Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-07-03

morning in dreary speculation con-
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-
sonabIy 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-apIeAr-
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 rebuns ana
laughter carried him into the thick or
every sensation.
At noon Mrs. Hicks. as sulIen as in
the morning, brought them their din
ner. She had scarcely quilted the loft
when shrilI whistle pierced the 81
lence that hung above the clearing.
II was twice repeated. and the two
women were heard to go from the
cabin Perhaps half an hour elapsed.
then step became audible on the
packed earth OF the doOryard. Some
I one entered the room below and be-
gan TO ascend the narrow stairs. and
Betty's fingers closed conyulsiveiy
about Hannibals 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 Murrell.
Standing there he regarded Betty In
silence. but deep-seated fire glowed
in his sunken eyes. The sense OF pos
session was raging through him, his
temples throbbed, a fever stirred his
blood. Love. such as it was, he I'M
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 a
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
ty had loved Norton seemed inconse-
quential even; 1t was a 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 unleashei 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 It was you-not Tom-who
had me brought here!" She could
have thanked God had it been Tom.
NnOSE nate was uOL " NC a.
she feared this mans love.
''Tom-noi" and Murrel laughed.
"You didn't think I'd give you up? 1
am standing with 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 so. and took step to-
ward ner.
DOM come near me-" cried Betty.
Her eyes blazed. and she looked at
him with loathing.
You'll learn to be kinder" 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-
tainty passed over his face. then he
made an impatient gesture as if 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 have
no curiosity on that scorer" 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
". Later shall join you in New Or
leans, and when leave the country
you shall go with me"
Never" gasped Betty.
AS my wife. or however you choose
to call it. I'll teach you what mans
lore is like" he boasted. and extend
ed his hand. Betty shrank from MIN.
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 her 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 I'M
/ gers frightened about her.