Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-04-10

proclaimed the witchsry Of ne night
with . scarcely perceptibis tilt,
the boat grounded ON the shelving
sandy shore. Bedight sprang out
and pulled the craft further upon its
cushioned anchorage. Tho gtrl sat
in the boat. intently watching the
mayor. That gentleman took nom
the locker a basket well laden. Quick.
~ gathering some dry wood. he
stacked Il over q bunch OF finder
like weeds, touched . match to the
pile. set the basket at q safe distance
and pulling q revolver nom his pocket.
fired In the general direction Of the
moon.
Having Unanswered thus peculiarly.
he FASTENED back to the boat, showed
or and rowed from the shore y hun.
dred yards. Resting IN his oars. be let
the boat toss idly upon the lake. Five,
ten minutes passed. The dry wood
burned brightly, making a beacon OF
light. into the circle Of which there
came. at last. three shadows, followed
by unintelligible conversation.
They've found It." salt the mayor,
picking up his oars and turning the
boat toward the hotel.
II was midnight when the sides Of
the craft rubbed its sister boats at
Mine Hosts dock. The mayor and
the girl crept softly up the winding
pathway toward the hotel. Suddenly,
in the moonlight ahead. the form OF
a woman appeared advancing to meet
them. The mayor and the girl saw
her simultaneously. He stopped In
stantly with a restraining hand upon
the girls arm.
"Quick!" he commanded. springing
in front Of his companion and turning
her about face. Walk rapidly down
the path to the boathouse."
She complied instantly.
Over his shoulder the mayor saw
the woman hesitate. then follow de
terminedly through the shimmerins
moonlight.
rGo into the boathouse." directed
Bedight hurriedly. wait until l en-.
gage her In conversation. Then open
the rear door and run for the hotel
And be Quiet!",
Il understand" whispered the girl
excitedly.
Slipping through the door. she
closed It softly. Pulling a cigar from
his pocket, the mayor scratched
match on the sole of his shoe AND
blew a pun of smoke at the same tar
get which earlier in the evening hi
had failed to hit with his leaden mis-
sile.
The woman rounded the corner ant
came directly toward him.
Il beg your pardon. Mr.. Bedight,'
said Judge vining in a cold. forma
voice, "for following you. but as chap
erone Of the young ladies' at the hote
feel that 1t was my duty to do so
l."
The mayor bowed.
DUTY to the one performing It." h
interrupted calamity, SIS oftentime'
irksome. but begrudgingly done FIRE
quently conveys pleasure to another
do not desire to appear selfish II
your eyes, but l find your duty pleasei
ne greatly" bowling again. Now. tn
moonlight"
The Judge" made a deprecatint
gesture.
DO not attempt to eyade." sht
warned. II am deeply in earnest
Where is the-the-" She seemed q
a loss to proceed Finally she threw
diplomacy to the winds. Who wa
the girl with you-alone-at this houl
of the night? ! have a right to know
and had thought you a gentleman
though / should have known that n,
gentleman would haye-haye- sh'
finished lamely.
kissed your" questioned the may
or, the frivolity scarcely gone from
his voice.
Certainly" che flashed.
Bedight pulled thoughtfully at hi
cigar. the fragrant pungency of tn