Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-13
er bapgdog look. either passii the road

"If such q man has passed, have not
seen him." Rob said, facing the official,
though her heart was humping fast.
"Aunt Phemy can answer for herself.
But, if you must search the place, please
do not 20 near the house. If pappy
knew, it would make him SO: unhap-
py"-
"He shan't be bothered, depend on
that" the deputy said, smiling down
at her. The other men had come up to
him, their long mustaches beaded at the
ends with fair water. Aunt Phemy
stood with eyes downcast. She had the
African instinct Of secrecy and had In
stsntly caught Rob's cue.
"''Tain't nobody went erlong dis way
as I seed," she said; then, dropping a
sort Of courtesy: II hear Sis Liza an
Aun' Why johnson say las night as
dee coined home frum pra'ar meetin
dee gut er skeer frum some sort er crit.
ter. Dee lowed it wus er han't, dar on
de hill by Topmark's grabeyard- 1t wus
long an high, dee gay, an groan so dee
sho' thunk it wus ole man Topmark
done come back case or de way he son
Ben oarryin on sence he los he wife.
"Oh, no, hol Beg your pard'n, Miss
Rob, but that's jest too rich!" the dep
uty said, laughing explosively. he had
heard-who had not?-of Topmark's in
fatuation. If Rob became Mrs. Top
mark No. 3, her influence would be a
thing to covet, for Topmark certainly
carried the district in his pocket when
it came to local elections. The whites
divided always on lines of social or per-
sonal cleavage. 1t was the black votes
which really told for fellow or against
him, and the storekeeper swung the
black vote as he pleased.
Not in set words, but dimly and afar
off, all this rushed through the officials
mind. He had good reason for not
wanting Miss Rob McGregor to remem.
ber him as rude and pestilent fellow.
Now, no doubt on her fathers account,
she was anxious to have the posse 90 in
some other direction. So much he read
shrewdly underneath her smiling cour-
tesy, and she should have her way. There
was certainly small likelihood that the
man they hunted lay hid at Roscoe, for
all it had 80 much tangled scrub. Any
way the chance was too remote to be
worth making her an enemy. Facing
about, he said to his followers, speak
ing low and rapidly: 81 think I've got
a olew. Well ride fer the big meadders
an not spare our stock. Good day, Miss
Robl You be right easy erbout your
par. Eff we had ter chase the feller past
your gate, they shouldn't nobody make
noise ernough ter let him know what
was lip. Now, rid" Lard, boys, Poor
wretchl I've nothin ag'in him, but it's
our juty ter ketch him eff only we kin. I"
AS they clattered noisily away Rob
stepped inside the cabin. The convict
had flung off his woman's garb and sat
with burning eyes in face as white as
death. His jagged brow was beaded
with cold sweat. At sight Of the girl he
put his hands upon his breast and said,
speaking as though the words came from
desert dryness:
"They're after me. I'm horse thief,
like they said. More, I helped steal
your Lightlady. I'm willin ter die fer
it eff only I kin gee Betty one more
time"
"Hushl' Rob said imperatively.
"Tell US nothing about yourself, except
where you want to 20 and what we can
do to help you.'
"You didn't hear mayby. Oh, you
couldn't! I said helped ter STEAL" he
began monotonously.
Rob's hand went over his mouth.
"That has nothing to do with it,
nothing at all," she said. ~ asked you
what you wanted. Tell me at once"
"Gimme er day 8 start. l kin manage
the rest" the man answered, slow,
painful red burning up through the pal
Ior of his face. "Once lemme have 80
miles tween me all them thar outside
they won't never fetch me. Oh, eff only
you will-Godl Miss, you may kill me,
cut me in little pieces. You can't never
know what it II mean ter me-.
Rob pondered a minute, feeling his
eyes devour her face. Then she said,
low, but firmly:
"You shall have that. I pledge my
word for it, Now, listen. You are to
stay here until almost midnight. Aunt
Phemy will stain your face and hands
till you would pass for one of her color.
Then at 10 O'Clock tonight you must be
at the bridge on the turnpike, two miles
from here. Some one will meet you
there. Never mind who. You can trust
him. He will answer Tom when you
say Jerry He will take you where you
choose, as far as he can before morning
Meantime get file and take that ring
off your ankle and borrow Aunt Phemy' S
wallet to carry the food she will give
you"-
"Des do listen at her She talks like
l 'longed her same as eberl' Aunt Phe-
my said, with little, odd laugh. Rob
put out her hand and touched the black
woman's lightly as she said:
"No, Aunt Phemy. I know you are
free, but free only to do good"
When she had gone away, the man
seemed to rouse from daze. He talked
long and earnestly with the old black
| .rox-,,,, o,,l - ,,,o+to,, ,,o,,,