Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23

the ofieial description OF myself. and gave
1, out that Mr., Clayton had come home"
-Dere now. Miss Barbara" Nat srun,ed
q, tho window. II tols you 20. Rates. do
fellsr what nung dat dollar.-
"sh. Listenf" She siisneed him as Clay
ton went on.
we planned that our Negroes should
Identify Rafs whenever tbs officers came for
me. and that's probably what happened an
hour ago. You heard tho marshal call on
his agents, and must now reach Salamanca
before they discover that Rafs IL the wrong
man."
The incredulous planter and the country
physician stared at each other. amazed by
the success Of such an audacious scheme.
On the gallery outside Barbara choked her
exclamation. but Maj. Stark let his aston.
ishment break loose.
"what7 You trlcked the United States
government and substituted another man
In your placer
81 did"
And the officers arrested your proxy7"
Perfectly true. Other mems lives hang
upon my freedom. Rafc may spend few
weeks In Jail and got well paid for it,
II was Article One. Section One of stArk's
constitution to detest all forms of subter.
fuge; and with Rszilly's wrongs fostering
In his mind tho major glared straight At
Clayton. ready to believe that q man who
intrigued with a married woman would be
guilty Of other abominabls offenses. He was
in his most cantankerous temper. not inclined
to fall upon Claytons neck and wipe out
their ancient animosity. Blue fire glittered
from the angry planters eyes and met It's
answering fash a. Clayton controlled him
self and turned to 20.
: "wait. Stuart. wait" the doctor begged.
"No doctor. I'm sorry. but We cannot
90 through with it."
GO through with what?" old Stark de-
manded.
"A personal affair."" explained DR.. Hum.
phreys. "that We expected to discuss with
you"
What AFFAIR."" Tho major braced himself
belliserently and made. e.it plain that he pre-.
ferred to discuss nothing whatever with .
Clayton.
Speak lower. Ken" tho doctor warned
him. Nobody must suspect that Mr.. Clay.
ton is in your house."
How did he get into my house?"
Every line in Clayton's face grew harsh
with resentment yet he ignored the majors
tone and extended his hand to DR.. Hum.
phreys.
"Good.by. old friend my horse is waiting
and must co."
His mention Of the stockingfoot caused
Uncle Nat to move nearer and whisper.
Miss Barbara, he amt got no hoss. Dat
stockinfoot done broke loose an gone home"
The girl shook him of and paid no atten.
madder as he spoke.
Let the fellow go. Matt. Let him 60 be.
fore say something" The top Of his bald
head grew redder and he was struggling
hard to hold his wrath. but DR.. Humphreys
never noticed that, for he persisted:
"I've brought Mr.. Clayton here to tell
you about Tom Yandeu."
Tom Yandell? Tom Yandell7 What the
devil has he got to do with this mess? Young
man. is that all you can say for yourself?"
Angry as Clayton was, and hurried. he
turned back from the door. This was his
opportunity through Maj. Stark to justify
himself in the eyes Of Adelaide.
Major" he glanced at his watch and spoke
in rush. "You remember Col Thomas B.
Yandell"
Remember Tom Yandell? should say ]
do. One night when We were holding the
line in front Of Richmond. old Tom says to
me-"
The exconfederate would have talked fol-
hours II Clayton had not stopped him.
Il have no time. sir. Please don't in
terrupt. Listen"
Dammit. am listening"
Neither friend nor enemy, blue nor gray
had ever dared break into one of the majors
"reminiscences. From sheer stupefaction HI
dropped to the edge Of chair, with both
hands crossed over the head Of his cane
while Stuart Clayton stood before him, the
dark face flushed and black eyes gitterinl
as he told Of Yandell, the soldier. the gentle
man. the builder-the benefactor Of hi
father and himself who did marvellous thing.
in big way. until the Vulture of Salamancs
wanted to confscate his fortune.
The eager DR.. Humphreys leaned forwart
and uttered no sound for fear Of checking
the swift hot flow Of Clayton's words. Tn,
boy seemed to grow even taller with indigna
ton at the wrongs Of Col. Yandell, who hat
been abducted from a public cafe and nov
lay in dungeon at Ell Jucaro, looking fol
his friend to return with arms and rescue
him.
Never had Barbara heard such tale Mo
tionless. she knelt and hung entranced upor
Claytons vivid descriptions, AZ he denounced
the tyranny that he meant to destroy.
"And by Gods grace, Maj. Stark" the Lar
finished. II must get him out of there
That's why I'm lodging about these woods
That's why tricked my government. Gcot
night. SIR"