The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-08-10

genious mind, for she sensed some
thing of that indomitable energy
which In the face of rebuffs 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 shrill whistle pierced the 81
lence that hung above the clearing.
1t was twice repeated, and the two
women were heard to go from the
cabin. Perhaps half an hour elapsed.
then a 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 convulsively
about Hannibal's. This was neither
Mrs. Hicks nor her daughter, nor
Slosson with his clumsy shuf1e. There
was a brief pause when the landing
was reached. but 1t was only momen-
tary; a hand lifted the bar. the door
was thrown open. and its space
framed the figure of q man. 1t was
John Murrell.
Standing there he regarded Betty IN
silence, but deep-seated IRE giowed
in hts sunken eyes. The sense Of pos
session was raging through him. his
temples throbbed, fever stirred his
blood. Love, such as 1t 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 .
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 judy
ments or the understanding Of them
no longer existed for him. That Bet
ty had loved Norton seemed inconse-
quential even; 1t was memory to
be swept away by the force OF his
greater passion. So he watched her
snIilingly, but back Of the smile was
the menace Of unleashed 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 1t was you-not Tom-who
had me brought herei" She could
have thanked God had It been Tom.
whose hate was not to be feared a.
she feared this mans love.
"Tom-no!" and Murrell laughed.
"You didn't think I'd give you up?
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 her.
Don't come near mel" 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 II he
dismissed some thought that had
forced itself upon him. and turned
| to Betty.
You don't ask what my purpose II
where you are concerned; you have
no curiosity on that score?" She en-
deavored to meet his glance with 9
glance as resolute, then her eyei
| sought the boys upturned face. =
am going to send you down river. Bet
ty. Later shall join you in New Or
leans, and when leave the countr,
you shall go with me"
Never" gasped Betty.
''As my wife, or however you CHOOSE
to call it. I'll teach you what q man.
love L. like" he boasted. and extend
ed bis hand. Betty shrank from him
and his hand fell at his side. HI
looked at her steadily out OF his deep
sunk eyes, in which blazed the fires o
his passion, and as he looked. he
| face nailed and flushed by turns "Yol
may learn to be kind to me. Betty.
he said. You may find 1t will b
worth your WHILE" Betty made NJ
answer; she only gathered Hanniba
closer to her side. why not accep
what I have to offer, Betty" Agail
he went nearer her. and again sh
shrank from him, but the madness o
his mood was in the ascendant. II
/ -.y,od har and drew her to him. Sh