The Washington herald., 1911-11-06
THE PRODIGAL JUDGE
BY VAUGHAN KESTER he
Copyright. vlI, ns BobbsMeuin cOupsazl

ing with halter about my neck, and all
for your sake Who'd risk as much for
love of your He seemed to expand with
savage pride that this was so, and took
a. step toward her.
Don't come near mef' cried Betty.
Her eyes blazed and she looked at him
with loathing.
You'll learn to be kinder" he exulted.
You wouldn't see me at Belle Plain;
what was left for me but to have you
brought here?''
While MurreIl was speaking the signal
that had told Of his own presence on the
opposite shore Of the bayou was heard
again. This served to arrest his at en-
ton. A look Of uncertainty passed over
his face; then he made an impatient ges-
ture, as If he dismissed some thought
that had forced itself upon him, and
turned to Betty.
You don't ask what my purpose IS
where you are concerned; you have no
curiosity on that scorer She endeav-
ored to meet his glance with a glance as
resolute, then her eyes sought the boys
upturned face. IT am going to send
you down river. Betty. Later shall
Join you In New Orleans and when 1
leave the country. you shall go with
me"
NeVerE gdSpeO Betty.
LAS my wife, or however you CHOOSE
to call 1t. I'll teach you what 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 deep-sunk eyes, in
which blazed the fires OF his passion, and
as he looked, her face paled and flushed
by turns. You may learn to be kind to
me, Betty" he said. "'You may find 1t
no answer; she only gathered HanRibal
closer to her side. why not accept
what I 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
herself, but his fingers frightened about
hers.
Let me gov' she painted. He laughed
his cool laugh of triumph.
Let you go-ask me anything but
that Betty! Have you no reward for
patience such as miner A whole sum-
mer has passed since saw you first
There was the noisy shufhing Of feet
on the stairs, and releasing Betty, Muir
ren swung about on his beel and faced
the door. It was pushed open an inch
at a time by not too confident hand
and Mr.. Slosson thus guardedly present.
ed himself to the eye Of his chief. whom
he beckened from the room.
'"weIl?" said Murrell, when they stood
together on the landing.
"Just come across to the keel boat!'
and Slosson led the way down stairs
and from the house.
Damn you, Joe, you might Nave walt
ed!" observed the outlaw. Slosson 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 the stern gave up shat
tered presence in the shape OF Tom Ware.
Aurrell started violently. II thought you
were hanging out IN Memphis, Tom?' he
said. and his brow darkened, as, sinister
and forbIdding. he stepped closer to the
planter. Ware did not answer at once
but loked at Murrell out Of heavy, blood
shot eyes, his face pinched and CHASTITY.
At last he said, speaking with visible ef-
fort.
'T stayed in Memphis until o'clock
this morning"
Damn your early hours!" roared Mur-
rell. what are you doing here? Eup-
pose you've been showing that dead race
Of yours about the neighborhood-why
didn't you stay at Belle Plain, since you
couldn't keep away
IT haven't been near Belle Plain; I
came here instead. How am going to
meet people and answer questionsT His
teeth were chattering. 1t Is known
she's missingT' he added.
Hicks raised the alarm the first thing
this morning. according to the instruc-
lions ia given him.
"Yes?" gasped Ware He was dripping
from every pore and the sickly color
came and went on HIS unshaven cheeks.
MurreIl dropped heavy hand on his
shoulder
"YOu haven't been at Belle Plain. you
say. but has any one seen you on the
road this morning?"
mo one. john" cried Ware. painting
between each word. There was mo-
ment's pause and Ware spoke again.
what are they doing at Belle Plaing"
he demanded in whisper. Murrell's lips
curled.
VI understand there is talk of suicide"
he said.
''Goods cried Ware.
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