The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-11-15
CHAPTER li-Continued.

3
With an awkward gesture Liberty
stretched forth hand. caught Braces
and wrung it warmly. you're like
like Hamlet" he exclaimed. "I'll do
my best to help you, Hamlet. Let me
be your HOratio as well as your slave"
BRACE returned the fervent hand.
clasp. "My Horatio!" he agreed. And
then, solemn again, he added: "It's
worthy cause. Liberty. It's not alone
my private vengeance, but the wrongs
of a whole community that the Ordi-
nary machinery of Justice can never
right. Why, Liberty. dozens Of men
were murdered by those drunken
hends: little children were trodden4
under the hoofs Of their horses, and
women Near our house, Liberty, an
old couple live in poverty. At the
time of Step.o's raid their son xnd
his young wife lived next door to
them; they were well-tO-do and pros
porous. The day of the raid the son
had received ten thousand dollars from
the sale of some lands. When rumor
OF the raiders came. he hurredly hid
the money somewhere in the neighhor-
hood, scrubbed on piece of paper the
location Of that treasure and gave it
to his wife before he went out with the
other men to fight. Next morning he
had been shot: and the young wife
had been carried off by those devils
her child with her. after the Indian
custom, to keep her from suicide. No
one knows what became Of her. Nor
has that money ever been found. Liber.
ty, If I conld find Stepho, get him in
my power. l believe could Mt least
woman-possibly find that paper and
learn where to find the money those
poor people so sorely need: for once,
some years ago, mysterious fellow
was caught digging about their yard.
But I've talked enough, Liberty.
Action! Do you know any more about
La VitteT'
mot much" replied Liberty 81 be-
leve he is often seen up the River,
and sometimes down on the coast. He
has his friends. and nearly everybody
else Is afraid Of him. So you-we-
must keep dark till we get our chance.
And you mustn't show yo-r feelings
in your face. Remember master.
you're just young man out to see the
world. H'm-here comes Colonel
Josh, Suppose we talk to him. He
was n mnle-hnyer in the war and may
know something about Stepho."
The door was darkened In came
Joshua Mortimer, the man whom Miss
Lucy had piled with questions CON
corning Drace. He bad lodged In for
smoke, he said. when Shottle had
introduced him to his master, and 1t
was evident that 1t was his aim to i'm
press BRACE with his military bearing
He had not been actually in the army,
but had acquired the title of colonel
from his adventurous work of buying
mules for the Confederate government
The Colonel "took it, that BRACE was
from the North.
Yes, but some Of my people were
from the South"
"Ah! congratulate you, sir. have
a match. thank you"
brace had offered him light. He
filed his pipe with tobacco crumbs dug
out of his breeches pocket, and. long
legs crossed. sat back to enjoy HIM
self
swell. sir, Mr.. BRACE, the war has
been ended some years; and if we for
get an evil as easily as virtue. ssir. 1t
will soon be only dim memory. !
had enough Of It,"
"But you were not really In the
up.
The Colonel pulled at his pipe.
stretched his neck and appeared to
fish for something down in his collar.
Liberty, my duty was scouting and
the incidental picking up of mules. as
the records of the War Department
will he pleased to exhibit, sir"
After few minutes more CONVERSE
ton the Colonel rose. 81 will now go
hack to the ballroom" he declared
himself. Liberty, ] came aboard to-
night with your third cousin, Miss
Lucy Sanders"
"That so? Come down, Marse Drace,
and I'll introduce you to her."
81 think. sir that she has retired"
the Colonel was quick to interpose,
realizing that he had thOughtlessly sug-
gested an invasion Of his own terri
tory.
"Not while there Is fiddle going"
said Shottle. TJome on"
into Virgils heart few the hope that
the slaves cousin might be the bar
baric girl with rhe roses; there could
be no MISLEADING her, after meeting her,