Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-06-26
CHAPTER XIX.


In the face OF Betty's indignant pro
test Slosson and the man named
Bunker climbed into the carriage.
Don't you be scared, ma'am." said
the tayern-keeper, who smeIt strongly
Of whisky. Il wouldn't lift nay hand
ag'in no good-looking female except
in Kindness"
How dare you stop my carriagey"
cried Betty. with very genuine an
ger which for the moment dominated
all her other emotions. She struggled
to her feet, but Slosson put out a
heavy hand and thrust her back
There now" he urgUd soothingiy.
why make a fuss? We amt going
TO harm you; we wouldn't for no sum
OF money. Drive on, Jirl-drfye like
belil This last was addressed TO
the nan who had taken Georges place
on the box, where a fourth member
OF Slosson's band had forced the
! coachman down into the narrow space
between the seat and dashboard. and
was holding pistol to his head while
/ he sternIy enJeined silence.
With word to the horses Jim
swung about and the carriage rolled
on through the night at a breakneek
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
/ quence In her mind.
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain. past break in the wall
| OF the forest where the pale light OF
| stars allowed Betty the corntield 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 be abb
ruptly checked them, and Bunker and
Slosson sprang from their seats.
Get down, maam!" said the lat
| ter.
Where are you taking me?" asked
Betty. in voice that shook IN spite
| of her efforts to control IT,
You must hurry. ma'am." urged
Slosson impatientIy
81 won't move until / know where
you intend taking met" said Betty.
| ''R am TO die"
Mr.. Slosson laughed loudly and In
diligently.
You amt. II you don't want to
walk. I'm man enough 70 to tote you.
| We amt far to go. and I've tackled
| jobs I'd a 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 night. Shut your filthy
mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight
hold OF that young rip-staver." said
Slosson. He's a perfect eel--Ive
| 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 river!" cried Hannibal
Slosson gave start Of astonish-
ment at this.
why. Amt he hateful?" he ex.
claimed aghast. See here, young
Teller, that's no kind of a way TO you
to talk to a man who has riz his
ten childreni"
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told
| Slosson to make haste. This popular
cIamor 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.
"r1l 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 q
narrow path that led off through the
woods, apparently in the direction Of
the river A moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
weEt onward in silence for a little
| time. then Slosson spoke over hi;
shoulder
Yes, ma'am, I've riz ten children
but none OF 'em was like him
trained EN- up to the minutel" Mr.
Slosson seemed to have passed com
pletely under the spell of his domes
tic recollections, for be continued
With Just a touch OF reminiscent sad
ncss in his tone. There was all toiC
four Mrs Slossons: two OF EN- wa:
South Carolinians. one was from Geor
gia. and the last was widow Iadl
out Of east Tennessee. She'd buried
three husbands. and | figured We
could start perfectly even" The in
trinsic fairness OF this start made 1T
strong appeal. MIR. .Slosson dwelt up
on It with satisfaction. "She haC
three to her credit. had three Il
mine; neither could crow none owe
the other"
Cro BE coNTINUED3