The Detroit times., 1911-10-27


of bottle / Pegloe's Mississip-
Hannibals bright little face fell He
was quick TO see that the educational
system devised by the Judge did not
impress Betty at all fayorably. She
drew him into her arms.
You shall have my books-the
books ! learned 10 read out of when
I was ttttte gtrf. ffauntbat.A >
Il like learning from the label pref
~ well. said Hannibal loyalty.
But you'll like the books better.
dear, when you see them. know
Just where they are, for | happened
on them on a shelf in the library only
the other day"
After they had found and examined
the books and Hannibal had grudging-
ly admitted that they might possess
certain points of advantage over the
label, he and Betty went out for
walk II was now late afternoon and
the sun was sinking behind the wall
of the forest that rose along the
Arkansas coast Their steps had led
them TO the terrace-where they
stood looking off into the west. IL
was here that Betty had said good-by
TO Bruce Carrington-it might have
been months ago, and II was only
days. She thought of Charley-Char-
ley, with his youth and hope and high
courage-unwittingly enough she had
led him on to his death A sob rose
in her throat
Hannibal looked up into her face.
The memory of his own loss was
never very long absent from his mind
and Miss Betty had been the victim
of similarly sinister tragedy. He
recalled those first awful days OF
loneliness through which he had
lived, when there was no Uncle Bob
-soft-voiced, smiling and infinitely
companionable.
why, Hannibal, you are crying
what abou; dear?" asked Betty sud
denly.
mo, ma'am; / amt crying" said
Hannibal stoutly; but his wet lashes
gave the lie TO his words.
Are you homesick-do you wish to
go back to the judge and Mr.. Mahaf-
ty?"
mo, ma'am-it amt that was
just thinking"
About my Uncle Bob" The small
face was very wistfuI.
"Oh-and you still miss him so
much, Hannibal?"
Il bet | dol reckon anybody who
knew Uncle Bob would never get over
missing him; they just couldn't, Miss
Betty. The Judge is mighty kind, and
so is Mr.. Mahaffy-they'r awful kind,
Miss Betty, and ii seems like they
get kinder all the time-but with
Uncle Bob, when he liked you. he just
laid himself out to let you know it,"
That does make a great difference,
doesn't it?" agreed Betty sadly, and
two piteous fearful eyes were bent
upon him.
Don't you reckon il Uncle Bob is
alive, like the judge says, and he's
ever going to find me, he had ought
to be here now?" continued Hannibal
anxiously
But II hasn't been such a great
while, Hannibal; it's only that SO
much has happened to you. If he was
very badly hurt IL may have been
weeks before he could travel: and
then when he could, perhaps he went
back to that tavern to try to learn
what become OF you. But we may be
quite certain he will never abandon
his search until he has made every
possible effort to find you. dear! That
means he will sooner or later come to
west Tennessee, for there will always
be the hope that you have found your
way here
Sometimes get mighty tired wait
ing, Miss Betty" confessed the boy.
Seems like | just couldn't wait no
longer He sighed gently, and then
his face cleared. You reckon he'll
come most any time, don't you Miss
Betty?"
Yes, Hannibal; any day or hour"
Whoop" muttered Hannibal soft
ly under his breath. Presently he
asked Where does that branch take
you tor He nodded toward the bayou
at the foot of the terraced bluff
1T empties into the river" an
swcred Betty.
Hannibal saw small skiff beached
among the cottonwoods that grew
along the waters edge and his eyes
lighted up instantly. He had a juve-
nile passion for boats.
Why, you got boat, amt you,
Miss Betty" This was charming
and On important discovery
Would you like TO go down to it,"
inquired Betty.
Deed ! would! Does she leak any,
Miss Betty"
II don't know about that. DO boats
usually leak, Hannibal?
Why. you amt ever been out row
ing her, Miss Betty, have you?-and
there Amt no better fun than rowing
a boat" They had started down the
path.
Il used to think that, too. Hannf
bal; how do you suppose II is that
when people grow up they forget all
about the really nice things they
might do?"
What use is she IL you don't go
rowing in herr" persisted Hannibal.
"Oh. but it is used. Mr.. Tom uses
Il in crossing TO the other side where
they are clearing land for cotton. II
saves hini a long walk or ride about
the head OF the bayou"
Like ! should take you in her. Miss
Betty? demanded Hannibal with pal
nitatinQ aOyiatv