Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-16

lforgetfulness came to Betty. She was
waiting for what-she did not know!
The candle burnt lower and lower and
finally went out and she was left In
darkness, but again she was conscious
of sounds from the room below. AT
first it was only a word or sentence,
then the guarded speech became
steady monotone that ran deep into
1.-The night eventually this ceased and
Betty fancied she heard sobs.
At length points Of light began to
show through chinks in the logs. Han
Inibal reused and sat up, rubbing his
leyes with the back Of his hands.
wasn't you able to sleep none?" he
inquired. Betty shook her head. he
looked at her with an expression OF
troubled concern. How soon do you
reckon the Judge will know?" he asked.
VERY soon, dear" Hannibal was
greatly consoled by this opinion.
Miss Betty, he will love to find
us"
'Hark! What was that?" for Betty
had caught the distant splash OF oars.
Hannibal found a chink In the logs
Through which by dint Of much squint-
ling he secured partial view OF the
bayou.
THEY'RE fetching up a keel boat 70
the shore, Miss Betty-it's whooper!"
L., Dattx,bo haorf aank ahe
never doubted. the purpose for which
that boat was brought into the bayou,
or that 1t nearly concerned herself.
Half an hour later Mrs. Hicks ap-
peared with their breakfast. 1t was
in vain that Betty attempted to en-
gage her in conversation, either she
cherished some personal feeling OF
dislike for her prisoner, or else the
situation in which she herself was
placed had little to recommend II,
even to her dull mind, and her dis
satisfaction was expressed in her at
titude toward the girl
Betty passed the long hours OF
morning in dreary speculation con-
cerning what was happening at Reile
Plain. In the end she realized that
the day could go by and her absence
occasion no alarm; Steve might rea-
sonably suppose George had driven
her into Raleigh or to the Bowens' and
that she had kept the carriage. FL
nally all her hope centered on Judge
Price. He would expect Hannibal dur
ing the morning, perhaps when the boy
did not arrive he would be tempted to
go out to Belle Plain to discover the
reason of his appearance. She
wondered what theories. would oner
themselves to his ingenious mind, for
she sensed something of that indomit-
able energy which in the face Of re-
bluffs and laughter carried him into
the thick of every sensation.
| At noon, Mrs Hicks, as sullen as In
the morning, brought them their din
ner She had scarcely quilted the loft
when a shrill whistle pierced the ST.
Hence that hung above the clearing. 1t
was twice repeated, and the two wo-
men were heard to go from the cabin.
Perhaps half an hour elapsed, then
step became audible or the packed
earth of the door yard; some one en-
tered the room below and began to
ascend the narrow stairs, and Betty's
fingers closed convulsively about Han
nibals. This was neither Mrs. Hicks
nor her daughter, nor Slosson with
his clumsy shuttle. There was brief
pause when the landing was reached,
but 1t was only momentary; a hand
lifted the bar, the door was thrown
open, and it's space framed the figure
of a man. 1t was John Murrell.
Standing there he regarded Betty in
silence, but a deep seated fire glowed
in his sunken eyes. The sense of pos
session was raging through him, his
temples throbbed, fever stirred his
blood. Love, such as 1t was, he un-
doubtedly felt for her, and even his
giant project with all its monstrous
ramifications was lost sight of for the
moment. She was the inspiration for
It all, the goal and reward toward
which he struggled.
| Betty" the single word fell softly
from his lips. He stepped into the
room, closing the door as he did so.
The girls eyes were dilating with
mute horror, for by some swift intu-
Iitive process of the mind, which asked
nothing of the logic of events, but dealt
only with conclusions, Murrell stood
revealed as Norton's murderer. Per-
haps he read her thoughts, but he had
lived in his degenerate ambitions un-
til the common judgments or the un-
understanding Of them no longer ex-
listed for him. That Betty had loved
Norton seemed inconsequential even;
lit was a memory to be swept away by
the force of his greater passion. So
he watched her smilingly, but back Of
the smile was the menace of unleash
ed impulse.
Cant YOU find some word of well
come for me- Betty?" he asked at
length, still softly, still with something
OF entreaty in his tone.
'Inen IL was yOu-uot loiH WI"
had me brought here!" She could have
thanked God had it been Tom, whose
hate was not to be feared as she fear
!. ed this mans love.
"Tom-no!" Murrell laughed. you
!: didn't think I'd give you up? l am
: standing with a halter about my neck,
and all for your sake-who'd risk as
, much for love of you?" he seemed to
expand with savage pride that this
was so, and took step toward her.
Don't come near mel" cried Betty.
, Her eyes blazed and she looked at him
with loathing.
, you'll learn to be kinder" he ex-
ulted. You wouldn't see me at Belle
Plain; what was left for me hut to
/ have you brought here?"
While Murrell was speaking, the
/ signal that told of his own presence on
( the opposite shore of the bayou was
l heard again. This served to arrest Ills
attention. A look of uncertainty pass
| ed over his face then he made an i'm