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The Spoilers, i By REX E. BEACH. | Copyright. 1305, by Rex B. Bwd L? ' Ai ^ [Continued from page 2.J ? The teit. For her (tart, she saw nothlag except her brother vanishing slow I j into the shadows, as though stricken at her glance, the curtato* cleeing before his livid face, and then pandemonium broke loose at her feet. (jlenlster. holding h's enemies at t?r. bad retreated to the double doors leading to the theater. Ills coup bad been exocuted s?? quickly and with such lack of to irdl tliat the throng outside knew iiotliln? of It till they st'v a nan walk backward through the door. Ajj he <1h*. so he reached forth an I -lamned the wide wings shut liefve his face. ;!ien t ?n?J and dashed iu'o the press. I'udde the dance hai! !oi.d s.i\:i:N arose us the officers clattered (lev n the stairs anil made after their quarry. They tore the barrier apart ia time to see. far down the suloon. au eddyiug swirl as though some great flsh were lashing through the lily pads of a pond, and then the swinging doors closed behind G lento tec. Helen made her way from the theater as she had come. unobserved and unobaerving. but she walked In a dream. Kmotious had chased each other too closely tonight to be distinguishable, so she went mechanically through the narrow alley to Front S street and thence to her home. G lea later meanwhile had been swallowed ap b the darfcneae. the night enfolding hi a without sign or trace. Am he ran he considered what course " to foMow?whether to carry the calt to his comrades h> town or to make for the creek and Dextry. Tha vlgfl&ntaa might still distrust him, and yet be owed them waning. llcNamara's men were moving so swiftly that ac tion must be speedy to forestall tbem. Another bour and the net would bo dosed, "while It seemed tSat whichever course be cbose tbey would snare one or the other?either the frienda who remained in town or Dex and Slapjack out la the bills. Tilth daylight those two would return and walk unheeding into the trap, while if he bore tbe word to tbem first then the vigilantes would be jailed before dawn. Aa be drew near Cherry Maiotte's bouse be jf saw a light through tbe drawn cur.tains. A heavy raindrop plashed upon his face, another followed, and then be heard tbe patter of falling water increasing swiftly. Before he could gain the door the storm had broken. It swept up the street with tropical violence, while a breath sighed out of the night, lifting the litter from underfoot and pelting him with flying particles. Over the roofs the wind rushed with the rising moan of a hurricane, while tbe night grew suddenly noisy ahead of tbe tempest. He entered the door without knocking to find the girl removing her coat Her face gladdened at sight of him, but he checked her with quick and | cautious words, his speech almost drowned by the roar outside. "Are you alone?" She nodded, and be slipped the bolt behind him, saying: V "The marshals are after me. We Just had a 'run in* at the Northern, and I'm on the go. No?nothing serl ous yet, but they want the vigilantes, and I must get them word. Will you help me?" He rapidly recounted the row of the last ten minutes, while she nodded her quick understanding. "You're safe here for a little while," she told him, "for the storm will check them. If they should come, there's a back door leading out from the kitchen and a side entrance yonder. In my room you'll And a French window. They can't corner you very well." "Slapjack and Dex are out at the 8baftbouse ? you know ? that quartz claim on the mountain above the Mlda*" He hesitated. "Will you lend me your saddle horse? It's a black night, and I may kill him." "What about these men in town?" 'Til warn them first, then hit for the hllla." She shook her bead. "You can't do It. You can't get out there before daylight if you wait to rouse these people, and McNamara has probably tele phoned the mines to send a party Vy to the quart* claim after Dex. Ha knows where the old man is as well as you do, and they'll raid him before _ dawn." * "I'm afraid so. but it's all I can of' fer. Will you give me the horse?" "No! He's only a pony, and you'd founder him lii the tundra. The mud Is knee deep. I'll go myself." "Good heavens, girl, in such a night! . \ Why, it's worth your life! Listen to it! The creeks will be up and you'll "V^ave to swim. No, I can't let you." "He's a good little horse, and he'll take me through." men coming ciose she continued: "Oh. boy! Can't you see that I want to help? Can't you see that I?I'd die for you if it would do any good?" He gazed gravely into her wide blue eyes and said awkwardly: "Yes, I know. I'm sorry things are?as they are?but you wouldn't have me lie to you, little woman?" "No. You're the only true man I ever knew. I guess that's why I love you. And I do love you. oh, so much! I want to be good and worthy to lowe you too." She laid her face against his arm and caressed him with clinging tenderness, / f while the w nd yelled loudly a bout the eaves and the windows drammed beneath the rain. His heavy brows knit themselves together as she whispered: * 1 !"? ? I l.u-a v/*i? * 1 lara I n??i- JUU. I .w,,r | you!" with such tin ngouy of longing in her voice that her soft accents were | sharply distinguishable above the tur- I moll. The growing wildness seemed i a part of the woman's passion, which whipped and harried ber like a willow In a blast. "Things are fearfully Jumbled," he said Anally. ' And this is a bad time to talk about them. I wlah they might be different. No other girl wonld do what yon have offered tonight." "Then why do yon think of that woman?" she broke in fiercely. "She's bad aod false. She betrayed you once; she's In the play now: you've told me so yourself. Why don't you be a man and forget her?" , "I can't." he aald *+mply. "You're wrong, though, when you think she's ? I /??! a?li ikot whn'u i I'ttU. t IUUIIU (UUtgUl IUOI ouc 9 gwu and brave and honest. The part she played wm played lnnix-ently. I'm sure ?>f that, lu spite of the fact that she'll marry McNamara. It was she who heard them plotting and risked her reputation to warn me." Cherry's face whitened, while the shadowy eagerness that had rested there died utterly. "She came Into that dive aloue? She did that?" He nodded, at which she stood thinking for eome time, then continued: "You're honest with tue, Iloy, and I'll be the same with you. I'm tired of deceit, tired of everything. I tried to make you think she was bad, but in my own heart I knew differently all the time. She enme here today and humbled herself to get the truth, humbled herself to me. and I sent her away. She suspected. but she didn't ku >w. and when she a:.kc?! fo:* lufiruiatlon I Insulted her. Thrt'3 the kfn.l of a creature I am. I se:;t b;?r ha-.-k t > Strove, who offered to tell i:et the whole story." "What do*4* lii.it reuogade want?" '^Can't yon gtiess?" "Why. I'd rather"? The young man ground his teeth, but Cherry hastened. "You ueedn't worry; she won't see him aralu. She loathes the ground he | walks on." "And jet lie's uo worse than that other scoundrel. Come. girl, we have work te do; we muat act. and act QUtckly." He gave her his message to Dextrj, then she went to ber room and slipped into a riding faaNt. When she came act be asked: "Where Is your raincoat? You'll be drenched In no time." "I can't ride with it. I'll be thrown, anyway, and I don't want to be all bound op. Water won't hurt me." She throat ber tiny revolver Into ber drees, but he took It and upon examination shook his hesd. "If you need gun yon'H need a good one." He removed the belt from bis qwn waist and buckled his Colts about her. ''But youT' she objected. "I'll get another In ten minutes." -? -- ? I 1-- k. MM. i oen as uivy wcic mimg, uc w>?. "One other request. Cherry. I'll be In hiding for a time, and I moat get word to Miss Chester to keep watch of her uncle, for the big fight la on at last and the boys will hang him sure If they catch him. I owe her this last warning. Will you send it to her?" "I'll do It for yonr sake, not for her, no, no; I don't mean that I'll do the right thing all round. Leave It here anil I'll see that she gets it tomorrow. And. Roy, be careful of yourself." Her eyes were starry and In their depths lurked neither selfishness nor jealousy now. only that mysterious glory of a woman who makes sacrifice. Together they scurried back to the stable, and yet, In that short distance, she would have been swept from her feet had he not seized her. They blew In through the barn door, etreamlng and soaked by the blinding sheets that drove scythelike ahead of the wind He struck a light, and the pony whinnied at recognition of his mistress. She stroked the little fellow's muzzle while Glenlster cinched on her saddle. Then when she was at last mounted, she leaned forward: "Will you kiss me once, Roy, for the last time?" He took her rain wet face between his hands and kissed her upon the lips as he would have saluted a little maid. As he did so, unseen by both of them, a face was pressed for an instant against the pane of glass In the stable wall. "You're a brave girl and may God t-1 ? V- 1J (ho UIPS8 yUU, uo eaiu, cjk tujftuioiiiuft v"v light. He flung the door wide and she rode out Into the storm. Locking the portal, he plunged back toward the house to write his hurried note, for there was much to do and scant time for its accomplishment, despite the helping hand of the hurricane. He heard the voice of Bering as It thundered on the golden sands, and knew that the first great storm of the fall had come. Henceforth be saw that ha vlnlon(>o nf man wniilrl rival the rising elements, for the deeds of this night would stir their passions as Aeolus was rousing the hate of the sea. He neglected to bolt the house door as he entered, but flung off his dripping coat and, seizing pad and pencil, scrawled his message. The wind screamed about the cabin, the lamp flared smoklly and Glenlster felt a draft suck past him as though from an open v'oor at his back as he wrote: I can' do anything more. The end has con:?, and It has brought the hatred and bloc ished that I have been trying to preven I played the game according to you. rules, but they forced me back to first principles In spite of myself, and now I don't know what the finish will be. Tomorrow will tell. Take care of your uncle, and If you should wish to communicate with me, go to Cherry Malotte. She Is a friend to both of us. Always your servant, ROY GLENISTER. As he sealed this he paused, while he felt the hair on his neck rise and bristle and a chill race up his spine. His heart fluttered, then pounded onward thl the blood tliumpe t ills ear drums and lie foil way- i ing ia rhythm to its bt jsoles i of his baek cringed an. i at the- < proximity of some hove. peril, and yet au irresistible feeling forbade him I to turn. A sound e?me from close be- 1 hind his chair?the drip, drip, drip of i water. It was not from the eaves, nor 1 yet from a faulty shingle. His baek < rr-aa -'""""the L-it.il(x>r. thrOUifll whil'h I bt .ad . on"** and. although there wereno mfrrt '? Wore biiu. he felt a menacing pr?* nee as surely as though k had touch'* d him. His ears were tuned, to the flu' - pin pricks of sound. so> thst he -ard the faint, sighing. "?qni?h" of . sodden shoe upon which; a we:v?ht had shifted. Still something'I cbalt::>d him to his sent. It was a* thi V.? hid i restraining hand! up ?o h:s body, waiting f ?r the Instant. lie f ?t ft!*-liar J seek ; h'p earelessiIt. h 't r?.ne:nlwre?l " hero Ids gun w?wl Mechanically he add-essed the note ia shrhltig churaciers. wliiio behind hits v -jonded the constant drip, drip, dr1that he knew came from saturate., -a :.:c.:ts. For :t lotjg n.omeot he sat. ?!ll he. herd the j'c by click of a gim?wk j u file J by ger preoaure. Then he * t his far ul slowly turned to fn 1 Vp Hm eld standing behind him as though n from the sea. bis light clothes wei .. clinging, hi? feet eerier?J <b a spreading puddle. The dim light showed the convulsive fury ?>f his features al>ove the leveled v.eepon, whose hammer was curled hack like the h^ad of a striking adder. J - . LI. * f1n? t ins eyes gieammg wiui 1am/. uicuister's mooth was povsdet dry, bat bis ' mtnd was leaping riotously like dust l>?fore a gale, for lie divined btmaelf to be In tbe deadliest peril of his life. When he spoke tbe calmness of fets rolce surprised himself. "What's the mutter. Bronco?" The Kid made no reply, and Roy repeated, "What do you want?' "That's a hell of a question," the gambler said hoarsely. "I want you. of course, and I've got you." "Hoi 1 up! I am unarmed. This Is your third try. and I want to know what's back of It." "Damn the talk!" cried tbe faro dealer, moving closer till the light shone en his features, which commenced to twitch. He raised tbe revolver he had half lowered. "There's reason enough, and yon know It." Gienleter looked him fairly between tbe eyes, gripping himself with firm hands to step the tremor be felt Id his bones. "You can't kill me," be said. "I am too good a man to murder. Yon might sheot a crook, but you can't kill "You can't kill me," he tald. "1 am too good a man to murder." a brave man wbea he's unarmed. You're uo assassin." He remained rigid In bis cbalr, however, moving nothing but bis lips, meeting the other's look unflinchingly. The Kid hesitated an instant, while his eyes, which had been fixed with the glare of hatred, wavered a moment, betraying the falnfoct a I am nt lmliw<lalnn OlpnlRfpr I W,DU v" ? I cried out exultantly: "Ha! I knew It. Your neck corda , quiver." ! The gambler grimaced. "I can't do It. If I could, I'd have shot you be- ; fore you turned. But you'll have to , tight, you dog. Get up and draw." t Roy refused. "I gave Cherry my gun." , "Yes, and more, too," the man gritted. "I saw It all." , Even yet Glenlster had made no , slightest move, realizing that a feath- ? er's weight might snap the gambler's nervous tension and bring the lnvolun- . tary twitch that would put him ont , swifter than a whip Is cracked. "I have tried It before, but murder Isn't my game." The Kid's eye caught the glint of Cherry's revolver where ' she bad discarded It "There's a gun. . Get It!" "It's no good. You'd carry the six * bullets and never feel them. I don't know what this is all about, but I'll tight you whenever I'm heeled right." "Oh, yon black hearted honndl" : snarled the Kid. "I want to shoot, but ! I*m afraid. I used to bs a gentleman, l and I haven't lost It all, I guess. But j I won't wait the next time. I'll down t you on sight, so you'd better get ironed In a hurry." He backed out g f the room into the semidarkness of j the kitchen, watching with lynxlike j closeness the man who sat so .quietly r under the shaded light. He felt be- f hind him for the outer doorknob and g turned It to let In a white sheet of <] rain, then vanished like a storm j, wraith, leaving a parched lipped man r\ and a zigzag trail of water, which t gleamed in the lamplight like a pool t of blood. f CHAPTER XVIII. y GLENISTEIi did not wait long t after his visitor's departure, i; but extinguished the light, h locked the door and began y the further adventures of this night. ~ The storm welcomed him with suffocating violence, sucking the very breath from his lips, while the rain beat through till his flesh was cold and aching. He thought with a pang b of the girl facing tfcls tempest, going c out to meet the thousand perils of the ? night. And it remained fof him to 1 bear his part as she bore hers, smilingly. _ _ ' 1 1 Tlx* last Inur had added another am mysterious danger to his fuli mens ire. Could the Kid lie- jealous ol 1'herry? Surely not. Then-what else' The tornado nan driven, dis miner; :o cover, evidently, for the street; vere given over to Its violence, am [Joy encountered no hostile sign as hi vaa buffeted from house to house. Hi idventured cautiously and yet wit! Haste, finding certain homes when he marshals had been before hlir peopled now only by frightened wlvei ind children. A scattered few of th? rlgllantw had been taken: thus. wh!l< :he warring elements had preventei :helr families from spreading th< ilarm or venturing out for succor Ftaose whom be was able to wart Iresseil hurriedly. took-tSwir rifles- am! vent out lnb> the drlftlfcig night. Hear ng etnpty cabins and weeping women I'be- great fight was on. Toward daylight the remnant*. ? he vigilantes straggled Into the bl| dank warehouse- on the sandsplt act here beneath the smoking glare- w anterus curbed the name of McNa nara. As dawu grayed the ragget wstern skyline, Dextry and Stapjncl >lew In through the spindrift, bringing word from Cherry and lifting a lo?< 'rom Glenlstert mind. "There'* u game rfrt," ??1<1 the ok niner a* he wrong out hi* clothes 'She was half gone when she got t< is, and now she'* waiting for the atom :o break so that she can cotne back." "It's clearing up to the enat." Slap ack chattered. "D'ynn know I'm get In' ao rheumatic tirot ice water doc' 'eel comfortable to ire no more." "Urlaflc acid In the bI:x>J," said Dex rr. "What'* our next move?" b< iskcd of his partner. "When do w< lang this politician? Seems like we'v< rot enough ablebodled piano moveri lere t > tie a can on to the whole outfit >u<h the towu site of Nome off tlx nan aud Rtart afreeb." "1 think we had better lie low ant watch developments," the other cat lonod. "There's no telling what maj urn up doijkig the day." "That's right Stranglers Is like apir ts?they work best la the dark." As the da\ grew the storm died, leav ng ramparts of clouds banging snilen y above the ocean's rim. while tbosi ' "'-J I IftUini IU wcaiurr wyucx/ iwivww :be coming of the equinoctial. In Mc Samara's office there was great etli md the coming of many men. Tb< >os# aat In, his chair, smoking eonntlesi .'igars. bi^blg face aat in grim lines lis bard eyes peering..through the pal >f bine at those he questioned. H< worked the wire* of his machine unti lis dolls doubled and danced and twist >d at bis toocb. After a gusty Inter dew be bad dismissed Voorbeee wKl i merciless tongue lashing, raging bit erly at the man's failure. "You're not fit to herd sheep. Thirtj mer out all night and what do yot pet? A dosen mullet headed miners VTou bag the mudbens and the bli pa me runs to cover. I wanted G ten is ter, but you let hhn slip through you: Angers?now It's war. What a meet rou've made! If I Ifid even pne belpei with a brain the size of a flaxseed, thb fame would be a gift bat you're bun fled every move from the start. Bah Put a spy In the boll pen with thoe< prisoners and make them talk. Of ?er tbem anything for information Mow get out!" He called for a certain deputy ant questioned blm regarding the night'i quest, remarking Anally: "There's treachery somewhere. Thoe< uen were warned." "Nobody came near Glenister's bous< jxcept Miss Chester," the man replied "What?" "The Judge's niece. We caught hei ly mistake in the dark." Later, one of the men who had beer with Voorheos at the Northern askec to sec the receiver and told him: "The chief won't believe that I sav Miss Chester in the dance ball lasi light, but she was there with Glenis :er. She must have put him wise tc >ur game or he wouldn't have knowi we were after him." His hearer made no comment, bul when alone ro?e and paced the flooi with heavy tread while his face grev, savage ana brutal. "So that's the game, eh? It's mar :o man from now on. Very well. Glen ster, I'll have your life for that, and hen?you'll pay. Miss Helen.'" He considered carefully. A plot for a dot. If he could not swap Intrigue vlth these miners and beat them bad y, he deserved to lose. Now that the ftrl gave herself to their cause, he vould use her agaJn and see bow well the answered. Public opinion would lot stand too great a strain, and albough be had acted within his rights ast night, he dared not go much furher. Diplomacy therefore must serve, le must force his enemies beyond the aw and Into his trap. She had passed he word once. She would do so again. He hurried to Stillmau's house and itormed into the presence of the Judge, le told the story so artfully that the udge's astonished unbelief yielded to age and cowardice, aud he sent for lis niece. She came down, white aud illent, haviug heard the loud voices. The old man berated her with shrewsh fury, while McNauiara stojd silent. Hie girl listened with e itire s;-??" conrol until her uncle made a reference o Gleuister that she found iiitoirra: le. "Hush! I will not listen!" she cried lassionafely. "I warned him law f jo ou would have saerilieed h': i ni'ier !i iad saved our lives. That i< i. lie s au honest man. an 1 I am g*it.?f ;I to ilm. That is the only foun ;! ti^-i oour iiiat'lt." [Continued next week.] NoticeOn Tuesday, May 12, at 12 m. the ioard of county commissioners will reeive bids, at their office to put in ement floors in clerk of court and audtor's offices,also to recover jai). S J SlNGLETAKY, 4-16-4t County Supervisor. t 1 r 4* ? O A New Orleans ) ^ Because she di i nourishment from 1 Q*Aa? *^e took Scott's ; M% Result: | I yj$ She gained s pouni ] ML DRUGCJ ? ' I I Hereafter we positively refuse to publish any communication received at this office later than Tuesday, noon,, except lo- j cal a?d personal items, which ! willjaot be available later than i Wednesday, noon, for the cur-! rent week. By trying to be ac* \ commodating we are thrown late every week and we are tired ol it. This notice applies tot EVERY BODY. 4-25-tf. FOB SALE Brick in Any quantity to suit purehar * er. The Beat Dry Press Machine-made ABEICZLy - Special shapes made to order, t'orre? poridenc? solicited betore placing your j orders. W. R. FUNK. ? i ' Sour ' Stomach No apyatita, Ion ol UnAiy? ow. hoadacha, contipatfta. had Waatfk ' (onsral dobtRty, aour riatafa, and catarrh of tha stomach ara all dwa to Irvflyafon. . Kadol rakevaalndlfaatioB. Thla narrAooor. . ory rnprannti tha natural fuion of d%a? k tloo as tbey.aiiat In a haakhy taimach, : combined with tha fraatoat knew* toaia 1 and raconatfuetira propertfca. Kodo I for - dyapnaia don not onto raQava IndtfaaHaa r and dyapapala, but tab famous raaaad) i hates ail stomach todbhi by utnadss , pumylnf, awaataalnf and atranfthacdnf tha mucous membranes ftafof tha Stomach. i - ru.U^? A&AS i Ratal n*4 a* ?d ? era amr adaf la a? , tar to** 1 P*t? UMMM?VUK KIDIITS TOY . ItoHIWBBIIWaadlUDPCIwm-towdato 1 Pnpandhf I. a oawiTT A 00., Ohia^a For Sale by WL Wallace. Don't Wait! TILL YOUR PROPERTY IS DESTROYED, BUT INSURE NOW, 1 Against Loss ' I n.. ri__ __ oy nre ur ujuuiic, f If you want the best, fret your ? Insurance in a strong "Old ] Line" company. 1 represent several of the largest Fire and r Cyclone Insurance Companies. L. H. FAfREY * At Bank of Kingstree. 7-24?tf. r t ~ " Always That I can save ' Remember you money on ; SASH, DOORS AND DLINDS AND OTHER : BUILDING MATERIALS. | Wholesale Prices Direct from Factory. Everything Guaranteed to come up to Specifications. D. J. EPPS, Kingstree, S. C. | Representing Cheraw Door & Sasb Co. | THE BEST PAINT I r Applied by skilled mechanics J ( is worth a fair price. Cheap J P mixtures slopped on by cheap j r painters are dear at any price. J r We expect to receive a reason- j r able equivalent for onr labor. J f But we give an honest dollar's r r nrnrfk fnr pvprv Hnllar we set. r f and we endeavor to permanent- } r ly satisfy our customers. ) ALFRED' WELLS, ) Painter and Paper HaDger, ) I KINGSTREE, S. U. i f Leave orders with V j Kingstree Hardware Co. j | \ . : ' - ... a woman was thin. 9 Emulsion. a d a day in weight. J UTS: SOe. AND ttOO X 3 " T BUILDING DONE At Your Own Price. C. E. HARRIS, General Contractor and Builder - - * Greelyville, South Carolina 116-tf " Kingstree CAMP NO- 27. ff^il?t ul 8rdMoa4*y yrHB^M.| Mlyhto ln^ (Mk VUlttn* chooDtii cotdlallym vttedtoeoraar vr* UP (lt0D * v.' or^hiang about ao ttM PHILIP STOLL, 9 27 13m. Coo. Com. ?.. Registration Notice. Theoffice of the Supervisor of istration will be opened on tha first Monday in every month for the parpose of the registering of any person who is qualified as follows: Who shall have been a resident of the State for two years, and of tha county one year, and of the polling precinct in wnich the elector offers to vote four months before the day of election, and shall have paid, six months before, any poU tax then dae and payable, and who can both read and write any section of the constitution of 1896 submitted to him by tha Supervisors of Registration, or who can show that be owns, and has paid all taxes collectable on daring the present year, pioperty in this State assessed at three hundred dollars or more. J. Y. McGILL, ( Jerk of Board. ' It m ^ ? Read the Farmers k Merchaitf Bank's ad. this issie. / I w l ?H H IH i H I' I PROCUREP ARP PtrCWPgP..fcad??m drawing or photo, (or expert Mr eh sod free report m* adrtoe, how to obtain patectt, trade merit* eopjrtght* efcv, IN ALL COUNTRIES. V Business (Brrct with Washington salts thne.U money and often the patent. & PitMt and lafrinpmant Practice Excluaivtly. I Wrtte or oome to ue at C SU Bath ttreet, epp. TTmlted ttatw Fataat 0*ce,H _ WARHINOTON. P. C. J BvwjvynnvM I ? bBB ^ B k / > | ^Insurance, f ! Fire Insurance, Tornado Insurance, Plate Glass Insurance Life Insurance, I Health Insurance, Accident Insurance, Burglary Insurance. We represent only j Companies of unquestioned) reliability^and I a policy is as good as 1 a gold bond. 1 II wii I Bond You.. As Cashier, Treasurer or any position of trust in any of the largest companies in America. The WilllamsDiirfl Insurance & Bondi Ing Agency, OFFICE OVER L STACKLEY'8 STORE, j Kingstree, - S. C.