The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-02-19
CHAPTER Vl-.Continued.

81 know" she said distinctly, II am
no longer n free white woman; / am
n negro and a slave"
"Oh, you know that do your Then
you must also be aware that you are
my property. Perhaps it will be well
for you to remember this in answer
ing my questions Now tell me who
informed you Of all thsY
81 cannot answer"
"Cnnnot You mean you will not.
We, young woman, III find means to
make you, for l have handled your
kind before. Where is Eoise Beau
caire2"
"Why do you seek to find herr There
is no slave blood in her veins"
"To serve the necessary papers, Of
course"
He spoke incautIOusly, urged on by
his temper, and l marked how quickly
her face frightened at this inteli-
genCe.
"To serve papers They must be
served, then, before-before you can
take possession2 That is what l nm
derstood the sheriff to say. Then !
am not really your slave-yet?" her
voice deepening with earnestness and
understanding. "Oh, so that is how
It is-even if l am n negro l do not
belong to you until those papers have
been served. II you touch me now
you break the law. l may not be
free but l am free from you. l am
glad TO know that"
"And d-n little good 1t Is going
o do you" he growled. SHERIFF or no
Sherff my beauty, you are going to
St. Louis with me tonight; so l ad-
tse you to keep Il grip on that tongue
IF yours Do you think l am going to
be foiled altogether by n technical
,oint of law? Possession is the main
thing, and have you where you can't
et away. You hear me?"
She had not moved, although her
form had Strengthened and her hand
10 longer rested on the table. Kirby
rad stepped close in front of her his
eyes glowing with anger, his evident
Intention being to thus frighten the
yirl into compliance with his wishes,
out her eyes, defiant and unafraid,
Ooked him sQuarely In the face.
81 certainly hear" she replied
,almly. "Your voice is sufficiently
distinct am slave, suppose, and
n your power; but l despise you,
Iate you-and you are not going to
take me to ST. Louis tonight"
What can stop me? The sheriff?
Pub a few dollars will take care Of
aim. The Judge is n friend Of mine"
ut is not the sheriff-nor the Judge :;
place reliance on no friend Of
Tours."
He grasped at her arm, but she
teppCd back quickly enough to avoid
contact, and the red lips were pressed
together I'm Il thin line Of determina-
ion. Her hand had suddenly disap-
peared within the folds of her skirt !:
out the angry man, apparently blinded
ny the violence of his passion, his
4agerness to crush her spI ft, thought
)nly that she counted on outside aid
for deliverance.
you silly little fool" he snapped
his mustaChe brlstlIng. "Why, what
could you do to stop me? l could
break your neck with one hand. So
you imagine someone is going to save
you. Well, who will II be? Those
yokels down at the Landing? Haines
the lawyer? You have n surprise up
your sleeve for me- l suppose! HI!
It makes me laugh; but you might ns
well have your lesson now as any
other time. Come here, you wench Z"
He caught her arm this time, bru-
tally Jerking her toward him, but as
instantly staggered backward, grasp
ing at the table, the flash Of anger in
his eyes changing to look Of startled
surprise. A pistol was leveled full in
his face, the polished black barrel
shining ominously in the light OF the
overhead lamp.
"Now perhaps you know what |
mean," she said. 'If you dare to touch