The Washington herald., 1911-11-05
toOpynsht ISl. the BOsbeMeTm Company

Yes, ma'am; I've riz ten children. but
none Of 'em was like him-I trained 'em
up to the minuter' Mr.. SIosson seemed
to have passed completely under the spell
of his domestic recollections, for he con-
tinued 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 Geor-
g1a, and the last was widow lady out
OF East Tennessee. She's buried three
husbands, and I figured we could start
perfectly even." The intrinsic fairness of
this start made its strong appeal Mr.
Slosson dwelt upon 1t 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 enterprise having
reused whatever there was of sentiment
slumbering in his soul. At last they came
out on wide bayou; a white mist hung
above it, 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 point where a
skif was drawn up on the bank.
Step in, ma'am," he said, when he
had launched it.
II will go no farther!' said Betty in
fear, the full horror Of the unknown lay
hold of her, and she gave a piercing cry
for help. Slosson swung about on his
heel and seized her. For a moment she
struggled to escape, but the mans big
hand pinioned her.
mo more of that? he warned, then
he recovered himself and laughed. You
could yell till you was black in the face.
ma am, and there'd be no one to hear
you"
Where are you taking meT' and Bet
tvs voice faltered between the sudden
sobs that choked her.
Just across to George Hicks"
For what purpose"
you'll know in plenty Of time" And
Slosson leered at her through the dark
ness.
Hannibal is to go with me?' asked
Betty TREMENDOUSLY.
'Sure"' agreed Slosson afrably. Your
Niger, too-quite a party"
Betty stepped into the skin. She felt
her hopes quicken-she was thinking Of
Bess; whatever the girls motives, she
had wished her to escape She would
wish II now more than ever since the
very thing she had striven to prevent had
happened. Slosson seated himself and
took up the oars, Bunker followed with
Hannibal and they pushed of. No word
was spoken until they disembarked on
Inc opposite snore, When SICSSon ad-
dressed Bunker:
II reckon I can manage that young
rip-staver; you go back after Sherrod
and the niger he said.
He conducted his captlves up the bank
and they entered a clearing. Looking
across this Betty saw where a cabin
window framed a single square Of light
They advanced toward this and pres
emily the dark outline of the cabin itself
hal Lot
Slosson paused. a door yielded to his
hand, and Betty and the boy were thrust
into the room where Murrell had held his
conference with Fentress and Ware. The
two women were now its only occu-
pants, and the mother gross and shape
less. turned an expressionless face on the
intruders; but the daughter shrank into
the shadow, her burning glance fixed on
Betty.
Here's yo guests, old LADY, said Mr.
Slosson. Mrs. Hicks rose from the three
legged stool on which she was sitting.
Hand me the candle, Bess,'' she or
dered.
At one side of the room was a steep
flight OF stairs which gave access to the
loft overhead. Mrs. Hicks. by a gesture
signified that Betty and Hannibal were
to ascend these stairs; they did so and
found themselves on a narrow landing
inclosed by a partition of rough planks;
this partition was pierced by low door
Mrs Hicks, who had followed close at
their heels, handed the candle to Betty.
I'm yonder!" she said briefly, nodding
toward the door.
''Wait"' cried Betty in a whisper.
NO" said the woman with an almost
masculine surllness Of tone. It got moth
ing to say" She pushed them into the
attic, and, closing the door, fastened it
with stout wooden bar.
Beyond that door, which seemed to
have closed on every hope. Betty held
the tallow dip aloft, and by its uncer-