To the Sheriff of Mingo County,
Turner Court House, S. C.:Make every possible effort to capture Appleweight and any of his gang who are abroad in your county. Swear in all the deputies you need, and if friendliness of citizens to outlaws makes this impossible wire me immediately, and I will send militia. Any delay on your part will be visited with severest penalties. Answer immediately by telegraph.
Charles Osborne,
Governor of South Carolina.
"That's quite within the law," said Griswold, handing Barbara the message; "and we might as well put the thing through at a gallop. I'll get the telegraph company to hold open the line to Turner Court House until the sheriff answers."
As Barbara read the message he saw her pleasure in the quick compression of her lips, the glow in her cheeks, and then the bright glint of her bronze-brown eyes as she finished.
"That's exactly right. I didn't know just how to manage such a thing, but I see that that is the proper method."
"Yes; the sheriff must have his full opportunity to act."
"And what then, if the sheriff refuses to do anything?"
"Then—then"—and Griswold's jaw set firmly, and he straightened himself slightly before he added in a quiet tone—"then I'm going down there to take charge of the thing myself."
"Oh, that is too much! I didn't ask that; and I must refuse to let you take any such responsibility on yourself, to say nothing of the personal danger. I merely wanted your advice—as a lawyer, for the reason that I dared not risk father's name even among his best friends here. And your coming to the office this morning seemed so—so providential—"
He sought at once to minimize the value of his services, for he was not a man to place a woman under obligations, and, moreover, an opportunity like this, to uphold the dignity, and perhaps to exercise the power of a state, laid strong hold upon him. He knew little enough about the Appleweight case, but he felt from his slight knowledge that he was well within his rights in putting spurs to the sheriff of Mingo County. If the sheriff failed to respond in proper spirit and it became necessary to use the militia, he was conscious that serious complications might arise. He had not only a respect for law, but an ideal of civic courage and integrity, and the governor's inexplicable absence aroused his honest wrath. The idea that a mere girl should be forced to sustain the official honor and dignity of a cowardly father further angered him. And then he looked into her eyes and saw how grave they were, and how earnest and with what courage she met the situation; and the charm of her slender figure, that glint of gold in her hair, her slim, supple hands folded on the table—these things wrought in him a happiness that he had never known before, so that he laughed as he took the telegram from her.
"There must be no mistake, no failure," she said quietly.