The Washington herald., 1911-11-05
CHAPTER XXIV-COntinued.

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'You have been waiting some time to
see me?" she asked.
Ever since along about noon"
you were afraid to come to the
house?"
'T didn't want to be seen there.
And yet you knew was alone"
"Alone-but how do you know who's
watching the placer"
do you think there was reason to be
afraid of that?" asked Betty.
Again the girl stamped her foot with
angry impatienoe.
You're Just wastin' time-just foolin'
1t away-and you amt got none to
spaEeT"
you must tell me what I have to fear
Il must know more or I shall stay just
where I am"'
WELL then, stay!" The girl turned
away, and then as quickly turned back
and faced Betty once more. 'I reckon
he'd Kill me IL he knew-I reckon I've
earned that already
'of whom are you speaking?'
He'll have you away from here to-
nightT'
HE? who and what If
refuse to so?'
Did they ask Charley Norton whether
he wanted to live or die?' came the SIN
lister question.
A shiver passed through Betty. She
was seeing 1t all again-Charley as he
groped among the graves with the hand
Of death heavy upon him.
A moment later she was alone. The
girl had disappeared. There were only
the shifting shadows as the wind tossed
the branches Of the trees, and the bands
of golden light that sIanted along the
empty path. The fear Of the unknown
leaped up fresh in Betty's soul in an
instant flying feet had borne her to the
boys side.
.sCome-come quick, Hannibal" she
gasped out, and seized his hand.
What is 1t. Miss Betty7 What's the
natter asked Hannibal as they fed
painting up the terraces.
= don't know-only we must get away
from here just as soon as we CAM!
Then. seeing the look Of alarm on the
child's face, she added more quietly,
Don't be frightened, dear; only we must
go away from Belle Plain at once" But
where they were 10 go, she had not con-
sidered.
Reaching the house. they stole to Bettys
room. Her weIl-flled purse was the i'm
portant thing; that, together with some
nece ssary clothing, went into a small
handbag.
You must carry this Hannibal: if any
one sees US leave the house they'll think
It something you are taking away she
explained Hannibal nodded understand
ingly.
Don't you trust your niggers. Miss
Betty" he whispered as they went from
the room.
It only trust you, dear!'
What makes you go? Was 1t some
thing that woman told you? Are they
coming after US, Miss Betty? Is 1t Capt.
Murrell?"
Capt Murren?" There was less of
mystery now, but more of terror, and
her hand stole up to her heart, and.
white and slim, rested against the black
fabric of her dress.
Don't you be scared, Miss Betty!
said Hannibal.
They went silently from the house
and again crossed the lawn to the ter
race. Under the leafy arch which can
opied them there was already the deep
purple of twilight.
DO you reckon it were Capt Murrell
shot Mr.. Norton, Miss Betty?" asked
Hannibal in a shuddering whisper.
''Hush-Oh, nush, Hannibal! 1t is too
awful to even speak Of" and, soobing
and half hysterical she covered her face
But where are we going, Miss Betty?"
II don't know. dear" She had an
agonizing sense of the nights approach
and Of her own utter helplessness.
I'll tell you what, Miss Betty, let's
go to the judge and Mr.. Mahafry!" said
Hannibal.
Judge PRICE," She had not thought
of him as a possible protector.
why, Miss Betty, amt 1 told you he
amt afraid of nothing? We could walk
to Raleigh easy if you don't want your
niggers to hook up a team for you"
Betty suddenly remembered the car
riage which had taken the judge into
town; she was sure it had not yet re-
turned.
I'VE will go to the judge, Hannibal!
George, who drove him into Raleigh,
has not come back; If we hurry We may
meet him on the road
Screened by the thick shadows, they
passed up the path that edged the bayou;
at the head Of the inlet they entered a
clearing, and crossing this they came
to the cornfield which lay between the
house and the highroad. Following one
of the shock rows they hurried to the
mouth of the lane.
Hannibal I don't want to tell the
Judge why I am leaving Belle Plain
about the woman, I mean" said Betty.
You reckon they'd kill her. don't
you, Miss Betty, If they knew what she'd
done?" speculated the boy. It occurred
to him that an adequate explanation Of