The Lamar register., 1912-07-24

been on your track for six months"
"How about this fellow?" asked the
man whose pistol still covered Ware.
Hues glanced toward the planter and
shook his head.
where are you going to take me7"
asked Murrell quickly. Again Hues
laughed.
you'll ind that out in plenty OF
time, and then your friends can pass
the word around If they like; now
you'll come with me-"
Ware neither moved nor spoke as
Hues and his prisoner passed back
along the path, Hues with his hand
on Murrell's shouler. and one OF his
companions close at his heels, while
the third man led on the outlaws
horse.
Presently the distant clatter OF
hoofs was borne to Wares ears-only
that; the miracle OF courage and dar-
ing he had half expected had not hap
pened. Murrell. for all his wild boast
ing. was like other men. like himself.
His bloodshot eyes slid around in
their sockets. There across the sun
Lit stretch Of water was Betty-the
thought Of her brought him to quick
choking terrors. The whole fabric OF
crime by which he had been benefited
in the past or had expected to profit
In the future seemed topping in upon
him. but his mind clutched one i'm.
portant fact. Hues. II he knew OF
Bstty's disappearance. did not con-
meet Nurrsll with It. Ware sucked In
comfort between his twitching lips.
Stealing niggers! No one would be-
Msvo that he. . planter. had Q hand in
that. and for . brief instant he con-
sidersd signaling Bess to return. Slos-
son must be told Of Murrelps arrest:
but he was sick with apprehension,
some trap might have been prepared
for him. he could not know; and the
impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together in .
hopeless. beaten gesture. And Muir.
rell had gone weak-with his own
eyes - had seen t-Murrell-whom
he believed without fear! He felt that
he had been grievously betrayed in
his trust and q hot rage poured
through him. At last he climbed In
to the saddle. and, swaying like Q
drunken man. galloped on.
When he reached the river road
he paused and scanned its dusty sur
face. Hues and his party had turned
south when they issued from the wood
path. No doubt Murrell was being
taken to Memphis. Ware laughed
harshly. The outlaw would be free
before another dawn broke.
He had halted near where Jim had
turned his team the previous night
after Betty and Hannibal had left the
carriage: the marks Of the wheels
were a. plainly distinguishabIe as the
more recent trail left BY the four men.
and as he grasped the Significance OF
that wide half circle his sense OF in
fury overwhelmed him again. He
hoped to live to see Murrell hanged
He was so completely lost in his
bitter reflections that he had been un-
aware Of mounted man who was
coming toward him at a swift gallop.
but now he heard the steady pounding
Of hoofs and, startled by the sound.
looked up. A moment later the horse
man drew rein at his side.
"Warei" he cried.
How are you, Carringtonf" said
the planter.
you are wanted at Belle Plain" be-
gan Darlington. and seemed to hest
tate.
"Yes-yes. I am going there at once
now" stammered Ware. and gath
cred up his reins with shaking hand.
you've heard. take it," said Car
rington slowly.
"Yes," answered Ware, In . hoarse
whisper. my God. Darlington. I'm
heart sick; she has been like a daugh-
tor to mel" he fell silent, mop
ping his face.
II think understand your feeling"
said Darlington, giving him a level
glance.
Then you'll excuse me-" and the
planted clapped spurs to his horse.
Once he looked back over his Shout
der; he saw that Darlington had not
moved from the spot where they had
met.
At Belle Plain, Ware found his
neighbors in possession Of the place.
They greeted him quietly and spoke
in subdued tones of their sympathy.
The planter listened with an air OF
such abject misery that those who had
neither liked nor respected him, were
reused to q sudden generous feeling
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