Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1911-12-07

IWdTO ueT. i# 5FsSip IL ss4E&3E 859
Don't come near met" cried Betty.
Her eyes blazed, and she looked at him
with loathing. 81 *
You'll learn to be- kinder" he ~.
ulted. You wouldn't see me ut Bell
Plain: what was left for mo but t.
have you brought here? ~ 35 85
While Murrell was speaking. the Gig
nal that had told OF his own presence
on the opposite shore Of the bayou was
heard again. This served to arrest his
attention. A5looksof uncertainty passed
over his face. then he made an impa-
tient gesture asVif he, dismissed somo
thought that had forced itself upon
him, and turned to Betty. s
"You don't ask what my purpose is
where YOU are concerned; have you no
curiosity on that score 7" She endeav-
ored to meet his glance with q glance
as resolute, then her eyes sought the
boys upturned face. Il, am going to
send you down river. Betty. Later I
shall join you In New Orleans, and
when leave the country you shall 30
with me- s
"Never!'' gasped Betty.
AS my wife, or however you cho0ss
to call it. I'll teach you what Ia mans
love Is like" he boasted, and extended
his hand. Betty shrank from him, and
his hand fell at his side. He looked
at her steadily out Of his sdeep.snnk
eyes in which blazed the fires of HIS
passion, and as he looked, her faco
paled and flushed by turns. ''Y on may.
learn to be kind to me. Betty, /" he isaid.
you may find twill be worth yotir
while" Betty. made no answer. she
only gathered Hannibal closer to her
side. why not accept what 1 have.
to offer, Betty?' again he went nearer
her, and again she shrank from him..
but the madness Of his mood was in the
ascendant He seized her and drew
her to him. She struggled to free her.
self, but his fingers frightened about
hers. M
"Let me go!" she painted. He
laughed his cool laugh of triumph.
| Let you go-ask me anything hut
that, Betty! Have you no reward for
patience such as mine? IA whole SUM
mer has passed since I saw you flrst ~ : s
There was the noisy shufIling OF feet
on the stairs, and releasing Betty, Muir
rell swung about on his heel and faced
the door. 1t was pushed open an inch
at a time by not too confident hand
and Mr.. Slosson thus guardedly pre-.
sented himself to the eye OF his chief,
whom he beckoned from the room.
"Well?" said Murrell, when they
stood together on the landing.
''Just come across to the keel boat"
and Slosson led the way down the
stairs and from the house.
| Damn you, Joe; you might have
waited!" observed the outlaw. Slos.
son gave him a hardened grin. They
crossed the clearing and boarded the
keel boat which rested against the
bank. As they did SO, the cabin IN tho,
the stern gave up shattered presence
in the shape Of Tom Ware Murrell
started violently. II thought you were
hanging out in Memphis, Tom? Z" he
said. and his brow darkened az, ssinis.
tier. and forbidding, he stepped closer to
the planter Ware did not answer III
once. but looked at Murrell out Or
heavy bloodshot eyes, his face pinched
land CHASTITY. At last he said, speak.
ing with visible effort u q s'5 Il;
I II stayed in Memphis until five
o'clock this morning"
Damn your early hours!" roared
Murrell. What are you doing here?
| suppose you've been showing that
dead face of yours about the neighbor-
hood-Why didn't you stay at Belle
Plain since you couldn't keep away?y
Il haven't been near Belle Plain, i
came here instead How am / going
to meet people and answer questions ~
His teeth were chattering. 'Is 1t known
she's missing?" he added.
Hicks raised the alarm the tirat
thing this morning. according to the
instructions I'd given him"
t"Yes?" gasped Ware. He was drip.
j ping from every pore and the sickly.
color came and went on his unshaven
cheeks. Murrell dropped heavy hand
on his shoulder. Il
"You haven't been at Belle Plain.
you say, but has any one seen you on
the road this morning 2" i3 s'
+"No one, John" cried Ware, painting
between each word. There was "
moments pause and Ware spoke again.
What are they doing at Belle Plain ~
he demanded in whisper. Murrell's
lips curled. 70
"I understand there is talk OF sui.
cide," he said.
Good" cried Ware. ,;ss 5
"They are dragging the bayou down
below the house. It looks as though
you were going to, reap the rewards
(of the excellent management you have
givn her estate. They have been try
ling to find you in Memphis, SO the
sooner you show yourself the better,'.
he concluded significantly. Il
you are sure you have her safe,
John, no chance of discovery? For
Gods sake, get her away from here 90
soon as you can, it's an awful risk you
lrun!' 4.
She'll be sent down river tonight. I"
said Murrell.
i Captain" began Slosson who up to
this had taken no part In the converse
|tion. when are you going to cross to
t'other side of the bayou?"
1 Soon replied Murrell. Slosson
laughed.
II didn't know but you'd clean for
got the Clans business. l want to ask
another question-but first I want to
say that no one thinks higher or more
& 1 - YoA