The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-25

had led him on to his death! A sob
rose in her throat.
Hannibal looked up into her face.
The memory of his own loss was
never very long absent from his
mind, and Miss Betty had been the
victim of similarly sinister tragedy.
He recalled those first awful days OF
loneliness through which he had lived,
when there was no Uncle Bob-soft-
voiced, smiling and infinitely COM
panionable.
why, Hannibal. you are crying
what about, dear?" asked Betty sud
denly.
mo, maam; amt crying" said
Hannibal stoutly, but his wet lashes
gave the lie to his words.
Are you homesick-do you wish to
go back to the judge and Mr.. Ma
haffy"
mo, ma'am-it amt that was
just thinking
thinking about what, dear?"
About my Uncle Bob" The small
face was very wistful.
"Oh-and you still miss him so
much, Hannibal?"
Il bet do reckon anybody who
knew Uncle Bob would never get over
missing him; they just couldn't. Miss
Betty! The Judge is mighty kind,
and so is Mr. Mahaffy-they'r awful
kind, Miss Betty, and 1t seems like
they get kinder all the time-but
with Uncle Bob, when he liked you.
he just laid himself out to let you
know it,"
THAT does make a great differ
ence, doesn't it," agreed Betty sadly,
and two piteous fearful eyes were
bent upon him.
Don't you reckon If Uncle Bob is
alive, like the Judge says, and he's
ever going to find me, he had ought
to be here by now" continued Han
nibal anxlously.
But 1t hasn't been such a great
while, Hannibal; it's only that SO
much has happened to you. II he
was very badly hurt it may have been
weeks before he could travel; and
then when he could, perhaps he went
back to that tavern to try to learn
what had become of you. But We
may be quite certain he will never
abandon his search until he has made
every possible effort to find you.
dear! That means he will sooner or
later come to west Tennessee, for
there will always be the hope that
you have found your way here
"Sometimes l get mighty tired wait
ing, Miss Betty" confessed the boy.
Seems like I just couldn't wait no
longer" He sighed gently, and then
his face cleared. You reckon he'll
come most any time, don't you. Miss
Betty"
Eyes, Hannibal; any day or hour!"
"Whoop!" muttered Hannibal soft
ly under his breath. Presently he
asked: Where does that branch take
you to-" He nodded toward the
bayou at the foot of the terraced blum.
1T empties into the river" an
swered Betty.
Hannibal saw small skin beached
among the cottonwoods that grew
along the waters edge and his eyes
! lighted up instantly. He had juvenile
passion for boats.
why, you got boat, amt you.
Miss Betty" This was charming
and an important discovery.
would you like to go down to it,"
inquired Betty.
"'Deed would! Does she leak
any, Miss Betty?"
Il don't know about that. DO
boats usually leak, Hannibal?'
"Why, you amt ever been out row.
ing her, Miss Betty, have you?-and
there amt no better fun than rowing
q boat" They had started down the
path.
Il used to think that, too, Hanni'
bal; how do you suppose 1t is that
when people grow up they forget all
about the really nice things they
might do?"
What use is she il you don't go
rowing in herr" persisted Hannibal.
"Oh, but it is used. Mr.. Tom uses
1t in crossing to the other side where
they are clearing land for cotton. 1t
saves him long walk or ride about
the head of the bayou
Like I should take you out in her.
Miss Betty" demanded Hannibal with
palpitating anxiety.
They had entered the scattering
timber when Betty paused suddenly
with a startled exclamation, and Han
nibal felt her fingers close convul-
sively about his. The sound she had
heard might have been only the rust
ling of the wind among the branches
overhead In that shadowy silence, but
Betty's nerves, the placid nerves OF
youth and perfect health, were shat
tered.
Didn't you hear something, Han
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys-
teriously, and glancing in the direc-
ton he indicated, Betty saw woman
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