Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-27
4 necessary to explain that he was


himself largely responsible for this.
How do you know that?" demanded
Ware.
He as good as said so." Hicks look.
ed uneasily at the planter. He knew
himself to be compromised. The
stranger named Cavendish had forced
an admission from him that Murrel
would not condone If it came to hi
knowledge He had also acquired
very proper and wholesome fear o.
Judge Slocum Price. He stepped clos.
Ito Wares side. "What'll come Of tht
Igirl, Tom? Can you figure that out?'
iihe questioned, sinking his voice al
most to a whisper. But Ware was
incapable Of speech, again his terrors
completely overwhelmed him. Il reck-
on you'll have to find another over
seer. I'm going to strike out for Tex
as" said Hicks.
Wares eyes met his for an instant
He had thought Of flight, too, was still
thinking of it, but greed was as much
a part Of his nature as fear; Belle
Plain was a prize not to be lightly
cast aside, and 1t was almost his. He
lurched across the room to the win
dow. If he were going to act, the soon
er he did so the better, and gain res
pite from his fears. The road down
the coast slid away before his heavy
eyes, he marked each turn; then a
palsy of fear shook him, his heart
beat against his ribs, and he stood
gnawing his lips while he gazed up
at the sun.
do you get what I say, Tom? I'm
going to quit these parts" said Hicks.
Ware turned slowly from the window
"All right, Hicks. You mean you
want me to settle with you, Is that it?''
he asked.
| Yes, I'm going to leave while I can,
maybe 1 can't later on" said Hicks
stolidly. He added: II am going to
start down the coast as soon as 1t
turns dark, and before it's day again
I'll have put the good miles between
me and these parts"
You're going down the coast?" and
Ware was again conscious of the
quickened beating Of his heart Hicks
nodded. "See you don't meet up with
John Murrell," said Ware.
I'll take that chance. 1t seems
heap better to me than staying here"
Ware looked from the window. The
shadows were lengthening across the
lawn.
Better start now, Hicks" he ad-
vised.
I'll wait until dark"
You'll need a horse"
I was going to help myself to one.
This amt no time to stand on cere-
mony," said Hicks shortly.
"Slosson shouldn't be left in the
lurch like this-or your brothers folks
They'll have to figure 1t out for
themselves same as me-" rejoined
Hicks.
You can stop there as you go by
NO" said Hicks; II never did be-
lieve in this damn foolishness about
the girl, and l won't go near Georges
l."
81 don't ask you to go there, you
can give them the signal from the head
of the bayou. All I want Is for you
to stop and light a fire on the shore.
They'll know what that means. I'll
give you a horse and fifty dollars for
the Job"
Hicks eyes sparkled, but he only
said:
Make it twice that and maybe we
can deal"
Racked and tortured, Ware hesi-
tated; but the sun was slipping into
the west, his windows blazed with the
hot light.
You swear you'll do your part?" he
said thickly. He took his purse from
his pocket and counted out the amount
due Hicks. He named the total and
paused irresolutely.
Don't you want the fire lighted?"
asked Hicks. He was familiar with
his employers vacillating moods.
Yes" answered Ware. his lips quiv-
ering; and slowly, with shaking fin
gers, he added to the pile of bills in
Hicks hand.
We'll, take care Of yourself" said
Hicks when the count was complete.
He thrust the roll Of bills into his
pocket and moved to the door.
Alone again, the planter collapsed
into his chair, breathing heavily, but
his terrors swept over him and left
him with a savage sense Of triumph.
This passed, he sprang up, intending
to recall Hicks and unmake his bar
gain. What had he been thinking of
safety lay only in flight. Before he
reached the door his greed was in the
ascendant. He dropped down on the
edge of his bed, his eyes fixed on the
window. The sun sank lower. From
where he sat he saw through the up
per half Of the sash, blood-red and liv-
id I'm a mist of fieecy clouds.
1t was in the tops Of the old oaks
now, which sent their shadows into
his room. Again maddened by his ter
rors he started up and backed toward
the door; but again his greed, the one
dominating influence in his life, van
quished him.
| He watched the sun sink. He watch
ed the red splendor fade over the riv-
er; he saw the first stars appear. He
told himself that Hicks would soon
be gone-if the fire was not to be
lighted he must act at once! He stole
to the window. 1t was dusk now, yet
he could distinguish the distant wood
ed boundaries Of the great fields franz
ed by the darkening sky. Then IN the
silence he heard the thud of hoots.
| (To be ContinuedD.
| Price of Damnation.-Judge Hiram