People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-07-07


everything in its just proportion his
duty to the plantation, the HELPLESS
freedman threatened by lawless fury;
the two women-no longer his one
tantalizing vision, but only a passing
detail of the work before him. He saw
them now through no alternating mist
Of tenderness nor expediency-but with
the single directness of the man of
action.
The shot had clearly been intended
for Cato. Even if it were an act of mere
sonalrevenge, it showed a confidence
and security in the would-be assassin
that betokened cooperation and an
organized plan. He had availed him
self of the thunder storm, the fash and
long reverberating roll of sound-an
artifce not unknown to border ambush
to confuse discovery at the instant.
Yet the attack might be only an
isolated one; or it might be the begin
ming of a general raid upon the syndi-
Gates freedmen. If the former, he
could protect Cato from its repetition
by guarding him in the Office until he
could be conveyed to a place of safety:
if the latter, he must at once collect
the negroes at their quarters, and take
Cato with him. He resolved upon the
latter course. The quarters were half
a mile from the Bows dwelling-which
was two miles away.
He sat down and wrote few lines to
Miss Bows stating that in view of some
threatened disturbances in the town, he
thought it advisable to keep the negroes
in their quarters, whittier he was him
self going. He sent her his housekeep-
er and the child, as they had both bet
ter remain at a place of security until
he returned to town. He gave the note
to Zoe, bidding her hasten by the back
garden across the fields. Then he
turned to Cato.
Il am going with you to the quarters
tonight" he said, quietly, "and you
can carry your pistol back to the arm
DRY yourself" He handed him the
weapon. The negro received it CRATE
fully, but suddenly cast a searching
glance at his employer Courtland's
face, however, betrayed no change.
When Zoe had gone, he continued,
TRANQUILITY; I'VE will go by the back
way through the woods" As the negro
started slightly, CORTLAND continued,
in the same even tone: THE sulphur
you smelt just now, Cato, was the smoke
of a gun fired at you from the street. 1
don't propose that the shot shall be re-
peated under the same advantages.
The negro became violently agitated.
ut was dat sneakin' hound Tom Hig-
bee" he said, huskily.
CORTLAND looked at him sharply.
"Then there was something more than
words passed between him and you,
Cato. What happened? Come! speak
out"
HE lashed me with his whip, and l
glib him one right under de yeah, and
drupped him." said Cato, recovering his
courage with his anger at the recollec-
ton. Il had a right to defend myself.
sab"
"Yes, and hope you'll be able to do
so now" said CORTLAND, calml !, his face
giving no sign of his conviction that
Cato's fate was doomed by that single
retaiating blow. But you'll be safer
at the quarters" He passed into his
bedroom, took revolver from his bed
head and derringer from the drawer.
both of which he quickly slipped be-
meath his buttoned coat and returned.
when we are in the fields, clear of
the house, keep close by my side, and
even try to keep step with me. What you
have to say, say nOIr; there must be no
talking to betray our position-wemu
60 silently and you'll have enough to
do to exercise your eyes and ears. l
shall stand between you and any at
tack, but | expect you to obey orders
without hesitation" He opened the
back door, motioned to Cato to pass out.
followed him, locked the door behind
them and taking the negro's arm
walked beside the low palings to the
end of the garden, where they climbed
the fence and stood upon the open field
beyond.
Unfortunately, it had grown lighter
with the breaking of the heavy clouds,
and husty CLEANS of moonlight chased
each other over the field, or struck a
glitter from standing rain pools be-