The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-14

head set there's no use in talkin' to me. discussed the thing with Brown an canvassed all the p'ints an by the way, you agreed to have him put in here"
 "Yes, for at that time believed Brown, as you call him, was honest but now do not and besides, at that time thought this man was crazy and now know he is not"
 "That's all very we'll, Mollie, but as l tell you, there's no use iu arguin' with me"
 They turned away and continued in the yard, then at one corner of the house, then at another and finally their voices mingled with the sounds of the barnyard
 Could it be that Hicks would keep me imprisoned merely as a source of revenue to himself? Somehow his amusing air prevented me from summing up a satis- factory estimate of his character. The humorous air, 1 have discovered, is a stumbling block in the way of character reading. A man can hide so much be- hind comical expres sion that his true nature cannot be seen. If at that time came to any definite conclusion with re- gard to Hicks, decided that there was within him thirst for gain not mild enough to be perfectly legitimate.
 "I fear that cannot much longer maintain this calm appearance" unused "l am likely to fly into passion at any moment and then Hicks point will be carried. Wonder how long he expects me to wait2 Wonder how much Brown has agreed te pay him2 Probably Mrs. Hicks will provide me with means of es- cape. With hammer and chisel can soon cut my way way out
 Vilsie came and sat down near the door.
 "Where are your mother and father ?" asked.
 They are walkin' round in the lot quarelin' about you. Pa is awful mad, an says that he will keep you here until he finds out all about you. They are comin' now"
 Hicks stopped at the door, but his wife passed on into the house.
 "Well, Brown"
 "My name is Barker, I tell you"
 "Well, Barker, have convinced my wife that it is better to keep you here until we hear from your bro-I mean until we hear from Brown. I'll get let ter from him in about three weeks from now. If don't hear from him by that time, why, I'll turn you out"
 "I think that understand you, Mir. Hicks. You want payment for one month's-"
 Board" he suggested. "Can't board you for nothin', you know"
 "Yes, l understand you perfectly. You know as well as do that l am not in- sane, and now that you have me here, you are determined to keep me rather than to lose the money which Brown has promised you. You do not seem to esti- mate the risk you are running. You are just as much of an outlaw as if you were to go out on the highway and rob people,"
 His amusing air vanished and then caught a glimpse of his true nature.
 " It wouldn't do for you to say that if you were on the outside. Vilsie, go into the house No, sir" he added when the child had obeyed him, it wouldn't do for you to step out here an say that"
 " lfyou'll open the door will gladly step out and say it."
 ooh, now, wouldn't you like to step out? You'd take to your heels too quick. guess, old feller, you'd better stay here while. You pear to forgit where you air. You air fifteen miles from the near est post-office an air way of the road. Nobody comes here, an it wouldn't make no difference if somebody was to come. could say that you was my crazy son. Brown promised to pay me we'll for keep in you, an if he sticks to his word, I'll stick to mine. Doyou understand p
 "Yes, you internal scoundrel, l do un- derstand, and l want you to understand something-that have friends even if have no near relatives, and that when do get out it won't be good for you."
 He grinned maliciously and turred away.
 CHAPTER XVIII. , During the next two days saw but little of the Hicks family. Vilsie came to the door once hut was ordered away