Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-07-10

ger which for the moment dominated
all her other emotions. She struggled
to her feet. but Slosson put out q
heavy hand and thrust her back.
There now" he urged soothingly.
why make fuss? We amt going
to harm you; we wouldn't for no sum
of money. Drive on, Jim-drive like
hell" This last was addressed to
the man who had taken Georges place
on the box, where a fourth member
of Slosson's band had forced the
3coachman down into the narrow space
between the seat and dashboard, and
was holding pistol to his head while
he sternly en1oined silence.
With word to the horses Jim
swung about and the carriage rolled
on through the night at breakneck
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
gquence in her mind. What was 1t
she had to fear? Was it Tom for
whom these men were acting? Tom
who would profit greatly by her dis.
appearance or death!
They swept past the entrance at
Belle Plain, past a break>i In the wall
Of the forest where the pale light OF
stars showed Betty the corntield she
and Hannibal had but lately crossed.
and then or. 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 he alb
ruptly checked them, and Bunker and
SSlosson sprang from their seats.
Get down. ma'am" said the lat
ter. ~,
Where are you taking me?" asked
Betty. In voice that shook In spite
OF her efforts to control 1t.
;s You must hurry. ma'am." urged
Slosson impatiently. e
45s"I won't move until ! know where
you intend taking mel" said Betty.
If am to de
g Mr.. Slosson laughed loudly and in
diligently. "a. Il
amt: II you don't want to-
walk, I'm man enough TO- to tote you.
We amt far to go. and I've tackled
Jobs Id heap less heart To- In my
time" he concluded CALAMITY. From
the opposite side Of the carriage
Bunker swore nervously. He desired
to know II 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 perfect eel-l'yo
had dealings with him afore!" +.
s'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 q start OF astonish-
ment at this. .
.s why. amt he hateful?'' he ex-
claimed aghast.a See here. young
Teller, that's no hind OF a way. TO you
to talk to a man who has riz his
ten children!" g
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told
Slosson to make haste. This popular,
clamor served to recall the tavern
keeper to a sense OF duty.
".'Ma'am. like should tote you, or
will you walk q" he inquired, and
reaching out his hand took hold OF
Betty. h ID Z. L
.I'll 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 a
narrow path that led on through the
woods, apparently In the direction OF
the river. "A moment later Betty
heard the carriage drive away. They
went onward In silence for a little
time, then Slosson spoke over his
shoulder. q
Yes. ma'am, I've rlz ten children.
but none Of 'em was like him--I
trained 'em up to the minute!" Mr..
Slosson seemed to have passed COM
pletely under the spell OF his ,domes-
tic recollections, for he continued
with Just a touch OF reminiscent sad
ness in his tone. There was all told
four Mrs. Slossons: two of 'em was
South Carolintans, one was from Geor-
gia. and the last was a widow lady
out OF east Tennessee She'd buried
three husbands, and figured we
could start perfectly even" The in
trinsic fairness of this start made its
strong appeal. Mr.. Slosson dwelt up
on it with satisfaction. she had
three to her credit, had three to
mine; neither could crow none over
the other"
ITO BE coNT1NUED3
Learn From Misfortunes.
To make capital out of our misfor
tunes-that is the philosophy of the