Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-06-26

oNiOhc vi INC Ooi o.
Hello" he called
There was no immediate answer to |
his hail, and he called again as he
sent the skiff forward.
What do you want?" asked a surly |
voice.
You want Slosson!" quickly
prompted the girl in a whisper.
Il want to see Slosson," said Car
rington glibly and with confidence.
Who be you?"
"Murrell sent you" prompted the
girl again, in a hurried whisper
"Murrell-" And in his astonish-
ment Darlington spoke aloud.
"Murrell?" cried the voice sharply.
sent me-" said Darlington quick
ly, as though completing an unfin-
ished sentence. The girl laughed nerv-
ously under her breath.
Row closter," came the sullen
command, and the Kentuckian did as
he was hidden. Four men stood in
the bow of the keel boat, lantern
was raised aloft and by its light they
looked him over. There was mo-
ments silence broken by Darlington,
who asked.
Which one OF you is Slosson?"
I'm Slosson," answered the man
with the lantern. The previous night
! Mr.. Slosson had been somewhat I'M
der the enlivening and elevating in
| iiuence of corn whisky, but now he
was his own cherries self, and rath-
er faded by the passing OF the hours
/ fr T.
some responsibility. What word do
you fetch from the captain, brother?"
he demanded.
Miss Malroy is to be taken down
river" responded Darlington.
Slosson swore with SURPRISING flu
ency
Say. we're five able-bodied men
: risking our necks TO cblige him. You
, can get married damn sight easier
than this if you go about it right-l've
done it lots OF times" Not under
standing the significance OF Slossoni s
r allusion to his own matrimonial ca
4 reer, Darlington held his peace. The
T. tavern-keeper swore again with un
J. impaired vigor You'll find mighty
= few men with more experience than
4 me-" he asserted, shaking his head
But If you say the word"
I'm all for getting shut of this.'
answered Darlington promptly. witt
d a sweep of his arm. Il call thes'
o pretty close quarters!"
q Still shaking his head and mutter
ing. the tavern-keeper sprang ashore
d and mounted the bank. where hi
II slouching figure quickly lost itself IL
d the night.
(. Darlington took up his station oil
n the fiat roof of the cabin which fille'
d the stern of the boat. He was remem
{. boring that day in the sandy Baron,
road-and during all the weeks ant
T. months that had interviewed, Murrel
is working In secret, had moved steac
ID lily toward the fulflment of his de
g sires. UnQuestionably he had bee
back OF the attack on Norton, had IL
IN spired his subsequent murder. and tn
mans sinister and mysterious powe
Sc had never been suspected. Carrin!
If ton knew that the horse-thieves an
Il slave stealers were supposed TO mail
| tain loosely knit association: h
IT. wondered If Murrell were not tn
moving spirit in some such organic
I'd ton.
IF Id only pushed my quarrel wit
4: HIM" he thought bitterly.
as He heard Slossons shutting step
the distance, a word or two when |
n spoke grufTly to some one, and m
ng ment later he saw Betty and the DO
he their forms darkly silhouetted again
the lighter sky as they moved alor
CIV the top OF the bank. Slosson, wit
out any superfuous gallantry. help'
av his captives down the slope al
lid aboard the keel boat. where he lock-
re them in the cabin. the door OF whit
m fastened with hasp and wooden pc
De. You're boss now. pardner,
ell said. Joining Darlington at the ste'
nd ing oar.
to Wen cast on then" answer
un Darlington.
ice Thus far nothing had occurred
Irp mar his plans. If they could but o.
the bayou before the arrival OF t
man whose place he had taken I
rest would be. If not easy OF aoco
plishment. at least within the rea
of the possible.
pa Il reckon you're a river-man?" {
rch served Slosson.
ass "All my life"
led The line had been cast OF. and
lie crew with their setting poles We
ter forcing the boat away from the bal
the All was quietly done; except for
occasional order from Darlington
word was spoken. and soon the
,ho wieldy craft glided into the slugg
current and gathered way. Mr.. 81
son. who clearly regarded his relati
her to the adventure as being of an c
kin cial character. continued TO stand
Csrrington's elbow.
AXE ,rN M CONTINIrCDl