The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-07-16

indicating his presence. Suddenly
something moved 10 her right. and she
shrank back against the tree, uncer-
tain if the shapeless thing approach
ing was man or beast. He was almost
upon her before she was sure; then
her lips gave utterance to a little sob
of relief.
"Ohi You frightened me sol"
The man stopped. scarcely a yard
away, burly figure, but with face in
distinguishable.
SORRY to do that" he said, but no
noise. please"
She shrank back to the edge of the
bank. conscious Of the grip of a great
fear.
"You-you are not Mr. Westcott?'
she clicked who are you? What is
it you want?"
You've been playin' in game
what's none o. your business. Now |
reckon it's the other party's turn TO
throw some cards. Thought yer was
comm out yere ter meet up with Jim
WestcOtt, didn't yer|'
She made no answer. desperately
seeking some means of escape, the full
significance of her position clear be-
! fore her.
Got a nice little note from jim
the fellow went on, AN lost no time
gittin' yere Well. Westcott is not
| liable to be sendin' fer yer again very
soon. What Their -"
She had dashed forward. seeking to
place the trunk of the tree between
them, the unexpected movement so
/ sudden, she avoided his grasp. But
success was only for an instant An
other hand gripped her. hurting her
/ back heIplessly.
You are some sweet little ladys
man. Moore" snarled a new voice
raspingly. Now let me handle this
/ business my own way Go get that
/ team turned around. IN bring the
girl. Come on now, miss, and the less
you have to say the better"
/ She grasped at the bark. but the
fellow wrenched her, loose. forcing her
forward. Keep still, you d. tiger
cat" he hissed "or I'll quiet you for
good"
What is it you want of me? Who
are you?"
Wen discuss that later. Just now,
move On-yes. straight ahead. You
see that wagon over there? Well that
is where you are bound at present.
Move on pronto."
She realized the completeness of
rhe trap into which she had fallen,
the futility of resistance. She was as
helplessly il his power as though
hound and gagged. Before them APP
peared the dim outline of a canvas
covered wagon silhouetted against the
sky, to which was hitched a team OF
horses.
AS they approached. the shapeIess
figures of two men appeared in the
gloom, one ut the head of the team
and the other holding back the canvas
top. Her guard gripped her arm, and
peered about through the darkness.
isn't Ned here yet?"
YES. all right" answered a muffied
voice to the left. Il just came out;
here are the grips aud other things"
And about the note?"
''She wrote that. and pinned 1t on
the pillow"
Good, that will leave things in fine
shape, ne iduSneu. L ike TO see
Jim's face when he reads that, and the
madden he gets the less he will know
what to do"
And you want us to stay?" asked
the other doubtfully.
"Stay-of course; / am going to
stay myself. 1t is the only way 70
divert suspicion. Good Lord, man, if
we all disappeared at once they would
know easy enough what had happened.
Don't you believe Westcott is that kind
of fool. All ready. Joe?"
The man at the wagon muttered
some response.
"Then up you go, miss; here, put
your foot on the wheel; give her lift,
will you?"
Anxious 10 escape further indigni-
ties, and comprehending the useless
ness of any further struggle with q