Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Lovejoy had become suddenly pale, and he muttered anathemas to himself as Rush and Mrs. Hackett walked off toward the well, Pulling down the sweep, Rush lowered the bucket to the bottom ; ; then, grasping the rope, he let himself down into the dark depths, se- cured a white roll fastened with a rubber band and climbed up again. 3 Josh Hackett had joined his wife at the well curb, and the latter was giving him a tongue lashing for taking up with jail birds, 99) “totin’”’ them home and letting them loose in the bosom of his “fambly.” | Josh had nothing to say to her, but he sneaked around to Phil’s side like a whipped cur and began to make excuses for himself. He perhaps feared that he would be haled to court to answer for what he had done. “JT bear you no malice, Mr. Hackett,” said Rush. oner when you met me and my friend at the “It’s true you tried to screen the pris- door of your house, but I venture to say he had deceived you, and that you did not know what kind of a man he was.”’ “That’s jest what he done!” declared Josh. “I’m a law-abidin’ man myself, an’ can't bear ‘If d a-had the least idee the feller was a rascal, I’d have smashed him— them as ain't. yes, sir.’’ “Well,” went on Rush, “there is no doubt but that you could be brought to book for what you have done, but I’m going to set off your wife’s brave action against yours. You have her to thank for your freedom, Mr. Hackett.” pas _Therenpon Rush | gave a attention to the ae in oe hand, On removing he had two f pigs > 4 ~ a i. = 5." os . Ke ‘n ov ge ‘ eg sae’ <p ae + | “= ia 2 4 4 | . «YZ : - » oy ee we ‘ t « « * 2 7 = - an | Kiet he ; a DO AND DARE WEEKLY. shape out near the old Hadley place. ake te Se res si papers. The first was the letter for we he was searching, and read as follows: “Dr. LevertnG: There’s a man in bad He was thrown from his horse and has been un- conscious for several hours. If you do not give him immediate attention he may die. Will you come at once? The messenger will take you to the place. Amos ARDSLEY.” “Ardsley has signed it himself!” exclaimed Phil. better case than I thought.” “This gives Frances and her lover a The second document was the one that ‘made the chain of evidence complete. It ran thus: “Lovejoy: Your scheme is O. K. I've picked up a tramp here whom I| can depend on, and he will take a message to Levering, from me, that will get him out in the vicinity The Rushington Circus train, as [ understand it, of the old Hadley place at midnight. will not leave until one o'clock in the morn- ing. That will give you and your pal time to and then do the work after the show get away onthe train. The tramp will help you. He’s all right. Don’t let Levering get away, and be sure and get back the letter I send him by the hobo. I’ll be at Hadley’s at eleven tor the needed properties. My letter to Levering, and this one as well, I shall expect you to mail back to me at the first opportunity, and I shall withhold balance to be paid you until both are at hand. A.” “That clinches Levering’s case!” muttered Rush. ‘A’ only, but the handwriting 1s identical with “This second letter is signed with an the other letter; in this he says he has written the other, and the other is signed. These documents will certainly bring about the re- lease cof Levering, and Major Ardsley. will, have all he can do to ke ep ee going | to. iat ts oe | eee Se ly a LL S hee a ee ars nme ae eae hye f x J “ ~—i* \ Pee ie, i‘. 4) * > “ te *) Oe ae ee oe oe, Se -" eS rote Gee... * at