Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-09-05
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

NOW co ON WITH THE STORY
Denver was watchful. Sitting
across the campfire from the two
prisoners. he did not permit their
least movement to go unnotlccd
And the rifle was always at his
hand. The Wreck hoped that he
might become drowsy; even an m
stant's nod would be sufficient. But
Denver was apparently person
who could dispense with sleep
when he chose, and this was OBJ
viously one of the occasions. lie
was a black-haired, saturnine pee
son. apparently rather stupid, vet
smart enough to devote himself SIN
gle-handed to the vigil that had
been ordered by his chief
Sally and the Wreck made an
effort ito pass time in conversation,
but they felt no freedom Of speech
in the presence of Denver, who Us
tened but offered to take no part.
His presence discouraged talk, par
ticularly, as the one subject the$
wished to discuss-esoape-Was
prohibited because of his inevitable
eavesdropping. But thev boggied
along for awhile, half -heartedly, be-
cause there was nothing else to do,
until a deep-toned rumbiing noise
interrupted Sally in the middle Of a
sentence.
THUNDER, she remarked, casual
Nv. Wouldn't wonder if we caught
a storm"
"uh?uh," said the Wreck, gloomi-
ly.
He could imagine nothing more
uncomfortable than sitting there in
downpour. The camp did not
even boast tent.
Their was more rumbilng from
back in the hills, and twice there
were flashes in the black skies. Der
yer added a couple of sticks to The
fire and huddled back agin, still
with the rifle between his knees.
81 suppose well get wet" re-
marked Sally, in a resigned tone.
"Well, there's nothing on me that
will get hurt"
"Let it rain" said she Wreck.
There was stirring of leaves on
the topmost braches of the trees,
followed by an atmospheric slug
gishness that became oppressive
The lightning was growing more
brilliant and frequent while the
noise from the skies was multiplying
itself. Just one more discomfort to
be endured, the Wreck reflected;
they seemed to have encountered
nothing but bad luck since they left
the BARN..
A fresh roll of thunder, and y
second later Sally touched his arm.
He glanced toward her, and found
that her eyes were watching Denver
across the fire.
"What?" he asked.
81 didn't say anything" answered
Sally.
There was faint frovn on her
forehead which he interp; eted as an
order not to ask questions. Yet ne
knew there was something she wait
ed to say to him. She was still
looking at Denver, and the Wreck
also looked. The study brough him
no enlightenment. Denver sat ST.
idly and watched them without in
terest, yet with diligence that was
admirable. Presently the Wreck !
attention wandered.
More thunder and another touch
OF his arm. Sally was still staring
at the man on the other side of thc
ire. What did she mean? The
wreck also fell to staring, although
ne tried to do it in an uaobtrusire
manner. Apparently it had some
thing to do with Denver.
An instant late he had glmmel
OF understanding. There was a brill.
liant flash then an interval of three
or four seconds. then deem bel.
low that echoed heavily through the
woods. Denyer's head twiched ais
glance htted itself for an instant
toward the tree-tops, then he huddl.
ed back and glared again at his mrs
oners. The Wreck settled himself
to watch.
He had not long to wait. A vivid
play of light in the skies. se,ie.
of rolling crashes. Denyer's head
twlehed again in involuntary accom-
paniment, his shoulders stirred and
there was restless movement a
one hand. (Once more his eve,
sought the blackness overhead. onh
to vince when it was gasaed with a
white, irregular streak.
Sally and the Wreck EXCHANGED
glances, the latter making faioi
movement of his head, 70 sipnif,
THAT he understood. Denver wa,
D afraid of a thunderstorm, 1t scene,
SO absurd that for an instant N.
Wreck wanted to laugh. Stolid. in
sensitive to human contact, with
Jaw fashioned perfectly for a heay,