The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-20

self. You may as well turn me loose
you can't arrest me-"
tive done it" answered Hues. i've
been on your track for six months"
How about this fellow?" asked the
man whose pistol still covered Ware.
Hues glanced toward the planter and
shook his head.
Where are you going to take me?"
asked Murrel quickly. Again Hues
laughed.
You'll find that out in plenty OF
time, and then your friends can pass
the word around If they like; now
you'll come 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 clatter OF
hoofs was borne to Wares ears-only
that; the miracle Of courage and dar-
ing he had half expected had not hap
pened. Murrell, for all his wild boast
ing, 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 i'm
portant fact. Hues, II he knew OF
Betty's disappearance, did not con-
meet Murrell with it. Ware sucked in
comfort between his twitching lips
Stealing niggers! No one would be-
neve that he, planter, had a hand in
that, and for brief instant he con-
sidered signaling Bess to return. Slos-
son must be told of MurrelIs arrest;
but he was sick with apprehension,
some trap might have been prepared
for him, he could not know; and the
impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together in a
hopeless, beaten gesture. And Muir
rell had gone weak-with his own
eyes he had seen DECENTRALIZATION
he believed without fear! 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
he paused and scanned its dusty sur
face. Hues and 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
carriage; the marks of the wheels
were as plainly distinguishable 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 hanged!
He was so completely lost in his
bitter reflections that he had been I'M
aware Of a mounted man who was
coming toward him at a swift gallop,
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.
''Ware!" he cried. a
How are you, Carrington?" said
the planter.
You are wanted at Belle Plain" be-
gan Darlington, and seemed to hesi-
tate.
"Yes-yes, am going there at once
how" stammered Ware, and gath
cred up his reins with shaking hand.
You've heard, take it?' said Car
rington slowly.
"Yes," answered Ware, in a hoarse
whisper. MY God, Darlington, I'm
heart sick; she has been like daugh-
ter to mel" ne 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 his
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 AFFECT misery that those who had
/ neither liked nor respected him, were
reused to a sudden generous feeling
where he was concerned; they could
not question but that he was deeply
affected. After all the man might
have a side to his nature with which
they had never come in contact.
When he could he shut himself in
his room. He had experienced a day
Of maddening anxiety; he had not
slept at all the previous night; in
mind and body he was worn out; and
now he was plunged into The thick Of
this sensation He must keep contro
OF himself, for every word he said
would be remembered. In the pres
ent there was sympathy for him, Dui
sooner or later people would return
to their sordid Unconditional 1udg
ments.
He sought to forecast the happen
ings Of the next few hours. MurrelFl
friends would break jail for him. tina
was a foregone conclusion; but the
insurrection he had planned was a
an end. Hues had dealt its dealt
blow. Moreover. though the Law
might be impotent to deal with Mur
rell, he could not hope to escape tn
vengeance Of the powerful class h
had plotted to destroy; he would havl
to quit the country Ware gloated II
this idea Of craven fight. Thanl
God. he had seen the last OF him.
But. as always. his thoughts cam
back to Betty Slosson would wait a
Hicks place for the man Murren ha
promised him, and. falling the mes
senger. for the signal ire. but Their
, would be neither; and Slosson woui
be left to determine his own course Q
action. Ware felt certain that b
would wait through the night, but a