Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-10-24

I. -
He was slow in following, hanging
back as approached closer to the
motioniess form, and l could hear the
muttering OF his lips. Unquestionably
the man was dead OF this was as
sured before I even knelt beside him.
He lay on his face In a litter Of dead
leaves. and almost the first thing !
noticed was the death wound back of
his ear. where a large-caliber bullet
mad pierced the brain. His exposed
hnnds proved him a negro. and 1t was
with feeling of unusual repugnance
that touched his body, turning 1t
over sufficiently 20 see the face. All
at once krsw him, unable wholly to
repress o cry OF startled surprise as
stared down into the upturned
face-the dead man evidently muir
deTed, shot treacherously from behind,
was Free Pete. j sprang to my feet,
gazing about blindly into the dim
woods, my mind for the instant dazed
by the importance of this discovery.
What could II mean? How could 1t
have happened? BY what means had
he reached this spot in advance Of us,
and at whose hand had he fallen? He
could have been there only for one
purpose, surely-ln an attempt to
guide Eloise Beaucaire and the quad
room Della. Then what had become
Of the wOmen7 Where were they
now7
I stumbled backward to the support
Of the log, unable to answer any one
Of these questions, remembering only
10 that moment that must tell Rene
the truth.
''Tell me-please," she begged. "Is
the man dead? Who is he, do you
knowY'
''Yes." I replied desperately. 'He is
dead. and / recognized his face. He
is the negro Pete and has been killed,
shot from behind"
''Pete." she echoed, grasping at the
log to keep erect, her eyes on that
dimly revealed figure In the leaves.
-Free Pete. Cartons Pete? How
could he have got here7 Then-then
AAlG VlntIt AuUcl AlANG UCCl Will
What has become of themT
1T is all mystery; the only way to
holve II Is for us to go on. It can do
no one any good to stand here, staring
at this dead body. When we reach
the cabin we may learn what has oc.
Cured. Go on ahead, Sam. and we
will follow-don't be afraid, boy; 1t
Is not the dead who hurt u.s."
She clung tightly to me. shrinking
past the motiOnless figure. She was
not sobbing; her eyes were dry, yet
every movement. each glance exhibit
ed her depth Of horror. l drew her
closer, thoughtless OF what she was
my heart yearning to speak words OF
comfort. yet realizing there was moth.
ing left me to say.
"Do not mind me-" she said, paus.
ing before the utterance of each WORD
20 steady her voice. IL am not
going to break down. lit is the
suddenness--the shock. IL shall be
strong again In a minute"
''You must be-" | whispered, "fol
their lives may depend on u.s."
It was a short path before us ant
became more clearly defined as we ad
vanced. A sharp turn brought us int
full view Of the cabin, which stooC
in small opening. built against tn,
sidehill, and so ovcrnung with tree
as to be invisible, except from the dl
rection of our approach. We could se
only the side wall, which containe,
one open window, and was one-roon
affair, low and flat-roofed, built o
logs. Its outward appearance wa
peaceful enough, and the swift beat O
my pulse quieted as l took rapid SUI
vey Of the surroundings.
"Sam." / commanded, "you are I
remain here with Rene, while l lear
the truth yonder. Yes" to her quic
protest, "that will be the better way
there Is no danger and I shall not B
gone but for a moment"
seated her on q low stump an
left them there together, Sans ey,
rolling about in a frightened effort
perceive every covert In the wood
DuL lne girl SullSueu 10 WhIcn me J.
tently as moved cautiously forwar
A dozen steps brought me within vie
OF the front of the cabin. The do
had been smashed in and hung da
Cling from one hinge. Another ste
now with a pistol gripped in my han
enabled me to obtain a glimpse with
Across the puncheon threshold, b
feet even protrudlng without, lay
mans body; beyond him, half CO
cealed by the shadows of the interit
appeared the outlines of another, wi
face upturned to the roof, plainly
tlnguishable because Of a snow-whl
beard.
CHAPTER TX