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THE CEH: OMAHA. SUNDAY, ATOIL 10. 152S.
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TUB STORY TIWS FAR
ON opptuu Uas Lsa Mmmtam,
Musumppi, arc to tam
(MflM, mmiW fry Mui. Ktmmmk
Sawn, ? Nvwm, prapmtr t
Bo Clayton, kA Us M SsIsssssmh.
CmwnJ MrW, foliowUg steal mik
HU Stmrh. As lite story Wf
re fcwUMg Stuart, Oeu. Claf
ton (ok, kA Am remm pwirt
LmcU Nil Mai.
Sw't
etW mrrtior. icsrnt Stuart, hl is Mrsfd
atupartoM M
sy,sstiW Wktr, MmJ k,
mtd W fueji, AdaUids, wit Flansn
RmmUIv, a eeLoi creote. 7ke girt A!
M Stuart, uvtoe Ifcey lama at "A
myttenou Aonamaii," m lA mims'i
it in ova kuA Barker, msm Act loin
him U "AdtUuUr Imdigamt t his
suppottd imposture, Barbara crests 5H
art coieVv irne lAa two mUU kp a
ryl at lAa Lon Oaa, ani JU cUtpt km
in Ait arm. To escape him oa laUi him
A is mmrinL Stuart fives (acte A at
a note or " ,4tisi4s " W ty susteA
it tails -into florian haads. RmnUr
MMari revenge. L'ncla Act keen Smart
Am 6mm arrattaif oy th etterei Man.
Dot later funis turn hiding a
nuigtoi Stuart rcutat to k.
SEVENTH INSTALLMENT.
STUART CLAYTON UNDEB ARREST.
DURING his Jealous eirllemwnt Hastily
bad forgotten, but now remembered,
that he meant to give Information
which would secure tha apprehension of
Clayton, and b cunningly reasnmd that by
keeping tha woman in debt ho might also
aa tha man.
For a who Razllly aw nothing except
that bundle of obstinacy under tha wistaria,
Had bo lifted a alngla glaoco to tb left b
moat have caught a gUmpao of TTncla Nat
hurrying horn along tha driveway, full of
his groat news, "that the President of the
United State had come all the -way from
Washington dry and grabbed Mister Stuart
Caaytoa." Already he had aeleetad Dr. Hum
phreys as a first line of communication, and
was calculating the exact spot from which
be would about, about loudly enough for Kr.
Hastily to hear and quickly enough to fore
stall hostilities. Three steps farther and Nat
had begun on Umbering his mouth to holler,
when he stopped and stuck up his head, lis
a mod turtle, at something that he spied la
the pasture. '
lite Cherokee hedge does aot grow regu-,
larly and continuously like a well trimmed
privet hedge, but In a succession of billowy
mounds, similar to a line Of low, green hay
stacks. Between two of these mounds old
Mat had glimpsed a wide brimmed hat. The
man beneath the hat was standing near his
broken panel
" Lawd, Gawd!" be groaned. " Dere's Mis
ter Stuart, done 'scaped away from de eon
stables." Sending one swift glanoa toward
Dr. Humphreys, who pre no sign of atten
tion, old Nat plunged . through the hedge,
when Clayton heard the rending of bushes
and whirled to meet his enemy.
"OJ It's you! NatT he exclaimed guard
edly. " Did you bring my answer T"
The terrified go-between made bo reply, but
rushed up and jerked at Clayton's sleeve, j
Far Gawd's sake git asny from dls plan
tation! GltawayT
No." The whit man stood Cast. "DM !
you deliver my note?"
" Never got nary chance, 'Seas away!
ffcapeswayr ,
Clayton was not to be chased off, but triad
to reassure the Negro, I am leaving soon,
perhaps tonight."
"Better leave right now. tlx. Raaale's gone
to aca-tin 'spkaoua. Dont you try to speak
wid dat lady. If you's bleegsd to do soma '
apaaUn', talk wid Iftss Barahara. den sep
arate yo'sef from dls plantation, An', Uls
ter Stuart, look out fer dem conatahlaa,
DeyH be at de magnolia tree In lea about a
minlt." . '
. Kafa tongue never stopped, neither did his
legs; he kept talking as he rushed along "
behind the hedge, and scrambled over a
fence Into the stable lot, where he stopped
to listen for the fireworks.
Quality folks have auch a peculiar fash
ion of settling their squabbles without mak-
Ing a fuss that Uncle Nat stretched both
ears end never heard so much aa the pop
ping of a cap. The ' atleoee made him
fldgetty. . : ; v
He couldnt figure how any man could be
rambling around loose after the President
of the United St&ttes had grabbed him. Had
Mister Stuart escaped away from the consta
ble, or had he and the President patched up
a gentleman's agreement? Of coarse, when
the President needed a man, he learned down N
from Washington City and grabbed Mm;
' then the man had to come. On the other
hand, old Nat didn't believe that anybody
would dare grab a Clayton until Mr. Josh
Walker mentioned that it was the President
himself. Which made the transaction prop
er and regular. But why did the President
4 aim go? Official, laxity pot a spoke In
Nat's prtvele wheel Now bo oould aever
pacify a ores? fYsachman with details of
the note sender being dragged away, whan
Mr. lUatlly wag UaMa to catch that man
talking with his wtfa. And it RaatUy did
eatcb htm, taea anmathlng was boaad to
blow an,
Yam his position ia the stable lot Unci
Hat' eooldat see a thing, and be bated to
get caught alone when the exploston
Tbesj Nat thong hi of Dr. Humphreys en
the treat gtDery and toted his skittish n a
around the north aide of the boose, where
be sat down nigh the doctor.
This change of baas occupied that brief
Interval during which Clayton debated
with himself behind the hedge. Us knew the
southern spirit and approved Its condemna
tion of a man who pursued another's wtfe.
There might be wisdom In Uncle Nat's sug
gestion that be talk with Miss Stark, who
bad been present at the lakeside meetings
and could attest their Innooence. Tet Clay
too wanted to see Adelaide herself. Just ones
more before be left the states forever, ached
to see her with such unreasoning desire that
be would accept any baaardv The extent of
peril to which he might expose the lady,
Clayton had considered; bat he did not sus
pect that his note had fallen Into RaaUry's
hands or that tha husband himself glared
from a parlor window.
He stood facing the Dig boose with Its
south door opening on a porch and steps
leading down to the side yard. To bis right,
on the front gallery, he son saw Dr. Humph
reys smoking alone, until Uncle Nat slipped
around and took his seat. Unconsciously
Clayton felt heartened by the presence of a
man who had always been bis father's friend
and could be railed on in a pinch. Then be
parted the Cherokee roses and pressed
' through the broken panel.
Upon bis unannounced entrance to Ben-'
wins"" yard, where no Clayton had set foot
since his father's duel, the trepasser'a eye
fell upon Mrs. RjLXlIty, where she sat beneath
the wistaria, digging holes In the turf with
the heel of a 'tiny slipper. He thought of
course that his black horse Lady of the Lake
could be none other than Miss Stark, and
seised his chance to find "Adelaide," or to
send her a farewell message. So he stepped
forward, hat in hand, and appeared with a
quiet " Good evening," when the lady discon
certed him by. springing up and staring
wildly. ...
"Toul Ton here!" she exclaimed, smother
erlng her voice and running to him. " Get
away! Get away! Mr. Razllly will kill your
Tboee were her exact words aa Adelaide
for many years remembered them. And '
when her exasperated husband rushed
through the side doorway, paused on the
porch, and came leaping down the steps he
"caught his wife pressing both hands against
Clayton's shoulder, shoving him backward
toward the hedge, and heard her cry out
that Mr. Raxilly would kill him.
Then Adelaide recoUed and stiffened with
horror as her dilated eyes fell upon Florian
' himself. The Creole came so swiftly that
Clayton bad not seen him. As he turned .
and also faced Raxffly the three stood like
stone, two men confronting each other In
that narrow yard, which yet . was broad
enough to stage the world's most ancient
tragedy. With a slight Inclination of the
head Clayton spoke first.
' "Mr. Baafflyr ,- '
The sound of his voice roused the rigid
Adelaide, who stepped quickly between them
and bUd a hand upon Floriairs arm. Ten
minutes before1 she had not quailed before '
his vehemence, but this menacing stillness .
was far more terrify lug. Her beseeching
eyes appealed to Clayton. Why did he not
go? Why did he stand and bow so stiffly aa
he repeated, "Mr. Baxllly, I believe"?
" Wait, sir.". The Frenchman lifted a hand
Cor ailenoe and took his wife's arm. " Not a
word, sir, until this lady has withdrawn.
Too will await me here." '
' Then Clayton remained utterly still as ,
. RazOly whirled and escorted his wife into the
boose. So low had been their words that old'
Nat failed to catch a syllable of what one
had said to the other. If these were two
negroes wrangling over a woman the entire
county could have heard them. Everything
took place In a minute, and after all of Mr.
Rasilly's threats. Uncle Nat could not believe
that he had actually done no more than lead
his Inside, without a solitary cuss word.
Nat also wondered why Mr. Stuart didn't
escape through the hedge when he bad such
a good chance.
Nothing now prevented the Intruder from
leaving, yet he continued staring against the
blank walls of the house. For Clayton had
need to think. He was unarmed, his weapon
being left at borne to avoid the possibility
of harming a man who protected his own
wife. By every honorable law Razilly might
well exact atonement, and the offender mast
accord It. Otherwise the country would
sizzle with gossip of an irate husband chas
ing the roue from Bennington, with brave
men branding him as a poltroon and women
tittering at Adelaide from behind their fans.
The thought was unendurable; yet, that
being his personal affair, he must not jeop
ardise the secret business which had brought
him to the states and had not even been con
fided to Adelaide. He must not forget a
white haired friend now held prisoner by
the Vulture of Salamanca, and ""H-g the
days in bis dimgeai until Clayton ahoold
retaaas him. Nor could be break faith with
comrades that were watching from their
reeky coast for El Senor Clayteo to land bis
gringo machine guns and overthrow the
Vulture.
Ha hfe was not bis own to be trifled with,
and that alternative Cashed before him when
fUsuly said. "You will await me bare." Is
a few moments the boaband would rush out
again, and Clayton felt eompensd to go. But
le must not be left In Ignorance to
despise him for a coward. Somebody must tall
her. Whom could he trust T Dr. Humphreys?
Tea. Swiftly be thought, and even more
swiftly be decided. Almost upon the Instant
that Raatny vanished through the doorway,
Clayton turned in the opposite direction,
then bealtated, and halted; for the blgb
minded pbysldan would never carry mes
sages to a married woman, unlets Clayton
told him only half the truth.
As old Nat saw him coming he sprang up
with finger pointing to the road, and almost
shouted in the hope of warning Clayton.
"Look yonder, doctor! Alnt dat de same
automobile what fotch dam constables?
Mister Stuart better git away quick. Lawd,
LawdT" be gasped as the headstrong young
ster advanced to the steps, saying:
"I beg your pardon, sir, but Isnt this
Dr. Humphreys?"
" Tea, my name Is Humphreys. " The old
gentleman rose and smiled.
I am Stoart Clayton."
"Stuart Ctaytonl" With both hands he
welcomed the son of General Bob, "Bless my
soul, boy, Tm proud to see you. Look
Stuart, here's Uncle Nat Too remember
him?"
Tve just been talking to Uncle Nat." he
answered. "Doctor, can you spare me a
moment, privately, at once? "
"Sure! Make it a week."
" Then please come to the road. Nat, you
stay here and watch."
The broad, gray back of Dr. Humphreys
followed a slim drab figure through the rose
garden, and be naturally supposed that Nst
was left behind to guard against a visit from
the officers. But wise old Nat knew better.
Twarnt the constables. It was Mr. Raxilly
who aimed to raise a rookua. Major Stark
wouldn't show up. This being the time for
his bath, the major would slosh around in
the tab for half an hour, if the house burned
over his head. Nat could see Miss Barbara
questioning Neezer at the wharf; while Mr.
Raxilly In his room talked to Mrs. Razmy
loud enough for anybody to hear. Things
looked reasonably safe, but old Nat squinted
every which way as Clayton led De. Humph
reys through the bushes towards the) publlo
' ..... ... .'M. . '-. .. . " t'-
' The two men had scarcely disappeared
when RaxQly opened, his door, slammed it
behind him, ran across the hallway, and
entered Major Stark's room. '
" Dere now! " Nat grumbled, " Hen gone
tattlin' to major "bout dat Utile ole note."
At the Identical panel where Mr. Foxyjaw
bad halted his car to question old Nat by
the roadside, Stuart Clayton now climbed
the Bennington fence.
. "No, doctor," be turned and said; "yon
needn't get over. But I'd better stay on the
outside, In ease of accident."
His caution seemed to confirm Nat's tale
that the constables were fixing to grab him,
and Dr. Humphreys wondered why. Across
the road hay the dry bed of a slough, so
grown up In jangle vines that a man familiar
with the country must surely escape from
any pursuing stranger. The doctor ob
served that Clayton eyed this slough, and
also looked both ways along the road before
moving back to tha fence. Tet the physician,
betrayed no curiosity as be rested his elbow
on top of the whitewashed plank, f1"g
a pipe, and outwardly serene.
"Well, Stuart," he remarked, Tm mighty
glad you've) come home. Wish we could ait
' down and talk for a month." ( :
"Haven't got time." He spoke almost
curtly. "Doctor, Pm going away tonight,
and leave my reputation in your hands."
" " In my hands?"
"Tea, When Pm gone people may con- ,
damn ma for hiding from the federal fa
cers." .
"Wouldn't it be manlier not to hide?
Better give yourself up?"
"I canX doctor! leant!"
"Tour father would."
' " Father would do Just what I am doing
break every neutrality law on earth and go
back to Salamanca."
' This failed to convince the straightforward
old physician. His gray head continued to
shake as young Clayton said, i with a Jerky
gesture towards Bennington House:
" They are not my friends up there, and
I want them ' to know especially Miss
Stark " he dared-not say "Mrs Razllly."
" Oh! that's it?" the doctor whistled softly.
" No, not that I don't want any American
girl to think of me as skulking about these
woods like a horse thief."
Hie excuse was desperately thin, and Clay
ton searched the kind old face to note how
far It served.
"Yes." Humphreys stroked his gray
beard, and half agreed. "Yes. But, my
dear boy, it looks bad for you to be "
"Wait, doctor!" the dear boy had no
leisure to discuss ethics when he wanted to t
send a grapevine telegram to Adelaide
through Dr. Humphreys and Miss Stark.
" Wait, doctor! Colonel Thomas B. Yandell is
your friend? "
"Yes, we soldiered together. Stark and
I were talking about him this morning. '
How is old Tom?"
"He's rotting in
Whatr Humphreys dropped bis pipe
as he grappled Clay Urn's shoulders and de
manded, "Tom TamkllT lo prison T"
" Yea. That's wby I came to the states."
" To keep out of jail yewvehT'
" No. To buy machine guns and get bun
out We must drive the Vulture from El
Jucaro."
"The Vulture? What's thatr
" He's tbe Dictator, General Tartartlla ths
' Vulture of Salaroanca. "
" Look at me, Stuart Clayton," Dr. Hum
phreys gripped the top plank; of the fence,
and his gray eyes g Uttered like bayonets.
" Has one of those Infernal politicians dared
to lay hands on Tom YandeUT"
" Yea, sir; and he may never come out of
prison alive."
"Then wby the dovil did yon run away?
Why didn't you do something to help him?"
" Thai's exactly what I am doing."
No man could doubt tbe boy's sincerity
as he crowded tbe story of years into five
minutes of time telling bow Yandell had
settled In Salamanca and devoted his great
genius to Its development Unlike moat
Americans the people loved bun; be became
rich and a power in the land. He set General
Clayton on his feet and bad always be
friended the son. But Tandell spoke his
mind too freely, the Vulture coveted his pos
sessions, and kidnaped him. 1
The fighting blood of generations flowed
through Dr. Humphreys' face as hs listened
to Clayton's plan of rescue. The boy's eyes
sparkled and his voice trembled, for be was
telling of the man be loved, so that the
woman he loved might hear of It and under
stand. " Doctor," he finished. " We can only get
Colonel Yandell out br force, a thunderstroke
of force. We have plenty of men. I came
here for rifles and machine guns. Never
mind how I got them, but I got the best"
"Then what are you doing here?" his
friend gave him a shove. "Wby are you
loafing around Marmion?"
At this Clayton smiled and confessed,
"Strategy, doctor, strategy. The Vulture
suspected my hurried visit and notified this
government to prevent a filibustering expe
dition. Detectives trailed me about New Or
leans, thinking I would lead them to our
ship. So I came home instead. and let some
body else do the loading. Now my vessel is ,
ready to sail, and I must go."
" Go on! Go on! Start right now."
The physician had become less patient
than himself, ready to do anything, when
Clayton broached the more delicate subject
"Doctor," he questioned earnestly; "yoo
understand why Pm hiding?" -
" Bound to hide. Quite right"
"And a private affair should not detain
me?" ' ' r '
" No, slrree; not a minute."
" Very well. Then I want yon to do some
thing for me." It had required a devious1
diplomacy to reach this point but Cbsyton
finally steered around to it "Doctor,
there's a difference between Mr. Raxilly and
myself"
" Between you and Florian? What about?"
' " It'ss too long a story. Please say to Mr.
Razllly that I shall notify him of the day
when I can come to New Orleans and place
myself at his service. Win yon remember
thatr
" Certainlju Pll ten Florian at supper."
, "No, doctor; wait for about ten days."
"And let folks be spreading lies on you?
Not by a Jug fun!"
" But, doctor, for Colonel YandcU's sake we
must keep this quiet After I reach Salam
anca you can give out my reasons for com
ing home, and why I left In such a hurry."
"Rely on me boy, rely on me. IT1 preach
your gospel.' But come to the house yourself
and teU that part of it to Major Stark." The
eager physician1 felt that now was the time
to let bygones be bygones, and kept Insist
ing, " Come on, Stuart; come on."
Young Clayton still held back, held back
against the seductive hope that he might
get a chance to speak with Adelaide.
" Come along, Stuart Make friends.
That's what your father would do."
' ." Yes, I know." While the son gazed to
wards Bennington and thought of a girl In
her light tan riding habit the memory of
Dr. Humphreys raced backward to this boy's
father when be wore a suit of confederate
gray. . , .
" Stuart" he pleaded, " it would make me
happy."
"But I've got to ride like the devil to
Vicksburg."
" Twont take two minutes."
Before Clayton realized it he had
clambered over the fence, and stood once
more within the Bennington enclosure. ,
"We'd better not go together," be sug- -gested
as the physician took his arm, "No
body must see me. You go in by the front
door, and let me come around to the side."
" Good! Ill bring Stark to my room." '
The doctor turned and hurried towards tbe
front where it seemed quite safe for Clay
ton also to enter; but he preferred to tread
the garden route, alone and free to talk with
Adelaide if he could find her. For years the
boy had looked back upon this rose garden
as a boundless domain of paths and mys
teries, peopled with fairies and Indians and
giants. Now it jarred upon his childish
recollection that the place should seem so
small, a mere miniature, yet all unchanged.
Nobody need point the path by which he
could reach Dr. Humphreys' room at the
northeast corner. It would be easy to dodge
from the gardenias to the myrtles, stoop be
hind a clump of Spanish daggers, thence to
the crimson rambler, and gain the little steps
that ld to the docUarn room. And before
starting Clayton peered around him, arch
ing amongst the shrubbery where he hoped,
by tbe favor of providence, in anion the Dot
Ur of her skirt But ntvvtdano Intended
that events should happen la another way.
, It always gave Uncle Nat the jimmies not
to know what was occurring to his Immedi
ate vicinity. Of course, Mr, Clayton must
have something powerful important to ten. or
be would not have taken Dr. Humphreys
plumb down to tbe fence, and suyed and
stayed, while Nat Wriggled od the front steps
with curiosity stewing bis inaklea, until he
saw Lr. Humphreys returning from the road.
Up sprang the Negri with tbe anxious ques
tion, " la be gooe, doctor? Is he got away r
But Dr. Humphreys did not answer; bs
only brought bis lips close to Nat's ear and
whispered:
"Where's the major?"
"Major's mighty nigh through wid his
bath."
Where's Miss Barbara? and Mrs. Rax
illy?" "Mrs. Resale's In her room. Yonder
Miss Barbara nigh de wharf, argufying wid
Mr. Raxsle."
All (our of the white people being definitely
located, tbe doctor said, "That's good! Go
and ask Major Stark to please come to my
room at once."
"Yaasuh, I'll fetch him."
Such unusual secrecy on tbe part of Dr.
Humphreys set Uncle Nat on fire. He won
dered wby tbe doctor should he so particular
to find out where everybody was, why be
marched into his room and locked the door,
he being a man who always left things wide
open. And the major nearly snapped Nat's
head off when be poked It into his room and
said, " Dr. Humphreys "sires to see you, sun."
Everybody had got mixed up la a tangle
ment and the Negro Itched to discover what
it was ail about But he couldn't even get a
peep into Dr. Humphreys' room, for the
blinds were drawn. So Uncle Nat sat down
on the steps and brooded over the curious
behavior of white folks until he forgot every
thing else, and paid no attention to an auto
which was then turning In at Bennington
gate. Had he looked he could have recog
nized Mr. Fatface at the wheel. But Nat
wasn't studying about Mr. Fatface, when he
could hardly sit still for wanting to know
what might be happening behind Dr. Hum
phrey's blinds. Maybe the doctor had forgot
ten to shut his north window, as nobody ever
passed along that ell of the gallery; and Nat
went sneaking around the bouse to take a
look. ,
: The door was closed, but the window be
side It stood open.. Huh! they warn't nigh
smart enough to hide things from him, and
company had no legal right to shut them
selves In like that - Soft footed as a cat he
crept up the steps. Not a board creaked as
he eased, along by the door, and had almost
reached the window when Dr. Humphreys
suddenly flung open his door, and shouted:
"Nat! O, Nat!"
" Yas, suh. Yas, sun." The startled negro
whirled, and began fumbling with some fish
ing tackle in the corner, while Dr. Humph
reys seemed even more surprised as he said:
"Ah! There you are."
" SutUnly, doctor, dls is me. I was seekin'
fer dat little pole o' yourn. You tote me to j
put on a new sinker."
. "Never mind the pole. Never mind the
pole. Run and get Major Stark quickly."
, " Suttinly, suh; goto' suh."
A strong shove gave Nat a running start,
yet even with the doctor looking at him be
squinted through the window as be passed,
and saw nothing. Then Dr. Humphreys
called after him in a low voice, "Oh, Nat,
Mr. Clayton wfll be In here; but dont say a
word about him to the major."
"Lawd Gawd! Mister Stuart in dn house?
No suh, I won't speak his name to de major.
Not me." .
Tnat'a what Dr. Humphreys had up his
sleeve, and the miracle of it filled tbe Negro's
mind as be went shuffling along the gallery
and turned the corner. He was so busy pon
dering over Mr. Stuart and tbe major com
ing together that he didn't look where he
was going, and never even saw an automo
bile that had halted at their steps. Mumbling
to himself, Nat got mighty nigh to tbe front
door, when he stopped and squatted and .
gasped, for Mr. Foxyjaw sprang from his
car and landed on Major Stark's gallery. Nat
broke into a run, butthe marshal halted
him with an abrupt order:
" Come here! "
" Meanin' me, suh? Suttinly, suh, sut
tinly." "Oho-" snapped Foxyjaw, his mustache
bristling and his gimlet eyes boring the
Negro through. "Oho! You're, the same
man who got my five dollars."
"Yas, suh, dat's me, suh."
Bad luck hsd dogged Nat's heels ever since
be first glimpsed those constables in their
automobile. No matter how hard be tried to
do right everything turned out wrong. After
taking so much trouble to keep away from
the detectives, and withstanding a tempta
tion to collect twenty dollars at tbe magnolia
tree, here came Mr. Foxyjaw himself Jump
ing right on top of him. Nat wesat think
ing about that white man, and never had a
dog's chance to think of anything when
Foxyjaw opened on him with hot shot:
" You got my five dollars! "
Then, of course, Nat had to say:
" Egzactly. suh, egsactty. I'm on my way
right now, suh, to see ef Mr. Clayton's dons
rived back home. Lemma git my bat, sub;
lemme git my bat"
"Stop!" Foxyjaw cut him short. "Were
caught cur man without your valuable a
sisianoe."
"Caught Mister Stuart aginT Hub?"
, "Sura," The detective made uo coneJ
aiU of triumph aa he nodded toward hie
car.
Up to this moment old Nat bed ba su
seen in watching for bis oppwlunUy te
dodge that ha hadn't looked at anybody es
eept Mr. ruiyjaw. Now be glanced In lb
car, gWnoad and gasrd with eye and mouth
popping open wider at what he aw. tm
th rear seat between two silent oirkwra,
sat a third man wearing the familiar ruling
breechea, the gray coat and the flop briminod
hat pulled low sbov his eye, but not low
enough to bide bs funny little mustache
and goatee,
"Ulster Stuart!" Nat groaned. '
That' him." said the detective. "BUp
lively now and tell Major Stark that the
United States marshal asks permUaton to
use bis telephone,"
" Unity BUtrs? Kgtactly, suh, eguctly."
Tbe bewildered Negro paused and stared
again at tbe prisoner, whosat all bumped
up as if hs dldnt want folks to be looking
at blm. Then Nat turned and went shuffllug
through th hallway as h proclaimed.
'O, major! O, doctor! Run here quick!
De Unity States constable la done grsbbed
Mister Stuart! I tole you so! I tole you so! "
The clamor of Nat's excitement brought
Barbara running through the rear door,
just ss her father stalked from his room
and came hobbling to tbe front where Mr.
Foxyjaw grimly Introduced himself. One
squint at bis badge convinced old Nat that
be must be aa extremely high constable,
"What can I do for you. air?" the major
inquired.
" I must call up New Orleans in a hurry."
"Help yourself, sir. Nat bring a light"
With a wave of his hand Major Stark Indi
cated th phone, upon a table outside of Dr.
Humphreys' door, which was a slatted door
like those used on steamboat for ventila
tion. A blind man could see that Major Stark
was mightily provoked, and Nat guessed
Mr. Razllly bad been telling talcs about tb
note. So tbe Negro's band trembled and
the lamp chimney Jingled as Nat placed a
light on the table, showing the tense face
of Miss Barbara, who listened while Mr.
Foxyjaw exulted In the capture of Stuart
Clayton.
- But what' has Mr. Clayton done?" she
demanded, then bushed for fear of rousing
her father, and the major himself blurted
out: .
" For what crime Is this fellow arrested?"
"W are not permitted to answer ques
tions," said Mr. Foxyjaw, smiling like a wise
' little weasel, who knew plenty of things
that he was keeping to himself. Then ho
volunteered that certain charges against
the defendant would be investigated before
th federal court at New Orleans.
"Is It a serious offense?" Barbara per
sisted, and her voice' wavered as she asked.
" Must be pretty bad, miss, or the govern
ment wouldn't be searching four states to
catch him.
"Where Is he now?"
"Out there in my car."
"May I speak to him?"
"You? Certainly not!" Her lather
wheeled upon her, thumping bis cane upon
the floor, and adding, "Barbara, this is no
affair of ours."
Having laid down the law, and, although
ho was bursting to hear. It was character
istic of tbe obstinate Major 8tark to pay no
tribute of a glance in tbe direction of th
automobile. And Unci Nat considered that
he hated to look towards a Clayton, or have
anything to do with a Clayton. By holding
his mouth tight sealed and letting off no
steam, tbe major stood swelling with wrath
as Mr. Foxyjaw put in his call for New Or
leans. In the equally determined Barbara these
family traits found wholly different expres
sion. She did not argue or contradict which
could only result In locking horns with her
father, and getting nowhere. She meant
to do something, and her jaw set firmly like
tbe major's ss she drifted to the doorway
and looked out upon the car. ,
Through the gathering dusk she could not
see the prisoner's face, only the lower part
of bis body, the well remembered leggings,
th riding breeches of Bedford cord. These,
and bis present attitude of dejection, recalled
the enigma over which she had puzzled sine
their first meeting beside the lake. Always '
he bad seemed uneasy, and constantly on
the alert She remembered when she spoke
of It being dangerous for him to tell her that
he was Stuart Clayton, on his way back to f
Salamanca, Now she remembered every '
word, and here was the result a guard of
four United States marshals. '
Barbara Stark could laugh at him when
be was most in earnest, she could taunt
him when she knew it hurt; she bad even
told a falaehood when terrified by' his
strength and overmastery. But now, with
every Instinct and every impulse, she ached
to help him. She moved out of the door and
nearer to the auto without considering what
might be done; only reUixing that aha
wanted to see him, to tell 'blm the truth
about who she was, and to say that aba
could never believe him guilty of any crime.
Beyond that, Barbara did not know what
she planned as ah crossed the gallery and
half descended the steps. Mr. Fatface on
th front seat sprang out immediately and
stood guard at tha ear door.
(Continued ?xt Sunday.)
Copyright, 1122.
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