The Green Forest tribune., 1915-01-29
CHAPTER VIII.

ward Hixon. At times the moon strug- gled out and made the shadows black along the way At other times it was like riding in huge caldron of pitch. When he passed into that stretch Of country at whose heart Jesse Purvy dwelt he raised his voice in song. His singing was very bad and the ballad lacked tune but it served it's purpose of saving him from the suspicion of furtiveness. Though the front of the house was black, behind it's heavy shut ters he knew that his coming might be noted, and night-riding at this par ticular spot might be misconstrued in the absence of frank warning.
 The correctness of his inference brought brief smile to his lips when he crossed the creek that skirted the softly behind him. He was to be fol- lowed again-and watched, but he did not look back or pause to listen for the hoofbeats of his unsolicited escort. On the soft mud of the road he would hardly have heard them had he bent
 
 walk, for his train would not leave un- til five o'clock in the morning. There was time in plenty.
 It was cold and depressing as he trudged the empty streets from the livery stable to the railroad station, carrying his saddlebags over his arm. At last he heard the whistle and saw the blazing headlight, and minute later he had pushed his way into the smok. ing car and dropped his saddlebags on the seat beside him. Then, for the 1 first time, he saw and recognized his watchers. Purvy meant to have Sam son shadowed as far as Lexington, and his movements from that point def nitely reported. Jim Asberry and Aaron Hollis were the chosen spies. He die not speak to the two enemies who took seats across the car, but his face hardened, and his brows came together in black scowl.
 When 1 gifts back" he promised himself, you'll be one of the fust folks I'll look fer, Jim Asberry, damr ye! All I hopes is thet nobody else don't git ye fust. Ye b'longs ter me.
 The sleeping car to which he was assigned after leaving Lexington was almost empty, but he felt upon him the interested gaze of those few eyes that were turned toward his entrance He engaged every pair with pair very clear and steady and undropping, un til somehow each lip that had started to twist in amusement strengthened and the twinkle that rose at first glance sobered at second. Yet, for all his spacious seeming of unconcern Samson was waking to the fact that he was scarecrow, and his sensitive pride made him cut his meals short in the dining car, where he was kept busy beating down inquisitive eyes with his defiant gaze. He resolved after some thought upon definite pol icy. It was a very old policy, but to him new-and discovery. He would change nothing in himself that in volved a surrender of code or convic- tion. But, wherever it could be done with honor, he would concede to cus- tom
 It was late in the second afternoon when he stepped from the train at Jer- sey City, to be engulfed in an un- imagined roar and congestion. Here it was impossible to hold his own against the unconcealed laughter of the many, and he stood for an instant glaring about like caged tiger, while three currents of humanity separated and flowed toward the three ferry exits. Then he saw the smiling face of | Lescott, and Lescott's extended hand Even Lescott, immediately garbed and fur-coated, seemed almost a stranger, and the boys feeling of intimacy froze to inward constraint and diffidence. But Lescott knew nothing of that. The stoic in Samson held true, mask ing his emotions.
 "So you came" said the New Yorker, heartily, grasping the boys hand. Where's your luggage? We'll just pick that up and make dash for the ferry"
 "Hyar hit is," replied Samson, who still carried his saddlebags. The painters eyes tWinkled, but the mirth was so frank and friendly that the boy, instead of glaring in defiance, grinned responsively.
 Right, oh!" laughed Lescott q thought maybe you'd bring a trunk but it's the wise man who travels light"
 He followed Lescott out to the foot of Twenty-third street, and stepped with him into the tonneau of the painters waiting car. Lescott lived with his family uptown, for it hap pened that, had his canvases pos sessed no value whatever, he would still haze been in position to drive his motor and follow his impulses about the world. If he did not take the boy to his home, it was because