Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-08-21
SYNOPSIS


SYNOPSIS.
The Scare ~ the opening Of the story Is
laid 81 the library Of an old WOF4-ott
southern plantation. known as the Bar
ony The place IS to be sold. ana rs
history and that OF the owners. the
Quingards, is the subject Of discussion oy
Jonathan Crcnshaw. "A business man, a
stranger known as Bladeh. ana boD
Naucy a farmer. when Hannibal wayne
Hazard. q mysterious child OF tAe oio
southern family. makes his appearance.
Tancy tells how he adopted the boy IA
ttIniel Ferris bus thc Baronys Dst W
CuintaTds deny any knowledge o. We
boy. Haacy to keep Hannibal Japan
MurreH a friend Of the Quintards. ap-
pears and asbs questions about the Bar
Gny. Trouble at Scratch Eii. Wileh tiah-
niDal is kidnapped by Dave sii0unI Cap-
tain Mrfrelis agent 1anc5 oyer taAta
biOlHt. gives MIN tilTashiuE ana sseu!tN
the boy Yaucy appears before SQulfe
BALKAN. and Is discharged with costs TOT
the plaintiff. Betty Malroy, IIleha %
the Ferrses. has an encounter with cap
tain Mnrreii. who forces his attentions on
her and IS rescued by Bruce Caringtoh.
Betty sets out for her Tennessee NOME.
Darlington takes the same stage, aHeg
and Hannibal disappear with MuTreil on
their trait Hannibal arrives AT the nome
of Judge SlOcuIn Price. The Judge recoe-
Mics ia the boy the grandson OF an oid
time friend Hurreii arrives at Judges
home. Cayendish family on raft rescue
Yancy. Who Is apparently dead. Price
breaks fail Betty and Darlington arrive
at Belle Plain. Ha1nibals rifle dlscloses
some startling things TO the judge. HAN
nibai and Betty meet again. MufreH ar
rives in Belle Plain. Is playing Tor big
stakes Tancy awakes from long dream
less sleep on board the raft Judge Price
makes startling discoveries Ia looltng 10
land titles. Charley Norton. young
fSriousiy assaulted. S9rtOn Informs Car
rngton that Betty has promised 10 marry
him. Norton is mysteriously shot More
light on nurrclis plot lie plans uprl5-
ing OF negroes Judge Price with Hanni-
bal. visits Betty. and she Keeps the boy
as a companion. In stroll Betty takes
with Hannibal ihey meet Bess HICKS.
daughter Of the OVerseer. who warns
Betty Of danger and counSels her 70
leave Belle Plain at once. Betty. terri
fed. acts on Bess' advise. and on their
way their carriage Is stopped by Slosson
the tavern keeper, and confederate, ana
Betty and Annibai are made prisoners.
TIE pair arr taken TO Hicks cabin, ~ an
almost Inaccessible spot ana lheTe Mur-
reli visits Betty and reveals his part IN
the plot and HIS object. Betty spurns
his prodered love aud tie Interview ls
ended b. the arrival OF Ware, terrified
at possible outcome OF the crime. Judge
Price, hearing OF the abduction. plans &C
ton. The Judge takes charge Of the
situation. and search for the missing ones
Is Instituted. Darlington visits the Judge
and allies are discovered. Judge Price
visits Colonel Fentress, where he meets
Price dashes q glass % whisky uto The
colonels face and duel ls arranged. Muf-
rel Is arrested for negro stealing and us
bubble bursts The Judge and Mahany
disc uss the coming duel
CHAPTER xvii continued.)
lie waited now for the night to
come. and to him the sun seemed
fKed 10 the heavens Al Belle pain
Tom Ware was watching It with a
shuddering sense of the swtftness Of
its flight. But at last the tops OF the
tall trees obscured it; II sank quickly
then and blazed a bali OF fire beyond
the Arkansas coast, while It's dying
glory spread aslant the heavens, turn
ing the TANKS OF the gray clouds to
violet and purple and gold
with the first approach OF darkness
Darlington made his way TO the shed
Hidden In the shadow he paused to
listen. and iancied ne heard diiiicult
breathing from within The door
crenked hideously on It's wooden
hinges when he pushed II open. but as
It swung back the last remnant OF
the days light showed him some dark
object lying prone on the dirt floor
tie reached down and his HAND rested
on a mnn's booted foot
George" Darlington spoke softly.
but the man On the floor gave no sign
that be heard. and Carrlngtons quos-
tioning touch stealing higher he found
that George--it It were GCorge-was
tying On mis- side with bis arms ana
legs securely bound Thinking he
slept. the kentuckian shook him gent.
iy to arouse him
"Geofge?" be repeated. sin bend.
ing above him This time an inartic.
ulate murmur answered him At the
same instant the wuolly head OF the
negro came under his fingers and he
discovered the reason Of his silence
lie was as securely gagged as he was
hound
Listen. GeotGe-its Carrington-I
arr going 70 take of this gag. but
don't speak above n whisper--they
may hear u.s." And he cut the cords
that held the gag in place.
How yo' get here, Mas'r Gazing
tom asked the negro guardedly. as
the gag Ceil away.
Around the head OF the bayou"
'Lawdi" exclaimed George. In
tone of wonder
Where's Miss Betty?'
shes IN the cabin yonder-io
the love OF God, cut these here other
ropes with yo' knife. Mas'r Calngton
I'm perlshin' with emu" earring.
ton did az he asked. and groaning.
George sat erect. I'm like was
gone TO sleep all over" he said
"Youil feel better In moment Tell
me about Miss Mairoy?"
They done fetched us here last
night was drivin Missy into Raj
eligible and young Mas'r Hazard
when 10 men stop ul IL the road
Who we're they, 90 you know
asked Darlington
"Lawd- what's that?"
Darlington, knife in hand. swung
about on his heel. A lanterns light
flashed suddenly I'm his face and Bess
Hicks. with a low startled cry break
ing from her lips. paused in the door
way. Springiug forward. Darlington
seized her by the wrist
Hushi" he grimly warned
What are you doin here" demand
ed the girl. as she endeavured to shake
of his hand. but Darlington drew her
into the she'd and closing the door
set his back against it, There was
brief silence during which Bess re.