The Red Cloud chief., 1912-05-02

Oh ShO a10Rt OAAN SAoS "O SSNsN o. -
like this for ever!"
"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 hts
breath on her cheek. then he kissed
her. Suddenly his arms fell at his
side; his face was white. Il was q
brute to do that-Betty, forgive me!
I 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 tubT
said the newcomer.
Charley"
Darlington stepped back. Tits
must be the brother who had come up
the river from Memphis to meet her
but her brothers name was Tom!
Ilc lOOhcu tulS ShoAASy
over with hostile eye. offended BY
his good looks, his confident manner.
In which he thought he detected an
air OF ownership, as if-certainly he
was holding her hands longer than
was necessary. An instant later, when
Betty. remembering, turned to speak
to him, his place by the rail was de.
serted.
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 clupg to the woods,
where his movements were as stealthy
as the very shadows themselves.
Presently. as he stumbled forward.
he came to Q small clearing in the
center Of which stood log dwelling.
The place seemed deserted.
Tilted back In chair by the door
Of this house q man was sleeping.
The boot of an owl from q 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 a. 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 bis
chair.
"Well-I 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 q
few Of those honors my fellow coun
trymen have thrust upon me-" he
made sweeping gesture with his two
hands outspread and bowed ponder
oWly.
The boy saw q man OF sixty, whose
gross and battered visage told its OWL
story. There was q sparse white
frost about his ears: and his eyes
pale blue and prominent. looked ou,
from under beetling brows. He wor,
shabby plum.colored coat and tight
drab breeches. About his fat necl
was black stock. with Just sug
gestion OF soiled linen showing abov,
It, His figure was corpulent and un
wieldy.
you don't belong in these parts
do your" asked the Judge. when b,
had completed his scrutiny.
mo. sir" answered the boy. H,
glanced on down the road. wher'
lights were visible among the trees
What town Is that?"
"Pleasantville--which Is a lie-bu
am neither sufficiently drunk no
sufficiently sober to cope with the poi
sibilities your question offers. Hav
you so much as fifty cents abou
your" and the Judges eyes narrowe
to slit above their folds OF pun
flesh. Hannibal. keeping his glanc
fixed on the mans face. fell back
step. Il can't let you 60 II you ar
penniless--I can't do that!" cried tn
Judge. with sudden vehemence| "Yo
shall be my guest for the nigh
They're pack of thieves at the Ia,
| ern," he lowered his voice. Il kno,
l 'em. for they've plucked mel" II
l rested . fat hand on the boy
shoulder and drew him gently bu
y firmly into the shanty. With flint an
steel he made light. and present.
! candle was sputtering In bis hand
He fitted It into the neck Of q ta
:! bottle. and as the light fiared up Ii
boy glanced about him.
The interior was mean enoug
with its rough walls. dirt noor an
h black. cavernous fireplace. A shak
= down bed In one corner OF the roo
was tastefully screened from the pu
lie gase by q tattered quilt.
(To BE CONTINUED.)
Peculiar.