked Murrell quickly. Again Hues
laughed
You'll find that out In plenty OF
time, and then your friends can pass
the word around II they like; now
you'll como with me-"
Ware neither moved nor spoke as
Hues and his prisoner passed back
along the path, Hues with his hand
on MurrelPs shouler, and one of his
companions close at his heels, while
the third man led OF the outlaws
horse.
Presently the distant CHATTER or
hoofs was borne TO Wares ears--onIy
that; the miracle Of courage and dar-
Ing he had half expected had not hap
pened. MurreIl, for all his Wild boast
sing, was like other men. like himself.
His bloodshot eyes slid around In
their sockets. There across the sun
lit stretch OF water was Betty-the
thought OF her brought him to quick
choking terrors. The whole fabric OF
crime by which he had been benefited
IN the past or had expected to profit
In the future seemed topping in upon
him, but his mind clutched one Inn
portant fact. Hues, II he knew OF
Betty's disappearance, ala not con-
meet Murrell with II. Ware sucked in
comfort between his twitching lips.
Stealing niggersl No one would be-
neve that he, planter, had hand in
that, and for q brief Instant he con-
Bidered signaling Bess 10 return. Slos-
son must be told OF Murrell's arrest;
but he was sick with apprehension.
sone trap might have been prepared
for him. he could not know; and the
impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together In
hopeless, beaten eesture. And Muir
rell had gone weak-with his own
eyes he had seen Naturalization
he believed without fearl He felt that
he had been grievously betrayed in
his trust and a hot rage poured
through him. At last he climbed In
to the saddle, and, swaying like
drunken man. galloped on
When he reached the river ROAD
no paused and scanned it's dusty sur
face Huos ard his party had turned
south when they issued from the wood
path. No doubt Murrell was being
taken TO Memphis. Ware laughed
harshly. The outlaw would be free,
before another dawn broke.
He had halted near where Jim had
turned his team the previous night
after Betty and Hannibal had left the
~ ~
were as plainly dist!nguishable as the
more recent trail left by the four men,
and as he grasped the significance OF
that wide half circle his sense Of In
Jury overwhelmed him again. he
hoped to live to see Murrell hangedl
He was so completely lost in his
bitter reflections that he had been I'M
aware OF mounted man who was
coming toward him at a swift galIop.
but now he heard the steady pounding
Of hoofs and, startled by the sound.
looked up. A moment later the horse
man drew rein at his side.
"Warel" he cried.
How are you, Carrington7~ said
the planter.
you are wanted at Belle Plain" be-
gan Darlington. and seemed to hegi-
tate.
"Yes-yes, am going there az once
a-now--" stammered Ware, and gath
cred up his reins with a shaking hand.
You've heard, l take it2- said Car
rington slowly.
"Yes," answered Ware. in a hoarse
whisper MY God, Darlington. I'm
heart sick: abe has been like daugh-
ter to mel" he fell silent, mop
ping his face.
Il think | understand your feeling"
said Darlington. giving him a level
glance.
Then you'll excuse me-" and the
planted clapped spurs to his horse.
Once he looked back over his shout
der; he saw that Darlington had not
moved from the spot where they had
met.
At Belle Plain, Ware found hin
neighbors In possession OF the place.
They greeted him quietly and spoke
in subdued tones of their sympathy.
The planter listened with an air OF
such abject misery that those who had
neither liked nor respected him. were
reused to q sudden generous feeling
where he was concerned; they could