Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-10-18

"Yes, Marse John, Use purity fair Mig
ger ter work when likes de business.
"You certainly must like war, then"
"Jes tollable, tollnble, Marse John"
"What about the hOrsesF
When | was gwihe up de pat dat go ia
de place whar Miss Lille is, / heerd de |
tinklin' ov bell TO de lef' in de brush, an |
l jes went out fer ter see about de matter. |
As specs, bosses was dere, an dey comes
handy sometimes, yer know. Well, Ifoun'
de bosses, Marse John, an lots OBJ dem.
Mebbe we kin use some oh dose animals
dis ebenin'."
That is what / think, jeff. But how
does it come that you are so well posted,
and know right where everything ISL"
Use been heah befo'. Marse John, eff yer
disremember correclv.'
That's true, so you have; and it seems
that you improved your time, too"
Use a no count plantation Niger. Marse
John, but Use some dapted for wah, an L
spec de reason am dat l Spite de debbil
an udder bushwhackers.
When the sun was pretty well up per-
son was seen carrying something from
camp toward the hill beyond which were
the captives The watchers supposed it was
food for them.
An hour or more later they saw another
one of the campers going in the same direc-
ton. They were not positive at that dis
lance, but they believed it to be Edom
Woodsley. He walked slowly, and the two
men watched him closely until his head
sank beyond the hin.
1t is worth our while to follow this indi-
vidual, for our friends were correct in
thinking the person to be Woodsley II
seemed that he was not in as healthy con-
dition as he desired. His wound had in
famed. and without proper care was not
doing as we'll as he could wish He was not
in the best of spirits as he unlocked the
door of the rough log prison that held his
lovely captive.
Lille was sitting by one of the small
loop-holes that answered for windows,
watching the birds fitting about in the
neighboring trees. Her spirits had re-
yived since hearing that friends were near
and she was appearing her own self again
when Edom Woodsley entered
AS she saw who the intruder was she rose
abruptly, and her eyes flashed as he came
toward her.
"Good morning Miss Lille. trust I
find you well, he said as he reached out his
left hand.
"You will excuse me for not offering YOU
my right hand but that hand appears to be
too 'shaky' now" And he tried to laugh at
the weak pun.
Il wish you would not impose your hate
full presence upon me, when you know how
distasteful it u.s., !" she said, without paying
any attention to the outstretched hand.
80, my little beauty, you will like me
when you know me BETTER" he signif-
cantly remarked
God knows, | wish | had never known
you. Your wickedness has made all my
misery"
hofa 1n. kr, IL
you that you have had. You have attempt
ed the life of one that loves you. Lille Ed
dies, but even that will be forgiven if you
will but"
Hush! Do not insult me again, and
when l am unprotected. could never even
call one friend who has thus warred on the
defenseless."
"You have not always been so defense
less, it seems" And he pointed to his
wound.
"Ah! But 1 wish l had that weapon with
me whenever coward offers an insult" :
1T is useless to prolong this il-feeling
Let us be friends and then we can under
stand each other. L am either a gentleman
or devil. and you have the power to say
which l shall be in the future"
"Well, I'll say be man, then, and be
gentleman--if you can" she answered
tartly.
Then you will forgive all?" he asked.
"Yes, all"
And love me, Lillie?"
"Never!"
"You must! You SHALL" he wildly ex-
claimed.
Il never can, and never will, she firmly
replied.
Lille Eddles," he exclaimed, you will
marry me, or l will cut your proud heart
fr, k,ao cal L. ILL j..
l will use other means, for you can never
live to be anothers. | will feed your pretty
carcass to the buzzards first"
You can murder me, Edom Woodsley,
but you can never call me wife, she I'M
fiinchingly answered.
"You will be my wife before to- morrow
night or your life will close. 1t is I or
death; take your choice!"
Death is preferable, she careIessly re-
piled
Il will return again tomorrow and re-
ceive your final answer. If you do not con.
sent to become my wife, so sure as there is
q God in heaven you will never live to love
another" And he swung his left hand above
his head, and his thin lips closed tightly
together.
Lille felt convinced that he intended to
do as he said, but she did not despair. She
knew friends were near, and the hope Of
escape gave her sustaining>courage
He turned about when he ceased speak
ing and opened the door and looked back.
Remember, tomorrow brings happi-
ness or DEATH"
Lille degned no reply to this, and he
passed out.
When he had gone sense of great relief
came over her. She knew she was in danger
of losing her life if she was not rescued be-
eor ID fr,r II;
that Woodsley would do as he said-mur-
der her unless she complied with his de-
mands; and she firmly determined never to
do that.
CHAPTER XII
MYSTERIOUS RECOGNITION.
Time passed slowly to the two men in the