Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1919-10-31
CHAPTER Vl-contInued,

klONy CilC GtNAN NlSAAlANGAN3 $3.50 |
no longer a free white woman; I am
a negro and slave"
ooh, you know that do you? Then
YOU must also be aware that you are
my property. Perhaps 1t will be well
for you to remember this in answer
ing my questions. Now tell me who
informed you Of all thls?"
II cannot answer"
"Cannotl You mean you will not.
Well young woman, I'll find means to
make you, for l have handled your
kind before. Where is Eloise Beau
calre%
"Why do you seek to find her? There
is no slave blood in her veins"
ITO serve the necessary papers, Of
course"
He spoke incautiously, urged on by
his temper, and I marked how quickly
her face frightened at this intelll-
gence.
ITO serve papers They must be
served, then, before-befOre you can
take possession? That is what un-
derstood the sheriff to say. Then l
am not really your slave-yetf" her
voice deepening with earnestness and
understanding. ooh, so that is how
it is-even if I am a negro do not
belong to you until those papers have
been served. If you touch me now
"a 10 I hn
free but I am free from you. l am
glad to know that"
"And d--n little good it Is going
to do you" he growled, SHERIFF or no
sheriff my beauty, you are going to
ST. Louis with me tonight; so | adj
wise you to keep a grip on that tongue
of yours. Do you think l am going to
be foiled altogether by technical
point of law? Possession Is the main
thing, and have you where you can't
get away. You hear me?"
She had not moved although her
form had Strengthened and her hand
no longer rested on the table Kirby
had stepped close in front of her, his
eyes glowing with anger, his evident
intention being to thus frighten the
girl into compliance with his wishes
but her eyes, defiant and unafraid
looked him sIuarely in the face.
81 certainly hear" she replied
calmly. "YQur voice is sufficiently
distinct. I am a slave, I suppose anC
in your power; but l dcspise you
hate you-and you are not going Il
take me to st. Louis tonight
"What can stop me? The sheriff
Pub! a few dollars will take care o
him. The judge is a friend of mine.
at is not the sheriff-nor the judge
place reliance on no friend o
yours"
He grasped at her arm, but sh
stepped back quickly enough to avoi
contact. and the red lips were presse
together in a thin line Of determine
ton. Her hand had suddenly disaT
peared within the folds of her skirt
but the angry man, apparently biinde
by the violence Of his passion, hi
eagerness to crush her spirit, though
only that she counted on outside al
for deliyerance,
"You silly little fool" he snapped
his mustache brlstling "Why, Whf
could you do to stop me? l coul
break your neck with one hand. 5
YOU imagine someone Is going to say
you. Well, who will 1t be? ThoS
yokels down at the Landing? Haint
the lawyer You have a surprise L
your sleeve for me, suppose! H
It makes me laugh; but you might
we'll have your lesson now as ar
other time. Come here, you we1ch
He caught her arm this time, br
tally Jerking her toward him, but
instantly staggered backward gras
ing at the table, the flash of anger
his eyes changing to look of stGrtl'
surprise. A pistol was leveled full
his face, the polished black barr
shining Ominously in the light of t
overhead lamp.
"Now perhaps you know what
mean" she said. "If you dare to tou
me | will kill you like dog. tn
Is no threat; 1t is true as Gods g
pel," and the very tone OF her vol
carried conviction. "You may say
am a slave-your slave! That may
so, but you will never possess me
never! Life means nothing to
any more, and never expect to
out of this house alive; do not ev
care TO. SO am not afraid of you.
not drop your arms, you low-liyed C
for you have aever been nearer del