Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-14
aim and win her--the dar,lnr,.

MN SHu VIII ncT--ttC uSTilnk.
ltc raised powerful arm and lungcd
al an Imaginary foe: I'm strong as an
on. and steady al Time. woll. It's Just
a question Of horse sense and gump-
ton. Wish chance would sneak by!
Wouldn't grab II by tho hind leg and
hold on till Kingdom Gomez"
GlnweriaS into the dripping shadows,
he made and rejected futile plans for
stor,ninS tho fortress OF Mr. FicldInE's
opposition
Presently he became conscious that
some one besides himself was abroad
Lahorious feet climbed the hill, slipping
clumsily oil the wet pebbles: heavy
breathing sounded near and nearer, and
a mnttered curse reached him.
pisincl:ned to bctray his presence.
since his crrand was not to be eXpla in sd
without loss Of dignity. he sat quito
sun 10 let the wayfarcr pass, cycling
the dim -approa ching form with lively
curiosity
What in the nation does anybody
want 10 come here night like this for
if they haven't got to-" he wondered
None OF my funeral he srinned at
the apt expression. Looks like might
be chief mourner. though"
The stranger advanced almost to the
lofty yew. against which HairSton's
dark-clad form was indistinsuishable
then turned TO the right and began to
sropc his way across the sections.
Avoiding the tombstones. which could
be palely seen. he wound tortuous
way onward. Hairston half rose then
stopped. after All. it's none of my bust
ness. The fellow may be going to weep
over his lost srcat-uncle."
But the news instinct OF the reporter
'riumphed, and lie began TO follow dis
crcetly.
fairston had gone only few steps
when a scrambliue rush. a bump, q
StranSled snort aud heavy fall echoed
through tho trees. Tho sounds were so
startling and unexpected that he stood
still III amazemcnt. What OH earth was
happening OFF there in the dark? Then
he remembered Mr. Ruttinsky and be-
gan 10 laugh
IT'S no joke for that old rascal to
swat YOU: I'd better 20 and help" lie
started in the direction of the weird
sounds. but his path was dark and devil
Gus. and il was some minutes before he
drew near enough to distinguish words.
oh, Lord. oh. Lord" cried the un-
seen victim. Call off your devil. lie
me git out this here grave. I don't
wanter die. | amt ready to die Lemme
out once. Lord" y movement was heard,
then quick patter OF feet, blow, and
deep groans
Got me aEin durn your hide, Never
knew before tina; the devil could bite
Here. Mister Devil, faint fair to hit Il
man when he's down. An me sober AS
4 tree, too, Jcs' lcmmc out an meet
mo OH even ground. you'll see if l DON,
lick you good"
fairston leaned against tree, weak
with laughter. lie recognized the nasal
drawl as that OF Jed Peters. the town
ne'er-do-well. and realized from his
voice that he was not seriously hurt.
The effect OF the complai lining whine.
coming from the depths OF the newly
dug grave into which the old ram had
outt"d him. was irrcsistibly comic
What story" thought Hairston
with satisfaction. Regular scream. Let
him stay there "A little. do him eood"'
Again the man tried to rise. and
again. each time forced TO retreat BY his
mysterious enemy, and each time break
ing into more blistering invcctive. AT
last. his nerve entirely gone. he fairly
burst into hoarsc, piteous sobs. and
Hairston. thinking the drama had gone
far enough. was about to call out. when
o
stone.
MY Cod My Cod" the miserable
wretch sobhcd. Il know we'll enough
what you aimin' at, but | amt all to
blame. an ii amt square TO sick the
devil Oh 10 me like this. When do the
others git theirn | wanter know" Il
helped gil the stun, an twas me that
hid ii under old Parson Yatess tomb.
stun y"ndcr. but ii want me that sand.
gagged the watchnlan. honest to good.
ness IL want. ! never killed Il man
ytt, an | never would stole but for
them damned crooks lcadin me on
Treatin' me SO cityfied. an actin SO
burned slick. an. like as not, countin
on sneakin' off an never givin' me
cent crep' up here I'm the dark, to
see II twas safe, An here come the
devil, lickcty split
He groaned again. then went on, Bit
terly:
Might smart. amt il, TO have me
hide the STUFF an you set yonder to the