The Lamar register., 1912-06-26

personal revelations, the present en-
terprise having reused whatever there
was Of sentiment slumbering in his
soul. At last they came out ON
wide bayou: q white mist hung above
It. and on the low shore leaf and
branch were dripping with the night
dews. Keeping close to the waters
edge Slosson led the way to Q point
where q skin was drawn up on the
bank.
step in, ma'am." he said. when he
had launched 1t.
II will go no farther!" said Betty
in desperation. She felt an over
mastering fear, the full horror OF the
unknown lay hold Of her. and she gave
a piercing cry for help. SlOsson swung
about on his heel and seized her. For
u moment she struggled to escape.
but the mans big band pinioned her.
mo more OF thati" he warned, then
he recovered himself and laughed.
you could yell till you was black in
the face, ma'am. and there'd be NO
one to hear you"
Where are you taking me" and
Bettys voice faltered between the
sudden sobs that choked her.
Just across to George Hicks's.'
For what purpossf"
You'll know in plenty OF time"
And Slosson lsersd 1t her through the
darkness.
Hannibal IL 70 % with ms?" asked
Betty tremulously.
"Sure!" agreed Biosson aRabiy.
Your Niger. too-Quits q party"
Betty stepped into the skin. She
felt her hopes Quicken-she was think
ing OF Bess: whatever the girls mo-
tives. she had wished her to escape.
She would wish It now more than
ever since the very thing she had
striven to prevent had happened.
S.osson seated himself and took up
the oars. Bunker followed with Han
nibal and they pushed on. No word
was spoken until they disembarked ON
the opposite shore, when Slosson ad-
dressed Bunker.
Il reckon I can manage that young
you 70 back after SherrOd
and the Niger" he said.
He conducted his capuves up the
bank and they entered Q clearing.
across this Betty saw where
a cabin window framed single
square Of light. They advanced to-
ward this and presently the dark out
line Of the cabinet itself became dis
A moment later Slos-
son paused. . door yielded to his
hand. and Betty and the boy were
thrust into the room where MurrelI
hnlA EA~
and Ware. The two women were now
its only occupants. and the mother.
gross and shapsless. turned an ex-
pressionless face on the intruders;
but the daughter shrank into the
shadow. her burning glance fixed on
Betty.
Here's 20 guests. old LADY," said
Mr. Slosson. Mrs. Hicks rose from
the three-legge1 stool on which she
was sitting.
Hand mo the candle. Bess." she
ordered.
At one side Of the room was a steep
Hight Of stairs which gave access to
the loft overhead. Mrs. Hicks. by q
gesture. signined that Betty and Han
nibal were to ascend these stairs:
they did 20 and found themselves ON
a narrow landing Enclosed by a par
tition Of rough planks; this partition
was pierced By . low door. Mrs.
Hicks, who had followed close at
their heels. handed the candle to Bet
ty.
in yonder!" she said briefly, nod.
ding toward the door.
'Wait!" cried Betty in q whisper.
NO." said the woman with an al
most masculine suriiness OF tone. II
got nothing to say" She pushed them
into the attic. and. closing the door.
fastened 1t with q stout wooden bar.
Beyond that door. which seemed to
have closed on every hope. Betty held
the tallow dip aloft. and by its uncer-
tain and nickering light surveyed her
prison. The briefest glance sufficed.
The room contained two shake-down
beds and a stool: there was a window
In the gable. but q piece OF heavy
plank was spiked before 1t.
Miss Betty. don't you be scared
whispered Hannibal. when the Judge
hears we're gone, him and Mr.. Ma
haffy will try to nnd us. They'll go
right OF to Belle Plain-the Judge is
always wanting to do that. only Mr..
Mahaffy never let's hIm-but now he