The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-02-13
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

8
II know" she said distinctly, 81 an
no longer a free white woman; l an
negro and a slave"
"Oh, you know that, do you? Their
you must also be aware that you are
my property. Perhaps it will be wei
for you to remember this in answer
ing my questions. Now tell me who
Informed you of all this?"
Il cannot answer"
Cannot! You mean Y III will not
Well, young woman, I'll find means to
make you, for 1 have handled your
kind before. Where is Eloise Beau
caire?"
''Why do you seek to find her2 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 intelli-
gence.
ITO serve papers! They must be
served, then, before-before you can
take possession? That is what I I'M
derstood the sheriff to say. Then 1
am not really your slave-yet?" her
voice deepening with earnestness and
understanding. "Oh, so that is how
1t fs-even if I am a negro 1 do not
belong to you until those papers have
been served. If you touch me now
you break the law I may not be
free but / am free from you. / am
glad to know that I"
"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 1 adj
wise you TO keep grip on that tongue
Of yours. Do you think l am going to
be foiled altogether by q 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 brighten the
girl into compliance with his wishes,
but her eyes. defiant and unafraid, |
looked him squarely in the face.
ST certainly hear" she replied |
calmly. "Your voice is sufficiently |
distinct. I am slave, suppose, and |
in Jour power; but 1 despise you,
hate you-and you are not going to
take me to st. Louis tonight"
"'Vhat can stop me? The sheriff? |
Pub! few dollars will take care of
bin. The judge is friend of mine"
at is not the sheriff-nor the Judge;
yours"
He grasped at her arm, but she
stepped back quickly enough to avoid
contact, and the red lips were pressed
together in Q thin line of determine
ton. Her hand had suddenly disap-
peared within the folds of her skirt
but tie angry man, apparently blinded
by the violence Of his passion, his
to crush her spirit, though!
oily that she counted on outside aid
for deliverance.
"You silly little fool" he snapped,
MS mustache bristling. "Why, what
could you do to stop me? / could
break your neck with one hand. So
you imagine someone is going to save
you. Well, who will it be? Those
fokels down at the Landing? Haines
he lawyer? You have surprise up
your sleeve for me, I supposed Hill
t makes me laugh; but you might as
veil have your lesson now as any
,ther time. Come here, you wench y
He caught her arm this time, bru-
ally jerking her toward him, but as
staggered backward, grasp
ng at the table, the flash Of anger in
lis eyes changing to look OF startled y
urprjse. A pistol was leveled full in
lis face, the polished black barrel
Inning ominously In the light of the I"
yerhead lamp. il
"Now perhaps you know what
1ean," she said. IF you dare to touch h
ae will kill you like dog. That l.
J no threat; 1t is true as Gods gos- y
el," and the very tone Of her voice
arrfed conviction. you may say m
N slave-your slave! That may be g
D, but you will never possess me- II
ever Life means nothing to me. o,
~ more, and never expect to go 8,
Ut OF this house alive; do not even tt
ire to. So am not afraid Of you. Do
Il drop your Artns, you low-lived cur, II
= 20 hAvo nsvae haen nearer death ii