The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13

houseg"
Il 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 impotence.
You're just wastin' time-Just fool
in it away-and you amt got none to
sparel"
You must tell me what have to
fear-I must know more or l shall
stay just where l ami"
We'll, then, stayl" The girl turned
away, and then as quickly turned back
and faced Betty once more Il reckon
he'd kill me if he knew reckon
I've earned that already"
"Of whom are you speaking?"
Hell have you away from here to-
night"
He? who .. and
what if 1 refuse to go?"
Did they ask Charley Norton
whether he wanted to live or diey"
came the sinister question.
A SILVER passed through Betty. She
was seeing it all again-Charley as ne
CROPPED 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 slanted
along the empty path. The fear OF
the unknown leaped up afresh in Bet
TVS soul; in an instant flying feet had
borne her to the boys side.
"Come-come quick, Hannibal!"
she gasped out, and seized his hand.
What is it, Miss Betty? What's
the natter" asked Hannibal as they
fed painting up the terraces.
81 don't know-only we must get
away from here Just as soon as We
cant" 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
to go, she had not considered.
Reaching the house, they stole to
Betty's room. Her well-filled purse
was the important thing; that, togeth-
er with some necessary 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 TAX
ing away" she explained. Hannibal
nodded Understandings.
Don't you trust your niggers, Miss
Betty?" he whispered as they went
from the room.
Il only trust you, dear!"
What makes you go? Was it some
thing that woman told you? Are they
coming after US, Miss Betty? Is it
Captain Murrell?"
Captain Murrell?" 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
opted them there was already the
deep purple of twilight.
do you reckon it were Captain
Murrell shot Mr.. Norton, Miss Bet
ty?" asked Hannibal in a shudderine
whisper.
"Hush-Oh, hush, Hannibal! 1t is
too awful to even speak Of" and,
sobbing and half hysterical, she COW
cred her face with her hands.
But where are we going, Miss
Betty?" asked the boy.
Il don't know, dear!" She had an
agonizing sense of the nights ap-
proach and of her own utter helpless
ness.
'Ill tell you what, Miss Betty, let's
go to the judge and Mr.. Mahanyl"
said Hannibal.
Judge Price?" She had not thought
of him as a possible protector.
why, Miss Betty, amt / told you
he amt afraid of nothing? We could
walk to Raleigh easy If you don't want
your niggers to hook up 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