Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-04-24

Ei v
and Was Eagerly CHANGING 1t
Through.
his cabin. with the intention of carry
ing the. hidden bundles OF money to
Texie and taking her into his full con-
fidence, when he saw Mrs. Curry, fat
and portly, hurrying across the
orchard at her puu.y best
Here's a note Texie left FIR y'u."
She held up an envelope, sealed.
LEFT FIR meT-he was in at the
gate in three strides and hurrying
across the yard-"where's she goneY
"She got a letter this mornin'," Mrs.
Curry puffed, land she said she'd hat
t. go t. town. She writ you this note,
mounted Brownie and rode away lick
ety-split. She said if she didn't come
back this evenin' I wuz t. git you t.
sleep at our house. and l wus t stay
with Aunt Liza"
The woodsman had snatche6 the
note and was eagerly glancing 1t
through:
"Dear Jack:
eve had such wonderful news. Ken
amt dead, after all. He is in the city
at woman's house named Doll Baker
on Brickbat alley. He is sick and
wants me to come Mr.. Hopkins got
a letter from him askin' him to come,
bein his old classmate, so he went last
night and wrote back to me this morn
ing. Pore Ken, guess he is awful
proud, and he is SO sick Mr.. Hopkins
thought he better not tell him nothing
about father. He don't want me to tell
nobody, and to come alone. But /
would of told you, for know you wont
tell, but saw you going UP in the
woods this morning. SO wrote you this
note. o, Jack, amt you glad.
"TEXIE."
He crammed the letter into the en-
velope, thrust 1t into the pocket of HIS
blouse and turned back across the
yard; stopped, and glanced around at
the woman. .if5,l4 $
"She had t. go and look afterisome-
business he said. II low I'll ride in
and hep 'er"--he pondered a moment;
went on--"and i reckon YOU better
stay at Aunt. Liza's, as she said. I'll
be back t'night-sometime- 1t may
be late"
The woodsman probably never COW
cred the distance to the barn as quick
ly as he covered 1t that day. The
words: ''if she's there" that had so
puzzled the pair in the old cabin-as
well as the man at the chink-fiared
clear as the midday sun. Hopkins-it
was his last desperate move-a move
totally unforeseen. His intentions to-
ward the girl had been foul from the
first. That he would make some at
tempt to rob the safe was to be expect
ed-had been expected. But this
He buckled on his spurs bridled and
saddled Graylock with a-feverish haste
that walked the mettle of the good
horse. When he led him out, Mrs Cur
ry was waddling across the barn-lot
In the tense moment he had forgot
ten that his haste must be causing her
no small wonder.
Eyes, low I'll ride in and find 'er,"
he ventured, land bring Ter back t.
Observation-Disclosures you better go on
t. Aunt Liza's anyhow, fr fear it'll be
late, and we'll come and git yu."
He saw that the attempt at reassur-
ance-an attempt that cost him no lit
tle-had failed. The good housekeep-
er's face twisted quite beyond her con-
troll; her apron went up to her eyes. !.
"Oh, Jack she sobbed, sim plum,
fuster'd Las night Brother Hopkins
left without leavin' mo word, and now
Texie's rome" ssi~s "A ss.a
The man turned and feigned to sad-
just the saddle girth. A woman's
tears-the big woodsman was utterly
helpless he glanced back at the
heaving apron. .Assay4sm ~
Nov, Mis- Curry. don't be fiuster'd.
She's ell right" He hesitated.s. Them
two facts amt no ways-connected,s
he finally muttered. knowing only too
well that they were. 1.-THE. parson
more'n likely went In after some more
books, nHars like he must "a gene
through allathem . had, and Tickle
I'll hunt 'er up this afternoon and ride
home with 'er." He gazed hard to.
ward the village. II don't b'lieve, If
I was you, I'd leave the house till after
dark, and wouldn't mention she's
gone-only t. Aunt Liza and Uncle
Nick" Is. se W 81
The apron came down from thestrous
bled face and the housekeeper began
to dry 1ner eyes, The woodsman turned
away; stopped; turned back. 20
Zone question-G2d she take 'er re-
volver with err" -
wy, no." was the wondering an.
swer-.why1.