The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-07-13
CHAPTER TX.
Murder.

with hOrrined eyes at the jewel at her
feet At first she could not believe
that she was awake; then, leaning
forward. she picked it up and placed It
upon the table. The act, simple as it
was, reused her thoroughly. With a
little shiver, she turned to her father,
who had "egained consciousness and
was watching her through half.close6
eyes
"Well!" he said. well! Say it!
I know perfectly we'll what you ara
thinking. Give it name"
How came you to take the Bell, IA
ther? I saw 1t in his tent when we
sought refuge in his camp. You saw
1t there, too. Was it then that you
got it?"
Her father nodded silently but did
not take his eyes from her face.
Well she knew where the trouble
lay. Well she knew why he had taken
the stone, for the trouble had lain with
them always, and the shadow Of it
had blighted the latter years of her
, mothers life.
Sane upon every other subject, the
wealthy old miner, who had earned
worldwide reputation as connoisse,lr
in matters Of art, had got along with
1t an equally well-earned reputation
as kleptomaniac.
For years she had known Of this
failing Of her father. On her very
deathbed Dorothy'9 mother had spoken
plainly of it, laying it upon the daugh-
ter to be careful to prevent any such
thing from occurring again.
"You saw the stone when we were
in his camp" she reiterated. "Was it
then that you took it?"
Again he nodded silently. The girl,
her bright head sunk upon her hands,
stood silent with the shame of it.
II needed 1T needed it! And
they would not sell such curio. That
old priest would as soon have sold his
soul as this miserable Bell It's good
thing. my dear, that / did take it.
though, for now have the means with
which to buy Kynaston's freedom.
Who Is that coming up the hill? Is II
Wilkes come back?"
1t was Wilkes come back, and
Manuel along with him. A volley Of
curses Of more than ordinary fuency
told that they had companions.
NIotioning the women back, Upton
flung open the door, admitting the two
lnen with their prisoners.
"They come all right, but we had to
use some coaXin-hey, boz" laughed
Wilkes, punching the old colonel OF
artillery in the ribs with the long bar
rel Of his revolver. Colonel Mayer
fairly spat at him; then, seeing the
green Bell upon the table, he started
back In surprise. The next second he
was fairly fawning before the table.
"For this jewel" he cried, eel gen.
eral will make any concessions-do
anything! 1t will bring the last large
sum Of money our forces will require
before our arms establish govern
ment Of true patriots and we are able
to issue loans as recognized nation"
ooh, get down to cases!" snorted
old Wilkes.
"This, then. We have the men, but
no arms-no money to get arms.
Men? Pah! We are gathering men
on all sides. Our forces are daily In
creasing. Only last night we had
party Of seventy volunteers sent in by
Captain Colquez. He sent them In
with request that we send back the
ropes at once so that he could forward
| a fresh detachment"
"And you call them volunteers?"
asked Dorothy.
"Si, senorita! They, too, are vol
unteers-unwilling volunteers
theless, volunteers"
Wilkes grunted.
"Nemmind all that chatter" he said.
What you want is that Emerald Bell,
amt it?"
"Si, 81! T'or that we will let go
our prisoner; we will allow you to de-
part in peace--anything, everything!
speak for the general-I--"
"Shut up!" interrupted Upton.
| The old miner turned to Wilkes.
'I'm going down to their camp my
SELF" he said shortly. "You hold these
hostages for my safe return. I'll dicker
with this old highbinder personally;
give him the Bell If have to, but, any.
way, bring Kynaston back with me-"
| He hesitated.
II really owe 1t to tho boy" he con-
| Ciuueu. WnaC are you SuaRlHS your
Ical at. W-i;...;cco:"
Bray fool In mortar, yet shall
his folly depart not from him." quoted
Mr.. Wilkes. II member hearin' that
at Sunday school. II you go down
there an promise him the Bell for
Kynaston he'll grab you an shoot you
IL you don't come across with the Bell.
If you take 1t with you he'll take
1t, shoot you, an then shoot Kynas.