The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-28

her lap.
 Deep woods stretched on either side of the road. Their stiffness was pro- found The enveloping gloom seemed as Of the grave itself. The woman shuddered and drew her shawl closer.
 Lord ha' mercy"' she spoke. "I can't do it, Jesse-I can't! It's worse'n murder-worse'n what's been done a'readTr
 The man latd a cruel lash across his horses Hanks. "You foolH' he nut tered. Its high time I brung you away! You lovesick fool!"
 The girls eyes flashed su1Ienly ''That words a Her she retorted be a-dotn that if I was lovesick for somebody else? It's a lie, and you know it!"
 The man laughed. 'tIf you had stay ed where you was you'd h. blabbed the whole thing out and you'd be in jail now stead O him."
 Suddenly the woman threw her arms upward. "It'T ha'nt me to my dyin' dayv' she cried. "I ought to ha' told the truthI I wish I had! I wish I hadi It couldn't be no worse'n it is nowH'
 ''I say that it couldr' savagely re- turned the man. "You keep your mouth shut. I got all I can do to save us as it is, 'thout'n you waggin' your tongue. You keep your mouth shut!"
 The woman passed her hands over her face mfseFably.
 The man again slouched down in his seat. Now and then his moody glance turned apprehensively to his compan- ion.
 "I've done a whole lot for your sake, Lottfe-May,'' he spoke at last. 'I could ha' got away long ago. I'm talk in big chances on your account. And you don't seem to care.'
 Lottie-May Doggetts face grew shamed. ''Yes,, do, Jesse!'' she ex- claimed. 'I know just what you're doin' for me. The only show I got is to go with you. And you mustn't think I don't appreciate it.'' Her hands f1uttered piteously at her throat. My GodP' she cried, her voice break ing in anguish '"Tom Strickland's goin' to be hung! He's goin' to be hung! They ain't no4hin' on earth can save hi1n!''
 Far in the east the gray dawn was breaking.
 "D-n Tom stricklandr' cursed the man. ''kH be glad when he is hung! lou we aIWdyb US5A 1OV0 H1Cn Q1n.
 He's gcin' to be hungr' repeated the girl. And they ain't no way to save him nowr'
 An evil meckery leaped into the mans face. 'Oh, yes, there's a way" he retorted. "You go back there to that trial and confess the truth. You're the only one on Gods earth that can save him. Atn't that soT' The girls face whitened. As the man spoke they had turned from the pike road and were going deeper into the woods. A scant light of day had come. The faces of the two were | haggard and worn.
 ''Yes, Pm the only One!' cried Lot tie-May Doggett suddenly. And that's what "a do now if had the chance tell the whole truth. I ain't thinkin' no more about me. I ain't thinkin' no more about you. I'm thinkin' about Tom Strickland!'
 A forlorn and diIapidated cabin was l revealed in a barren little opening ahead. The man laughed aloud as he saw it.
 You'll have to take it out in think in, Lottie- -MayY' he exclaimed trium- phantIy. i've got you now where you are safe When you and me leave that shack tonight there'H be no more talk O you savin' Tom Strickland. We'll be headed straight for Oklahoma then, and nothin' can stop usT" | The girls eyes rested on the miser- i able little cabin. An ominous light was in them. The man drew up at the | hut and assisted his companion from the wagon. He pushed open a creak- ing door. The cabins interior showed | black and forbidding. l That's where we stay till night l time,'' he said. +'I'n take the horse and wagon round where they won't be seen if anybody happens to come along. And I don't want no more O your foolishness, Lottie-Mayr'
 The girl started as if struck. Don't l talk to me like thatr' she cried. 'I ain't your nigger yet. I ain't got to do 1 anything don't feel like doin'. You're takin' too much for granted, JesseH' The man seemed to lose all patience at this. Grasping the girl by the shoul- 1 ders he forced her into the hut. Then 1 he disappeared. A moment later he returned
 l The girl was standing against the wall. Her face was buried in her 1 arms. Sobs shook her body The man | closed the door behind him. CHAPTER XIII. 1 Capture and Trial.