The Huttig news., 1915-10-16


 in advance of Anse Cowan. who proposes to marry Noreen at once. and so quiet title to the land in dispute between the Cowans and Noreen's dead father.
 CHAPTER Ix-Anse Cowan and his gang arrive and find the preacher bound in closet. Wyatt and Noreen have con- cealed themselves In the attic. cover was on hinges, and 1t slipped over the edge of the hole noiselessly. We lay there pressed closely together In silent suspense. We could distin. guish the opening and closing of doors, and the sound of voices calling to others on the floor below. Once some fellow. apparently just beneath us, ripped out an oath
 Well, by God. Jack. do you suppose Nichols has dared play such durned trick on me and squealed to the girl?" Hanged If I know" was the sullen reply. But 1t don't look like thar was a soul in the house."
 I felt her hand touch mine softly, and bent my head until her lips were at my ear.
 That was Anse Cowan," she whis- pered. "I recognize that voice. What do you suppose they will do now?"
 My fingers frightened their grip; the men below had moved on, their voices grumbling along the hall.
 They will discover the preacher presently" said. endeavoring to make my words as reassuring as possible "I only wonder they have overlooked him so long; l supposed he would make an outcry."
 She drew in her breath sharply, and sat up. The movement was noiseless, but in the instant of intense silence which followed, we heard below us the sudden sound of struggle, muffed voice calling for mercy, the shuffling of body being hauled forward across the floor. Then someone ran along the hall. passing just beneath us.
 What have you found, Kelly?" It was Anses voice roaring out the ques tion. An! the old fox dug out of his hole, hey! Now see here, you canting old Baptist hypocrite, what kind of a trick is it you are playing on me? Stand him up there boys, against that rail. Stop your bowling, or I'll smash you one in the face. Where did you find the fool, Jack?"
 Locked in a closet wonder; looks like it might be the girls room. The darn fool is too skeered ter talk yet"
 Well, I'll make him, CT else thar'l Il be dead preacher in bout a minute l reckon as how I'll do as much skeer ing as anyone Now, Nichols, ye see thet! Whut the devil wus yer doing in thet closet?"
 'They-they done put me thar Anse."
 Go on. Who wus yere beside the girl when yer cum?"
 "A Yankee Ieftenant, cavalryman I reckon from ther yellow stripes on his legs"
 "A Tank! Did yer hear the fellar's name"
 Damn if I'm sure; he's right good sized man, an not bad lookin'. Pears to me, now think of It, she called him Raymond"
 Wdo eoNAN WY though Anse's hand had closed again heavily on the fellows throat.
 "Raymond! 1 reckon yer lyin' ter me, parson Yer heard tell O thet fel- Ter over in camp. an ther name stuck. 'Twont be healthy fer yer ter play no game yere"
 q ain't, Anse. Quit a chokin' me. l never heard tell O no Yank named Raymond afore. Be thar one round yere?"
 Wall. thar was, but l don't reckon thar is now" doubtfully. Last heerd tell O him he wus over in Fay cite a ridin' like hell fer Charleston. Monte's band picked him up. an he didn't find this kentry none too healthy fer his line O business, which was fe' cruitin'-whut' that, Kelly?"
 Better let ther preacher tell his story, Anse We're losin' lot O time; I reckon thar must bin some kind O male critter yere; 'taint likely ther girl locked him up alone, an 1t don make no odds whut the Tanks name was. nohow" --------