The Lamar register., 1912-06-26

He Wac Looking Into the Face ef
Blossom, the Tavern-keeper.
this they came to the corn-field which
lay between the house and the high
road. Following one OF the shock
rows they hurried to the mouth OF the
lane.
Hannibal. l don't want to tell the
Judge why / am leaving Belle Plain
about the woman. l mean." said
Betty.
You reckon they'd kill her, don't
you, Miss Betty. II they knew what
she'd donef" specialized the boy. 1t
occurred to him that an adequate ex-
PLANTATION OF their flight would require
preparation. since the Judge was at
all times singularly alive to the slight
est discrepancy OF statement. They
had issued from the corn-field and
went along the road toward Raleigh.
Suddenly Betty paused.
"Hark!" she whispered.
ut were nothing. Miss Betty" said
Hannibal reassuringly. and they hur-
ried forward again. In the utter still
ness through which they moved Betty
heard the beating OF her own heart.
and the soft and all but inaudible pat
ter of the boys bare feet ON the warm
dust Of the road. Vague forms that
resolved themselves into trees and
bushes seemed to creep toward them
out of the nights black uncertainty.
Once moro Betty paused.
warA nDthin0 Mgaa nattv ..tN
Hannibal as before. and he returned
to his consideration VI the Judge. He
sensed something Of that intellectual
nimbleness which his patrons physical
makeup in nowise suggested, since
his face was a mask that usually left
one in doubt as to Just how much OF
what he heard succeeded in making
its impression on him; but the boy
knew that Slocum Prices blind side
was shelterless exposure.
You don't think the carriage could
have passed us while We were cross
ing the corn-field?" said Betty.
mo, l reckon we couldn't a-missed
hearing it." answered Hannibal. He
had scarcely spoken when they
caught the rattle OF wheels and the
beat OF hoofs. These sounds swept
nearer and nearer. and the darkness
disgorged the Belle Plain team and
carriage.
"George!" cried Betty, a world OF
relief in her tones.
Whoa, you!" and George refined in
his horses with a jerk. who's dar?"
he asked, bending forward on the box
as he sought to pierce the darkness
with his glance.
George"
"Oh, 1t you. Missy?"
Yes. l wish you to drive me into
Raleigh" said Betty. and she and Han
nibal entered the carriage.
"All right. Missy. Yo'-al ready TO
me to go along out O. here?"
"Yes-drive fast, George!" urged
Betty.
Its right dark TO- fas' driving,
Missy. with the road jes' amin To- to
bus yo' springs with chuckholes!"
He had turned his horses heads in
the direction OF Raleigh while he was
speaking. Its scandalous black in
these heah woods, Missy| 'clar' l
never seen 1t no blacker!"
The carriage swung forward for per-
haps hundred years. then suddenly
the horses came to a dead stop.
Go along on, dar!" cried George,
and struck them with his whip. but
the horses only reared and plunged.
Hold on, nigger!" said rough
voice out of the darkness.
What yo' doin'?" the coachman
gasped. Don yo' know dis de Belle
Plain carriage? Take yo hans Often
dem bosses bits!"
Two men stepped to the side OF the
carriage.
SHOW your light. Bunker" said the
same rough voice that had spoken be
fore. Instantly a hooded lantern wa
uncovered, and Hannibal uttered or!
OF terror. He was looking into the
face of Slosson, the tavern-keeper.