The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-08


OF II again." he said.
Wait. Bruce. and some time-Oh,
don't make me say It," she gasped,
or / shall hate myself" for In his
presence she was feeling the horror
OF her past experience grow strangely
remote. only the dull ache OF her
memories remained. and to these she
clung. They were silent for a mo-
mont. then Darlington said
After I'm sure you'll be safe here
perhaps I'll go south into the Choctaw
Purchase. I've been thinking OF that
recently. but I'll find my way back
here At misunderstood me-lll
not come too soon for even you. Bet
~. i loved Norton. He was one OF
my best friends. too" he continued
gently. But you know-and know
dear. the day will come when no
matter where you are shall ind you
aud uCt lose you,"
Betty made no answer In words,
but soft and eloquent little hand
wss s!Ipped into his and allowed to
rest there.
Presently light wind stirred the
dead dense atmosphere. the mist lift
ed and enveloped the shore, showing
them the river between piied-up
mass OF vapor. Apparently II ran
for their raft alone. II was just twen-
ty-four hours since Darlington had
looked upon such another night. but
this was n different world the gray
fog was unmasking-a world OF hopes,
and dreams, and rich content. Then
the thought OF Norton-poor Norton
= who had had his world. too. OF hopes
and dreams and rich content
The calm OF a highly domestic ex-
istence had resumed its interrupted
sway on the raft. Mr.. Cavendish. as
sociated In Betty's memory with GER
tain earsplitting manifestations OF
ferocious rage. became In the bosom
OF his family low-voiced and genial
and hopelessly impotent to deal with
his nve small sons: while Yancy was
again the Bob Yancy of Scratch Hill,
violence OF any sort apparently had
no place In his nature. He was deep
~ absorbed In Hannibal's account OF
him during their separation. They
! were now seated before q cheerful fre
that blazed on the hearth, the boy
very close to Yancy, with one hand
ciasped In the Scratch Killers. while
about them were ranged tho SIX small
Cavendishes sedately sharing In the
reunion OF uncle and uevvy. toward
which they felt they had honorably
|6labored.
And you want dead, Uncle Bobr"
said Hannibal with q deep breath,
viewing Yancy unmistakably In the
1esh.
Never once. been floating peace
fully along with these here titled
friends OF mine: but was some snx-
\ ious about you. SON."
And Mr.. Slosson. Uncle Rob--did
you smack him like you amacked
Dave Blount that day when he tried
10 steal meg" asked Hannibal, whose
childish sense OF Justice demanded
reparation for the wrongs they had
\ suffered.
n Mr.. Yancy extended q dig right
hand. the knuckle OF which was
skinned and bruised.
He were the meanest man I ever
felt obliged TO to hit with my INST.
Nevvy; II appeared like he had teeth
all over his face"
"Sho'-where's his hide. Uncle
Bob?" cried the little Cavenriishes In
IN excited chorus. "Sho'-did you for.
Get thatr They themselves had for
gotten the unique enterprise to which
Mr.. fancy was committed. but the
allusion TO Slosson had revived their
memory OF II.
Well. be begged SO piteous TO be
allowed 10 to keep his hide, I hadn',
the heart to strip II on" explained Mr..
fancy pleasantly. And the winters
comm on-at this moment I can feel
chill In the air-don't you-all reckon
nes going to need II To- To keep the
cold out? Sno'. you mustn't be bloody-
minded"
= What was Il about Mr.. slosson.s
hide. Uncle Bob?" demanded Hanni-
bal What was you a-goin' to do
70 that?"
Why. Nevvy. after he beat me up
and throwed me In the river, I was
some peeyish TO spell In my feel
inss 10 him." said Yancy In q tone
OF gentle regret He glanced at his
bruised hand. But I'm right pleased
to be able TO say that I've got over
all them oncharitable thoughts OF
mine"
And you seen the Judge, Uncle
Bob?" questioned Hannibal.
Ies. I've seen the Judge. We was
together 10 part OF day. Me and
him gets on fine?"
Where Is he now. Uncle Boby"
II reckon he's back at Belle Plain
by this time. You see We left him In