Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-13

Il
forest that rose along the Arkansa
coast. Their steps had led them to tn
TERRACE, where they stood looking OF
into the west. 1t was here that Bett!
had said good-by to Bruce Carringtol
lit might have been months ago. ant
II was only days. She thought o
Charley-Charley, with his youth ant
hope and high courage-unwittingi!
enough she had led him on to hi
death, A sob rose in her throat.
Hannibal looked up into her face
The memory of his own loss was never
very long absent from his mind, ant
Miss Betty had been the victim OF
similarly sinister tragedy. He re-
called those first awful days of loneli'
ness through which he lived, wher
there was no Uncle Bob-soft-voiced
smiling and infinitely companionable
why, Hannibal, you are crying
what about, dear?" asked Betty sud
denly.
mo, ma'am; amt crying" salt
Hannibal stoutly, but his wet lasne'
gave the lie to his words.
Are you homesick-do you wish tt
go back to the judge and Mr.. Ma
haffy?"
mo. ma'am-it amt that was JUS
thinking"
Thinking about what. dear?"
About my Uncle Bob" The small
face was very wistful.
"Oh-and you still miss him Sc
much, Hannibal?"
81 bet I dol reckon anybody VINO
knew Uncle Bob would never get ovei
missing him; they just couldn't, Miss
Betty. The judge is mighty kind, ant
so is Mr.. Mahaffy-they're awful kind
Miss Betty, and it seems like they gel
kinder all the time-but with Uncle
Bob, when he liked you, he just laic
himself out to let you know it,"
"Tha does make great difference
doesn't it?" agreed Betty sadly, ane
two piteous fearful eyes were benz
upon him.
Don't you reckon If Uncle Bob IL
alive, like the judge says, and he's
ever going to find me, he had ougn'
to be here by now?" continued Hanni'
bal anxiously.
But it hasn't been such a grea'
while, Hannibal; it's only that SO mucf
has happened to you. If he was very
badly hurt it may have been weeks
before he could travel: and then, wher
he could, perhaps he went back tc
that tavern to try to learn what had
become of you. But we may be quite
certain he will never abandon hls
search until he has made every pos
sible effort to find you, dear! That
means he will sooner. or later come to
west Tennessee, for there will always
be the hope that you have found your
way here"
Sometimes I get mighty tired walt
ing, Miss Betty" confessed the boy
Seems like I just couldn't wait nc
longer" He sighed gently and ther
his face cleared. You reckon hel
come most any time don't you, Miss
Betty?"
Yes, Hannibal: any day or hour
"Whoop!" muttered Hannibal softly
under his breath. Presently he asked
where does that branch take you
to-" He nodded toward the bayou
at the foot of the terraced bluff.
TT empties into the river" answer
ed Betty
Hannibal saw a small skiff beacheo
among the cottonwoods that grew
along the waters edge and his eyes
lighted up instantly. He had juvenile
passion for boats.
why, you got a boat, amt you
Miss Betty?" This was a charming
and an important discovery.
wouldn't you like to go down te
it?" inquired Betty.
Deed l would! Does she leak any
Miss Betty.
"I don't know about that Do boat:
usually leak, Hannibal?"
why, you amt ever been out row
ing in her, Miss Betty, have your
and there amt no better fun thar
rowing a boat" They had started
down the path.
"I used to think that, too, Hannibal
how do you suppose it is when people
grow up they forget all about th'
really nice things they might do?"
What use is she If you don't 81
rowing in herr" persisted Hannibal.
"Oh, but it is used. Mr.. Tom uses
1t in crossing to the other side where
they are clearing land for cotton.
saves him a long walk or ride abou
the head of the bayou"
Like I should take you out In her
Miss Betty?" demanded Hannibal will
palpitating anxiety.
They had entered the scattering tim
ber when Betty paused suddenly will
a startled exclamation. and Hannipa
felt her fingers close convulsivel!
about his. The sound she had heart
might have been only the rustling o
the wind among the branches over
head in that shadowy silence, bu
Betty's nerves. the placid nerves o
youth. and perfect health, were shat
tered
Didn't you hear something. Han
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys
teriously, and glancing in the direc
tion he indicated. Betty saw a wo
man advancing along the path towar'
them The look of alarm slowly diet
out of her eyes.
II think it's the overseer's niece.
she told Hannibal, and they kept on to
ward the boat.
The girl came rapidly up the path
which closely followed the irregula
line Of the shore in its windings. One
she was seen to stop and glance bacl
over her shoulder. her attitude inten
and listening, then she hurried forward
again. Just by the boat the three met
Good evening"" said Betty pleasant
ly.
The girl made no reply to this; sh
merely regarded Betty with fiXe
stare. At length she broke silenc
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