, 1923-01-02
V~NSTAILMENT No. TWO.
sf95ISS q 449s

mt NO. TWO.
well. I'm a rough solc1er: you are al
familiar with my ways. The man
who hes'tates-dIes."
! ONE OF their number sprans to his
" feet and dashed toward the win,
dow. The gray mans revolver flash
ed in the c~andlelight.
Quick" cried tho man who had
caused this agitation. Some n on
the roof"
They followed him peIlmell through
the window. Crouched close to the
wall was a form. They bounced up,
on It roughly. hustled It to the win.
dow. and those yet Inside hauled the
offender into the loft.
II saw a hand flash across the win.
dow space. in the act of throwing
something. A boyT'
The gray man shook the boy VIC.
Iently. The hat fell off.
Good Lord. a woman!' cried some
one.
Hold herr said the chief. He ran
downstairs to tho street. searched
doorways. cellarSwindow pits. but
found no one: nor could he discover
a runner, east or west. He assembled
to the loft again.
80. a young woman." He laid his
revolver on the table. what were
you doing there by that Window"
She did not answer In reaching
her point of vantage outside thai win.
dow she had been forced to crawl
through cellars, worm her way over
bales Of cotton. through CRIME and
dust. What with the dust and the
sweat Of her e~xertions. she looked
like the urchin she pretended to be-"
How did you find out our pres.
ence here?'' demanded the gray man.
No answer.
You refuse to answer questions?
Your life depends upon IT."
well, then, you must pay. the pen.
atty. You must die"
Then she spoke. "And who among
you will be SO brave as to do the
Bining?"
a." said the gray man. To her
ears there was something terrible in
that cold, unconditional tone. He
whipped the mask from his lace sud.
denly. IT will let you look upon my
face to prove to you that I will never
let you leave this loft alive. uncon.
ditionaily.''
TT was the face Of a fanatic She
J. had only to look into those metal
lie blue eyes to know that he would
keep his word. She sent a rowing
glance among the other masks.
VIII you permit such a thing7"
docs an oath mean anything to
your" asked her grim q~uestioner.
"Yesr' with proud, uplifted chin.
'7Win you take oath to reveal moth
ing you have heard2"
No. I have given my oath. heart
and soul to the South. Either let me
so or shoot me-if you car.
walt a moment, Parson.' pleaded
the u mar to whom she oweC.her
capture. ct have an idea We can't
really permit you to shoot her"
Herr She has no SEX" said the
leader placidly. We can't be both.
cred with a prisoner at this hour"
I'VE can tic her up and leave her
here. But this is my idea. I'll handle
this pretty viper. No doubt she's pref.
ty under that smudge," he added
ironically.
Pull my tnnEs If You can" she re
piled.
The gray man frowned thoughtful.
ly. She had courage.
Said the young man: 'You say you
you are bound heart and soul to the
South. Well. your body shall never
be;ong to It."
She stepped banh-her first sign
Of fear.
Come. come" warned the CHIEF.
none of that. Better let me take
the burden upon these shoulders. It's
thing &c shoot a spy; 1t is another
thing to
'You haven't heard me through"
~interposed the young a What I
mean is, her body shall be bound to
the North.
"And how2"
"By marriage to one of usF'
One of the number gave a start of
at the suggestion.
The gray man smiled for the first
time. Marry her TO one of these mad
young c~ockerels. bind her and leave
herl
But Il by chance I should already
married?" she inquired. her cour-
age returning.
IF you wish to commit bigamy.
that's no nce of ours" with al
swift, unexpected gesture the young
caught her HANDS. The fingers
rnsless. He laughed and
flung aside the hands.
Who's for this fool adventure7"
demanded the gray man. His com
radss stirred uneasily. Make up
your minds: It is death Or marriage.
/ stand ready for either ceremony"
CHE wanted time. time, timel It
y would take her confederate fully
an hour TO return with men. She had
In code enough to condemn
them all TO tho wall IT the moose.
Wrapped around a pebble, II had
boon flung into the street. She had
not known that these desperate men
would really be here she had put
hardly any faith at all in the darly's
tale.
And now to play with them. 10