New-York tribune., 1907-01-27

of IL TO the old family slaves who lived IN al
most greater luxury IN their little cabins than
was possible for Ruth and her aunt. Tonight
Ruth sat looking down through the long avenue
OF trees through which Perham had sped IN his
motor through which she must ride bv his
side on the morrow. The tears were rolling
down her Cheeks. unheeded IN her shame, and
humiliation, and TcpugnanCe. She had been
high stepper" enough 20 suit Perhaul, keep
ing hum from al famIiiarItieS. refusing the
slightest aid FOR ner trouSseau. working hard
at simple materials with her Southern knaCS
Tor evolving prettineSS out OF nothing. and re-
lying on the gowns Milly had gwen her Tor the
rest.
Tonight. madIened by weeks Of restraint
and by her beauty and GOODNESS, Perham had
seized and kissed her orutally AZ parting. When
she WINGED and crIed out with the horror % L.
he only laughed Ike an insane man and kissed
her the harder; vt last She had struck him.
and he released her.
"Coniound it! | couldn't help it." ne NUT
tered. You're 50 madieningly beautiful
Now She sat and suffered the sting OF it. and
boxed forward through the vista % the wears.
II he laid the whole world Al her feet could he
ever discharge the debt he would owe-fo-
that;
Cod" she moaned. "Whv IS life so hard
for Us womene have chosen, and now
must 90 on TO the bitter endi''
She heard ShamblIng footsteps coming up
the avenue She knew them, and the rkeu-
matte old figure which outlined itself II the
Jarkness. That YOU. Uncle Mose'" She
called. anything wrong,"
q" Good eb'nin'. MIssie Ruth. / spec ain t
got no right ter AK YOU. but dey ain muffin
YOU wOuldu do fur OF Chic. Is dair9"
Nothing at all. Nose" answered Ruth
hastily. What does she want"
You see. its dis away. or Chic She ain
right smart an pears like She dun got IL Il, her
had She am gw'ne lib till nawnin' ter see
you-an git married. Desc Of CulIud puSs0ns
ain got a heap o sense" Nose was seventy
himself
" Does she want me to come down and see
her now,"
Dat She do. honey. Jes'so,'
tell auntv."
In moment she was back. a light shawl
thrown over her shoulders. and glad 70 have
her thoughts diverted from Perham She timed
her steps to the old man and chatted ga,.y
all the way down the avenue.
Exactly what happened when they turned
the corner She was too stunned 70 remember
atterwdrd, except that She was seized bv a
strong man. who bound her shawl about her
lace % stiIie her screams. piniOned her arms
at her side. and lifted her INTO q light buggy.
where another man threw his arm about her
and drove OF turlouSly II the direction OF
Richmond. One thing morc-old Nose made.
no attempt 70 cry for help or u save her from
the kIdnapper.
JuSt bit terrified although feeling IN
tuitlvely that she was safe enough. She stared
at the man and demanded: Who are vou.
and why have You done thiS2"
She telt strange quiver OF his BODY against
her As II he chOked back a laugh His collar
was turned high. his soft felt hat pulled low
over his eyes, but the outline OF nose and chin
was familiar. She thrust her face closer IN
the darkness, confirmed the recognition. and
cried IN anger:
Boyee Meade! You, Take me home IN
stantlv'"
lie wound the reins in a knot and gripped
them with his knees. Then he threw his freed
night arm around to meet his left, and held
her nrrnly graSped. She struggled helplesslv
against his strength
Boyce. what do YOU meant" She was furi-
Gus at her impotence. "You-a gentleman, p"
Tie only laughed as he lovingly Snuggled his
face upon her shoulders, but only long enough
70 enable hun to seize repeatedly the oppor-
tunltles of kissing her on the neck. cheeks, and
ipS. 1t was not IN her power TO resist, and
he heard her murmer:
Oh Boyce dear don't! l can't bear anv
more Please, please don't"
Win triumphant Cry, he threw back his
mead and his eyes drank the sweetness of her
lace through the darkness. The Slurnbering
hre IN her blood had awakened at his call
Dbl YOU really believe / would let YOU
marry Perhams Could YOU let him carry YOU