Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-07-18

|II-[LIL| - UII4II. .|.E NI4tI-. 80
c1f1Iny what Nna tatntni11 & 1tIl1
plain. In fhs end che roali<ed that
the d1y could go by and her absence
recession 10 alarm. Steve might rec,
5onahly suppose George had driven
hef into Raidlgh OF to the Bowen
and that sn6 bad kept the carriage,
Finally all her hope centsred on jndBo
Price He would expect Hannibal dur
Ing the mornine; perhaps when the
boy did not arrive he would bes tempt.
ed to go out to Belle Plain to dIe-
cover the reason Of his non-appeaf-
ance. She wondered what theories
would offer themselves to his IN
genious mind. for she ssnsed some
thing Of that indomitable energy.
which IN the race OF rebuns and
laughter carried him into the thick Of
every sensation.
At noon Mrs. Hicks. as suIlen as IN
the morning, brought them their din
ner. She had scarcely quilted the loft
When q shriil whistle pierced the 81
ience that hung above the clearing.
It was twice repeated. and the two
women were heard to 90 from the.
cabin Perhaps hair an hour elapsed.
then step became audible on the
packed earth OF the dooryard. Some
one entered the room below and be-
gan to ascend the narrow stairs. and
Betty's fingers closed conyulsively
about HannibaIs 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; hand lifted the bar, the door
was thrown open. and its space
framed the figure Of = man. 1t was
John Murrell.
Standing there he regarded Betty IN
silence, but q deep-seated fire glowed
In his sunken eyes. The sense OF pos
session was raging through him, his
temples throbbed, fever stirred his
blood. Love, such as it was, he un-
doubtedly felt for her, and even his
giant project, with all its monstrous
ramifications, was lost sight OF for the
moment. She was the inspiration for
1t 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, which
asked nothing OF the logic OF events
but dealt only with conclusions, Muir
rell stood revealed as Norton's MUIR
derer. Perhaps he read her thoughts,
but he had lived In his degenerate
ambitions until the common judG-
ments or the understanding OF them
no longer existed for him. That Bet
II had loved Norton seemed incense
Quential even: 1t was memory to
be swept away by the force OF his
greater passion. So he watched her
smilingly. but back Of the smile was
the menace OF unleashed impulse.
Cant you find some word of vel
come for me, Betty?" he asked ut
length. still softly. still with some-
thing Of entreaty In his tone.
Then 1t was you-not Tom-who
had me brought here!" She could
have thanked God had 1t been Tom.
whose hate was not to be feared az
she feared this mans love.
''Tom-no!" and Murrell laughed.
You didn't think I'd give you up? 1
am standing with a halter about my
neck, and all for your sake-who'd
risk as much for love OF your" He
seemed to expand with savage pride
that this was 80, and took step to-
ward her.
Don't come near mes cried Betty.
Her eyes blazed, and she looked at
him with loathing.
You'll learn to be kinder" ne 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-
tainty 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 IL
where you are concerned; you have
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.
Gas my wife, or however you choose
to call it. I'll teach you what mans
love 10 like he boosted, and 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 bIazed 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 ind 1t will DO
worth your while Betty made no
answer; she only gathered Hannibal
closer to her side. Why not ACCEPT
what have to oifer. Betty z. Again
he went nearer her. and again she
shrank from him, but the madness or
his mood was In the ascendant. He
seized her and drew her to him. she
struggled to free herself, but his In.
gers frightened about her.
Gro BE coNTINUED.)
s i 4