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When Colonel Lauriston left Lida's room he went direct to his stable whence he dispatched a messenger to Old John Marley.

"Ride, boy," he commanded. "Ride like hell and tell Old John to come to me right away."

"Yes Suh," was the boy's response as he thrust his heels into the sides of his unsaddled mount. Old John was at home, sitting on his porch, fanning himself and puffing. The ride was a little better than two miles and both horse and boy were panting at the end of the trip.

"Mistah Lauriston done tole me to come and ast you to cum tuh him right away. Sump'n very 'portant's de mattah, Suh."

"It fuh-fuh-fuh-tuh must be important to send you on his favorite horse, gallivantin' across these sands at this time of day."

"Yes Suh— yes suh," was all the boy would say.

"All right. Go down to the barn and tell that lazy Sam to hitch up and bring my buggy here."

The boy lost no time executing the order and shortly Old John was easing his heft into the buggy.

"Fuh-fuh-fuh-fuh-tuh—watch out, when I get in," he cautioned his man. "Don't let the durned thing tip over."

The servant bore down as best he could to balance the vehicle till Old John was comfortably spread over the seat. He released his grip and handed the reins to his employer then stood aside hat in hand. Colonel Lauriston's mes-