Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-05-02

EonIf y mighty glad 70 have this
over With. Miss MaIroy he said at
length. With comprehensive sweep
toward the river
-shant your ana she opened
her eyes Questi0ningly.
mo" s1id carringkon with 4 short
laugh, drawing 3 chair near hers and
sitting down.
Betty, in surprise, gave him . quick
look, and then a. quickly glanced
away from what she encountered mi
his eyes. Az she looked suddenly
pale points OF light appeared ON ! ais
tant headiand.
Is that New Madrid-Oh. IL II, Mr.
Carringtoniv she cried eagerly.
Il reckon So but he did not aitsr'
his position.
:.But you're not lookingss
yes, amrm looking at you.
reckon you'll think me crazy. Miss
Malroy preSumptuous and ali that
hut wish Memphis could be wiped
on the map and that we could 60 on
like this for evergr
You mustn't talk SOL am nothing
to you
Yes. you are. You're everything
to me" said Darlington doggedly.
You shall love me-" She was pow
erless in his embrace. She felt his
breath on her cheek, then he kissed
her Suddenly his arms fell at his
side; his face was white. 4 was
brute to do that-Betty, forgive mel
am sorry-no. / can't be sorry!"
They were alongside the New Mad
rid wharf now, and certain young
man who had been impatiently watch
ing The Maids lights ever since they
became visible crossed the gang-plank
with bound.
"Betty-why in the name OF good
ness did you ever choose this tub?"
said the newcomer.
Charley"
Darlington stepped back. This
must be the brother who had come up
the river from Memphis to meet her
but her brothers name was Toni
He looked this stranger-this Charley
over with a hostile eye:
~
All that day Hannibal was haunted
by the memory of what he had heard
and seen at Slosson's tavern. More
than this, there was his terrible sense
OF loss, and the grief he could not
master. Marking the course of the
road westward, he chung to the woods,
where his movements were as stealthy
as the very shadows themselves.
Presently, as he stumbled forward,
he came to small clearing In the
center of which stood log dwelling.
The place seemed deserted
Tilted back in chair by the door
OF this house a man was sleeping.
The boot OF an owl from a nearby
oak reused him. He yawned and
stretched himself, thrusting out his
fat legs and extending his great
arms. Then becoming aware of that
path as he slept and now stood be-
fore him in the uncertain light, he
fell to rubbing his eyes with the
small figure which had stolen up the
knuckles OF his plump hands.
who are your" he demanded.
I'm Hannibal Wayne Hazard"
said the boy. The man quilted his
chair.
Well am glad to know you,
Hannibal Wayne Hazard. / am Slo-
cum Price-Judge Slocum Price,
sometime major-general Of militia and
ex-member Of congress. to mention
few of those honors my fellow coun-
trymen have thrust upon me-" He
made sweeping gesture with his. two
hands outspread and bowed ponder
ously
The boy saw a man OF sixty, whose
gross and battered yisage told its own
story. There was a sparse white
frost about his ears; and his eyes.
pale blue and prominent, looked out
from under beetling brows. He wore
a shabby plum-colored coat and tight,
'drab hreeches. About his fat neck
was black stock.
You don't belong in these parts,
do your" asked the judge, when he
had completed his scrutiny.
No, SIR, answered the boy. He
glanced off down the road, where
lights were visible among the trees.
What town is that?"
.'Pleasantville- is q lie-but
/ am neither sufi GENTLY drunk nor
sufficiently sober to cope with the pos
sibilities your question offers. Have
you SO much as fifty cents about
your" and the judges eyes narrowed
to slit above their folds OF puny
flesh. Hannibal, keeping his glance
fixed on the mans face, fell back
step. Il can't let you go If you are
penniless--I can't do thatI" cried the
Judge. with sudden yehemence. You
shall be my guest for the night.
They're pack OF thietes at the tav-
ern." he lowered his voice. II know
en-, for they've plucked mel" He
rested fat hand on the boys
shoulder and drew him gently but
firmly into the shanty. With flint and
steel he made light, and presently
a candle was suffering in his hands.
He fitted it into the neck Of tall
bottle. and as the light fiared up the 4
boy glanced about him.
The interior was mean enough,
with its rough walls, dirt floor and
black, cavernous fireplace. ANshake-
down bed in one corner of the room
was tastefully screened from the pub
~ II