The Detroit times., 1911-10-31

With a word 10 the horses Jim
I swung about and the carriage rolled
OF through the night at a breakneck
pace. Betty's shaking hands drew
Hannibal closer TO her side as she
felt the surge OF her terrors rise with
in her. Who were these men-where
could they be taking her-and for
what purpose? The events OF the past
| week linked themselves in tragic Sc
aaeRee In her mind. What was ii
she had 10 fear? Was Il Tom for
whom these men were acting? Tom,
J who would profit greatly by her dis.
appearance or death!
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain. past a break In the wall
OF the forest where the pale light or
stars showed Betty the cornfield she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed
and then on into pitchy darkness
again. She chung TO the desperate
hope that they might meet some one
on the road. when she could cry out
and give the alarm. She held herself
in readiness for this, but there was
only the steady pounding OF the big
bays as Jim with voice and whip
urged them forward. At last he abb
ruptly checked them. and Bunker and
| Slosson sprang from their seats.
Get down. ma'am!" said the latter.
Where are you taking me-" asked
Betty, In a voice that shook In spite
OF her efforts to control IL.
You must hurry, ma'am," urged
| Slosson impatiently.
Il won't move until know where
you intend taking mel" said Betty.
''If am TO die
Mr., Slosson laughed loudly and in
| diligently.
walk, I'm man enough TO to tote you.
We amt far to go, and I've tackled
/ jobs I'd heap less heart TO in my
, time" he concluded CALAMITY. From
the opposite side OF the carriage
Bunker swore nervously. He desired
! TO know If they were TO stand there
| talking all might. Shut your filthy
mouth. Bunker, and see you keep
! tight hold of that young rip-staver."
said Slosson. Hes perfect eel
I've had dealings with him afore!"
You tried to kill my Uncle Bob
at the tavern. you and Captain Muir
rell. heard you, and seen you
drag him to the riyer!" cried Hanni-
bal
Slosson gave a start OF astonish-
ment at this.
why, amt he hateful!- he ex-
claimed aghast. See here. young fell
Ter, that's no kind OF way TO- you
TO talk TO man who has rtZ his ten
children!"
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told
Slosson to make haste. This popular
clamor served to recall the tavern
keeper to a sense OF duty.
"Ma'am, like should tote you, or
will you walk?" he inquired. and
reaching, out his hand took hold of
Betty.
"Tll walk" said the girl quickly,
shrinking from the contact.
Keep close at my heels. Bunker,
you tuck along after her with the
boy"
What about this nigger?" asked
the fourth man.
Fetch him along with u.s." said
Slosson. They turned from the road
while he was speaking and entered a
narrow path that led OF through the
woods, apparently in the direction OF
the river moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
went onward in silence for little
time, then Slosson spoke over his
shoulder.
Yes. ma'am, I've riz ten children.
but none Of 'em was like him train
ed 'em up to the minute!" Mr.. Slos-
son seemed TO have passed complete
ly under the spell of his domestic
recollections, for he continued with
just a touch OF reminiscent sadness
in his tone. There was all told four
Mrs. Slossons: two OF 'em was South
Carolinians, one was from Georgia,
and the last was widow lady out
of east Tennessee. She'd buried
three husbands, and / figured We
could start perfectly even" The in
trinsic fairness of this start made it's
strong appeal Mr.. Slosson dwelt up
on II with satisfaction. "She had
three to her credit, had three to
mine; neither could crow none over
the other"
AS they stumbled forward through
the thick obscurity he continued his
personal revelations, the present en-
terprise having reused whatever there
was of sentiment slumbering in his
soul. At last they came out on a
wide bayou; a white mist hung above
IL, and on the low shore leaf and
branch were dripping with the night
dews. Keeping close to the waters
edge, Slosson led the way to a point