The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-08-02


corning what was happening at Belle
Plain. In the end she realized that
the day could go by and her absence
occasion no alarm. Steve might rea-
sonably suppose George had driven
her into Raleigh or to the BoWens
and that she had kept the carriage.
Finally all her hope centered on Judge
Price. He would expect Hannibal dur
ing the morning; perhaps when the
boy did not arrive he would be tempt
ed to go out to Belle Plain to dis
cover the reason of his non-appear-
ance. She wondered what theories
would offer themselves to his In
genious mind, for she sensed some
thing OF that indomitable energy
which in the face of rebuffs and
laughter carried him into the thick OF
every sensation.
At noon Mrs. Hicks, as sullen as IN
the morning brought them their din
ner. She had scarcely quilted the loft
when a shriu whistle pierced the ST.
lence that hung above the clearing.
1t was twice repeated, and the two
women were heard to go from the
cabin. Perhaps half an hour elapsed,
then a step became audible on the
packed earth of the dooryard. Some
one entered the room below and be-
gan to ascend the narrow stairs. ana
Betty's fingers closed convuls1vely
about Hannibars. This was neither
Mrs. Hicks nor her daughter, nor
Slosson with his clumsy shuttle. There
was brief pause when the LANDING
was reached. but it was only momen-
tary; a hand lifted the bar, the door
was thrown open, and Its space
framed the figure of a man. 1t was
John MurreL.
Standing there he regarded Betty In
silence. but a deep-seated fire glo"eo
in his sunken eyes, The sense OF pos
session was raging through him, his
temples throbbed, fever stirred MS
blood. Love, such as 1t was, he un-
doubtedly felt for her, and even MS
giant project, with all its monstrous
ramifications, was lost sight Of for the
moment She was the inspiration Tor
it all, the goal and reward for which
he struggled.
Betty" the single word fell softly
from his lips. He stepped into the
room, closing the door as he did So
The girls eyes were dilating with
mute horror. for by some swift, IN
tuitive process of the mind, Whlcn
asked nothing of the logic of events.
but dealt only with conclusions. Muir
art n r.
derer. Perhaps he read her thoughts,
but he had lived in his degenerate
ambitions until the common 1ude-
ments or the understanding OF them
no longer existed for him That Bet
ty had loved Norton seemed inconse-
quential even: it was a memory to
be swept away by the force OF his
greater passion. So he watched ner
smilingly, but back Of the smile was
the menace OF unleashed impulse.
Cant you find some word OF well
come for me, Betty?" he asked at
length, still softly, still with some
thing of entreaty in his tone.
Then 1t was you-not Tom-Wno
had me brought here!" She could
whose hate was not to be feared as
she feared this mans love.
"Tom-no." and Murrell laughed.
You didn't think I'd give you up?
am standing with halter about my
| neck. and all for your sake-Who'd
risk as much for love of you?" He
| seemed to expand with savage pride
! that this was SO, and took step to-
| ward her.
Don't come near mel" cried Betty.
Her eyes blazed, and she looked at
him with loathing.
You'll learn to be kind er," he ex-
ulted. You wouldn't see me at Belle
Plain: what was left for me but to
have you brought here?"
While Murrell was speaking the sig
nal that had told of his own presence
on the opposite shore of the bayou
was heard again. This served to ar
rest his attention. A look OF uncer-
tatnty passed over his face, then he
made an impatient gesture as II he
| dismissed some thought that had
forced itself upon him. and turned
to Betty.
You don't ask what my purpose Is
where you are concerned; you nave
no curiosity on that score?" She en-
deavored to meet his glance with
glance as resolute, then her eyes
sought the boys upturned face. Il
am going to send you down river. Bet
ty. Later | shall join you in New Or
leans, and when ] leave the country
you shall go with me-
"Never!" gasped Betty.
las my wife, or however you choose
to call it. I'll teach you what mans
love is like" he boasted. ard extend
ed his hand. Betty shrank from him.
and his hand fell at his side. He
looked at her steadily out OF his deep
sunk eyes, in which blazed the fires OF
his passion, and as he looked, her
face paled and flushed by turns. You
| may learn to be kind to me, Betty.
he said. You may find it will be
worth your while" Betty made no
answer; she only gathered Hannibal
closer to Der side. Why not accept
what | have to offer. Betty" Again
he went nearer her, and again she
shrank from him, but the madness OF
his mood was in the ascendant. He
seized her and drew her to him. She
struggled to free herself, but his nm
gers frightened about her
CTO BE CONTINUED)