The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-09-24

/ on finding herself the focus of so many
eyes, the negro was brought forward
che had seen the face of the robber
who entered her room, and whom she
| had beaten off, in dim light only. but
its every feature was indelibly upon
her memory. The sight Of that face
again stilled her beating heart and
calmed every nerve. Her level gaze
sought his eyes, but they would not
meet 1t. Once, once only, they rested
on her face. No pity, no mercy, was
there. 1t was the face of judge and
an eXecutioner She had not spoken
when shrieks broke the stiffness and
a negro woman, who had come across
the cotton field, plunged into the light
and, falling. clasped the girls knees.
The woman was almost breathless
with excitement and exhaustion. She
had run from the distant cabin where
the negro had been seized. He was
her boy, and came but seldom to this
plantation, and then only to escape the
consequences of crime elsewhere.
Don't do it. missy-for Gods sake.
It warnt him! No, 70 God, 1t warnt
him! he been dere all night! Say it
warn't him, honey-yo' mammy's boy,
honey An she nussed you an yourn!
Yo' sisters died in my arms! Speak,
missy! Tell 'em quick, honey, it
wan't nanny boy!"
The girl reached down and rested
her hand on the head of the old wo.
man. Her face was white and her
voice barely audible.
"Hush, nanny" She looked intent
ly on the brutal face of the prisoner
who had been brought closer. A shud
der shook her form, but she did not
turn away her eyes. The words she
spoke then were inaudible to any of
the group except her father. He start.
ed violently.
Child! Child" he cried, look of
fear on his face. Remember what you
are doing!"
J what does your daughter say, col
onel?" asked the leader.
The planter paused and looked on
) the girl, whose struggle to be calm was
: apparent to all. He waited in vain.
THAT this is not the mani" he said
. at length.
The amazement of the crowd was
, evident. though there was no immedi.
ate response. The members drew
: slowly into little groups. The leader
sat his horse. thoughtfully regarding
the girl.
I "If she's sartin, thar amt nothiu'
for us to do but turn him loose and try
a8'in. My young frien'-are you sartin
that this amt ther man who went into
: yo' room to-night?" The girl looked
appealingly towards him, the negro
woman patting her hand and moaning.
Il am certain" she said, and her
white face was not turned away. The
old man gazed steadily into it and
lifted his hat.
Every man in the party read the
meaning of his action and every hat
was lifted as the woman and girl with
drew.
Colonel" he said, when they were
.gone, under this statement of tn case,
we can't do nothin' but turn tn man
loose. In n courthouse, il she went
thar, as you wouldn't have her, yo'
daughter would acquit tn prisoner.
Public opinion wouldn't indorse any
Whence on our part Boys, unite him.
The negro was being united, his
lands extended for the purpose, when
the man who was working at the knot
paused, looking intently at the pris-
oner's wrist. He called the leader and
whispered to him. and as he whispered
the negro sought to draw the wrist
back under the rough shirt sleeve.
"In tn struggle, colonel" said tbs
leader, coming now TO where the ia
ther stood thoughtful and depressed, his
eyes bent on the Pickering fire, did
yo' daughter say anything erbout Ell
wound she made? Try an remember
please, sah-it may save her comm
, back"
None whatever. The pistol she
: held was seized and would have been
/ wrenched from her but that in her
desperation she succeeded in Wait!
+ Wait" he cried, rushing forward
E There must have been wound! Look
7 for n wound on his wrist"
The negro's arm was seized and, in
S spite of frantic struggle on his part
t to conceal it, the print of the girls
teeth, where they had sunk into the
Q flesh, became visible. lie would have
! cried out but n hand was laid over
= his mouth until q gag had been found
: "Stay here, colonel" said the leader
a as the party mounted and rode away
! with their prisoner. "We won't need
, no help"
e The planter remained. He waited
, sadly by the fire until Peter extln
s guished it and then passed slowly tc
V the house.
: Through the still open window he
I saw his daughter on her knees, con
vulsed with the agony of remorse foI
/ her first lie. Her Nanny" bending