Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-01-21
Cnnus b:s--a rope or pretty pears,
now, or diamond bracelet, eh?"
Eleanor nodded and laughed.


uer advanced and he became flushed
with wine. She let him hold her hand
and press his lips to it,; she listened
as he unveiled his propositions to
her. She was to come back to him,
OF course, and as soon as he obtain
ed his divorce they were to be mar
ried. Meanwhile, as his ward, she
was to live in his house; they would
return that very evening for his chauf-
feur was waiting outside
The chauffeur was John Haynes.
For, with $500 in his pocket, Poole's
real chauffeur was waiting at the rail.
road station to take the night train
to New York city.
But how was Poole to know that in
the dark? Poole, drunk and flushed
and triumphant, bearing Haynes
daughter on his arm and leering and
chuckling.
Home George" he said thickly, and
settled back in the automobile. His
eyes blinked heavily, he muttered
something, then his head fell on Ell
eanOr's shoulder and he began to
snore. The want Of sleep had told
on him during those days of fear;
he had shrunken into a haggard old
man, horrible to look upon.
This simplied John Haynes plans,
for, with his crippled leg, he had
doubted his ability to cope with the
man, should his suspicious become
aroused. Now, slowing the machine,
he leaned backward and abandoning
it for a moment whispered:
Have you found what spoke
Off"
Yes, my dear" he heard her whis-
per- and through the darkness she
stretched out one arm. In it was the
pistol which Poole had carried since
he had put his terrors behind him and
resolved to face his fate manfully.
John Haynes twisted the automobile
into the middle of the road and drew
his automatic Leuger from his pock-
ct. He placed it in Eleanor's hands.
slip it into his pocket" he said,
and she obeyed, feeling the dead
weight of the man on her shoulder as
he collapsed drunkenly with the spring
of the machine. He slept so sOundly
that 1t was not until the automobile
stopped, % miles from Boards, that
he awakened.
Amt we home yet, George" he
muttered. and opened his eyes wide
why, where the devil have you taken
me, you fool?' ne shouted wrathfully.
Il don't see no lights nor nothing,
Where is this? The Adirondacks?'
Yes, Mr.. Poole, the Adirondacks,"
Haynes answered, and limped heavily
to the ground. He motioned his daugh-
ter away, and, advancing, confronted
him. DO you know me?" he asked.
He saw the drunkard peer eagerly
at him as he stood leaning upon his
crutch in the light of the acetylene
lamps He saw the drunken vacuous-
ness pass from his features, and look
of terror succeed
Il see you do" said Haynes.
Suddenly with an oath, Poole whip
ped out the revolver from his pocket
to find the cripple covering him.
Haynes hand did not waver, though
he was bowed heavily upon his crutch.
Put it back in your pocket Poole
he said. Now, speak, man. You
know what | want to know"
In abject fear Poole trembled so
that he could not speak.
You dog" said Haynes, trembling
now SO that his pistol mouth described
wide circles-but Poole was too terri
fled to notice this-"you dog What
have you to say?"
They used me as tool" muttered
the terrified old man. "Beyers and
Robertson, and Frank Staples. Why
should bear the blame? I'll give you
back what can. You won't take the
life Of an old man."
What Of my daughter?" Haynes
roared, hobbling forward and press
ing his enemy back against the wheel
of the machine. Yours was the dogs
part, Poole You lured me to what
you thought would be my death, you
whom l could have pardoned, had you
fought like man for your ill-gotten
spoils. You sent that false telegram
which lured my wife away. Where is
she?"
In the extremity of his terror Poole
found sense to make a bargain.
Il know, | know" he stammered
But why should tell you If | am 60
ing to die? Come, bargain, Mr.
oil |
and cared for your girl all this time,
even if did lose my head over her
at last. Other men have done that
with other women" he babbled. You
won't hold that against the money I've
spent on her? Now listen! a bargain
I'll tell you how to find your wife and
give you back $20,000-Ill have to
mortgage my home to do it-and you'll
let me 60. I'm an old man; I've got
to die soon; it's no use having muir
der upon your hands"
Haynes regarded the shrinking fig
ure with awful sternness; his pistol
did not waver now.
Poole" he said, I'D hate to kill a
thing so mean as you. I'd hate to send
your naked soul shivering into the
fires Of hell before your time had
come. l give you your life, Poole,
and your money, too-that | shall get
from the chief conspirators. Here are
the conditions: you tell me where my
wife is and you play fair with me.
If you try treachery, it will recoil on
YOU"
Il agree, l agree" shrilled Poole
eagerly. "Chauncey e. Robertson
knows; she's. living and unharmed,
and that's all l can tell you. Go to
Chauncey in Benderville and play the
same trick on him that you have play
ed on me. He'll tell you'll you