Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-08-22
THE
pRODICAL>
JUDGE
{ By NAUGHAnKEsTER
AKNST;P4770N5 BY n



their sockets. There across the sun.
lit stretch OF water was Betty-the
thought Of her brought him to quick
choking terrors. The whole fabric OF
crime by which he had been benefited
In che past or had expected to profit
in the future seemed topping In upon
him, but his mind cIutched one i'm
portant fact. Hues, II he knew OF
Betty's disappearance, did not con-
meet Murrell with it. Ware sucked in
COMFORT between his twitching lips.
Stealing niggers! No one would be-
lieye that he, planter, had hand in
that, and for a BRIEF instant he con-
sidered signaling Boss to return. Sios-
SON must be told OF Murrelrs arrest :
but he was sick with apprehension,
some trap might have been prepared
for him, he could not know; and the
impulse to act forsook him.
He smote his hands together in a
hopeless, beaten gesture. And Muir
rell had gone weak-with his own
eyes he had seen Decentralization
he believed without fear! He felt that
he had been grievously betrayed in
his trust and a hot rage poured
through him. At last he climbed in
to the saddle. and, swaying like a
drunken man, galloped on.
When he reached the river road
he paused and scanned its dusty sur
face. Hues and his party had turned
south when they issued from the wood
path. No doubt Murrell was being
taken to Memphis. Ware laughed
harshly. The outlaw would be free
before another dawn broke.
He had halted near where Jim had
turned his team the previous night
after Betty and Hannibal had left the
carriage; the marks OF the wheels
were as plainly distinguishable as the
more recent trail left by the four men.
and as he grasped the significance OF
that wide half circle his sense of in
jury overwhelmed him again. He
hoped to live to see Murrell hanged!
He was SO completely lost in his
bitter reflections that he had been an
aware of mounted man who was
but now he heard the steady pounding
of hoofs and, startled by the sound,
looked up. A moment later the horse
man drew rein,at his side.
''Ware!" he cried.
How are you. Carrington?' said
the planter.
You are wanted at Belle Plain" be-
gan Darlington, and seemed to hesi-
tate.
''Yes-yes, am going there at once
now" stammered Ware, and gath
cred up his reins with shaking hand
You've heard, take it," said Car
rington slowly.
YES" answered Ware, in a hoarse
whisper. MY God, Darlington, I'm
heart sick; she has been like daugh-
ter to mel he fell silent, mop
ping his face.
Il think understand your feeling, :
said Darlington, giving him a level
glance.
Then you'll excuse me-, and the
planted clapped spurs to his horse.
Once he looked back over his shout
der; he saw that Darlington had not
moved from the spot where they had
met
At Belle Plain, Ware found his
neighbors in possession of the place.
They greeted him quietly and spoke
in subdued tones Of their sympathy.
When he could he shut himself in
his room. He had experienced day
Of maddening anxiety; he had not
slept at all the previous night; in
mind and body he was worn out; and
now he was plunged into the thick OF
this sensation. He must keep control
of himself.
He sought to forecast the happen
ings of the next few hours. Murrells
friends would break jail for him, that
was foregone conclusion; but the
insurrection he had planned was at
an end Hues had dealt its death
blow. Moreover, though the law
might be impotent to deal with Muir
rell, he could not hope to escape the
vengeance of the powerful class he
had plotted to destroy; he would have
to quit the country. Ware gloated in
this idea of craven flight. Thank
God, he had seen the last of him!
But, as always, his thoughts came
back to Betty. Slosson would wa1trat
Hicks place for the man MurrelI had
promised him, and. falling the mes
senger, for the signal fire, but there
would be neither; and Slosson would
be left to determine his own course Of
action. Ware felt certain that he
would wait through the night. but as
sure as the morning broke. il no word
had reached him, he would send one