The state herald., 1915-07-02
CHAPTER VIII.

ward Hixon. At times the moon strug-
gled out and made the shadows black
along the way. At other times II 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 II served its purpose
Of saving him from the suspicion OF
furtiveness. Though the front of the
house was black. behind its 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
orchard and heard a stable door creak
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
his ear and drawn rein. He rode at a
walk, for his train would not leave un-
til five O'Clock in the morning. There
was time in plenty.
II 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 a minute later
he had pushed his way into the smok'
ing car and dropped his saddlebags
on the seat beside him. Then, for the
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 we're the chosen spies. He did
not speak to the two enemies who tool
seats across the car, but his face
hardened. and his brows came together
In black scowl
When gifts back" he promised
himself. you'll be one OF the fusI
folks I'll look fer. Jim Asberry. damr
ye! All ! hopes Is thet nobody else
done git ye fust. Ye blongs ter me.
The sleeping car to which he wal
assigned after leaving Lexington wa,
almost empty. but he felt upon him tn,
interested gaze of those few eyes thai
were turned toward his entrance II,
engaged every pair with n pair yer,
clear and steady and undropping. un
I'll somehow each lip that had started
to twist In amusement Strengthened
and the twinkle that rose at frs
glance sobefed at second. Yet, fol
all his specious seeming OF unconcern
Samson was waking to the fact tha
he was a scarecrow. and his sensitive
pride made him cut his meals shor
In the dining car. where he was kept
busy beating down inquisitive eye,
with his defiant gaze. He resolved
after some thought upon definite pol
icy. II was very old policy. but tc
him new-hnd discovery. He woult
change nothing In himself that In
volved surrender OF code or convic
tion. But. wherever It could be done
with honor. he would concede to Gus
tom.
II 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
II was impossible TO hold his OWE
against the unconcealed laughter oi
the mnny. and he stood for an instan,
glaring about like Gagged tiger. while
three currents OF humanity separated
and flowed toward the three ferry
exits. Then he saw the smiling face Of
Lescott. and Lescotts extended hand.
Even Lcscott. Immediately gsrbed and
fur coated. seemed almost q stranger,
and the boys feeling OF intimacy frose
10 Inward constraint ana difiidenoe.
But Lescott knew nothing OF that.
The stole In Samson held true. mask.
Ing his em6tions
80 you came" said the New Yorker,
heartily. grasping the boys hand.
where's your luggngc7 Wen lust
pick that up and make dash Cor the
ferry"
"iiynr hit is." replied Samson. who
still carried his Haddiobagp. The
painters eyes twinklcd. but the mirth
was no frank and friendly that the
boy. instead OF glnring In defiance
grinned rospongiyely.
Right. OH" laughed Lcscott. 81
Thought maybe you'd bring trunk.
hut its the wise man who travels
light"
lie followed Loscoit out to the foot
OF Twcnty.tbird street. and stopped
with him into III, tonneau OF the
painters waiting cnr, Lcscott lived
with his family uptown. for II hap.
penod that. had his canvnacs pos.
poasod no value whatever, he would
still have been IN a position to drive
his motor and follow his impulses
about tho world II he did not take
tho Dor u his homo. II was because