Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-01-20

1=<S<WEM was gone! His
@EM clear sight - no
by sentiment-had come back; he saw
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
personal revenge, it showed a confidence
and security in the would-be assassin
that bctOkencd cooperation and an
organized plan. He had availed him
self of the thunder storm, the flash and
long reverbCrating roll of sound-an
artifice 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 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
mile from the BOWS dwelling-which
was two miles away.
lie sat down and wrote a few lines to
Miss Dows 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-
err and the child, as they had both bet
ter remain at place of security until
he returned to town. lie gave the note
to Zoe, bidding her hasten by the back
garden across the fields. Then he
turned to Cato.
81 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
tally, but suddenly cast searching
glance at his employer. Courtland's
face, however, betrayed no change.
Hrn Zoe had gone, he continued.
TRANQUILITY: I'VE will go Icy the back
way through the wnoG:;." As the negro
started slightly, Cnurtland continued.
i'll the sam" even tone: "I'hc sulphur
You sr!c't Just now, Cato. was tue smoke
of Il gun fired at yuu from the street. |
don't propose that the shot shall he re-
pCated under the same advantages"
The negro became violently agitated
at was dat sneallin' hound Tom Hig-
bec," he said, huslily.
CORTLAND looked at him sharply.
'"Thcn there was something more than
words passed between him and you,
Cato. What happened? Come! speak
out!"
''IIe dashed me with his whip, and |
glib him one right under de yeah, and
drupped him." said Cato, recovering his |
courage with his anger at the recollec- |
ton. II had n right to defend myself.
sab"
YES, and hope you'll be able to do |
so now," said CORTLAND, calmly, his face |
giving no sign of his conviction that
Cato's fate was doomed by that single |
retaliating blow. But you'll be safer !.
at the quarters" He passed into his I
bedroom, took a 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 nOao; there must boOno
talking to betray our position-we must |
go silently, and you'll have enough to |
do to exercise your eyes and ears. |
shall stand between you and any at |
tack, but expect you to obey orders |