The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-06-09
CONTINUED from last week


Il wonder what's happening
down there nowT Mrs. Wilbert
said; "Old Silas done let them
hounds out again"
1T sounds as they are down
near our field.' Cynthia said. as
a frightened look crept into her
eyes.
Il wonder what's keeping
Dave" Mrs. Wilbert murmured to
herself, as she arose and shuffled
feebly to the other end of the
porch and tried to peer through
the semi-darkness over the we'll
kept farm
MA, think I'd better go and
see about him." Cynthia said. BE
cause can hear strange voices
and" Her voice trailed off into
thin air. She saw the hedges part
and Dave came crawling through.
his clothes bloody and torn, and
his dark face drenched with pers-
piration. She ran to meet him,
throwing her arms about his neck.
Apparently, something desperate
had happened during his brief alb
sence. He wrenched himself from
her embrace. and rushed into the
house. Cynthia and his mother
frantically followed him. ii e
quickly secured a shirt and a pair
OF dark trousers.
Whats happened?" Cynthia al
most screamed, as the suspense
became too much for her.
They're after me-" Dave said,
as he nervously donned clean
clothing. II haven't done anything.
Steve tricked me into this. You
can't do that. Ma" he exclaimed.
as Mrs. Wilbert's tiny, worn body
sank into big rocking chair, and
her eyes closed In a faint.
1t had dawned on her what had
happened to Dave. The same ira
gedy had happened to hundreds of
colored youths, although the ma
ority had been innocent of crimes
charged against them. Now he.
Dave Wilbert. had been caught in
such a trap, trap set by ruth
less, scheming, poor white farm
hand.
Take care OF Ma, Cynthia."
Dave whispered, his eyes darting
nervously in all directions. In them
lurked the fear OF one who is
hunted.
"But Dave, where are you 60
ingT' Cynthia pleaded. II don't
understand"
They'll tell you soon enough"
Dave said. But remember. always,
l didn't do It, Tell Ma, I didn't do
II. He tricked me-"
With these words. he dashed out
into the night, leaving Cynthia
casing and wondering. 1t was un-
believable. She was dumbfounded,
but was convinced her brother had
not committed any crime.
Like one In a daze, the girl
brought water to revive the limp
figure in the old rocking chair.
my boy! He didn't do it," the
old lady stammered, as the cool
water revived her.
Everything is going to be al
right. Ma" Cynthia comforted her.
Meanwhile a group of men. led by
the enraged Silas Hornsby. left the
scene where his daughter had been
found wounded. They made their
way through the Wilbert field,
like a pack OF blood thirsty wolves.
I'm scared!" Mrs. Wilbert
shuddered, as she heard the bay
ing hounds and shouting men APP
preaching her home.
Cynthia clasped her frall mother
in her strong young arms, as she
prayed earnestly to God TO save
her brother.
Don't cry. Ma" she said. despite
the lump in her throat. Suddenly,
the door was flung open. in de-
fiance of Pete's frantic barking,
and TIE bulky figure of Silas
Hornsby doomed In the doorway.
Behind him, group OF Vernon's
prominent citizens pushed forward
like hungry beasts. whose prey had
escaped.
where's Dave Wilbert?" old
Silas roared. shaking his forcing
er In violent rage.
What do you want with him?"
Cynthia asked. shrinking with her
back TO the wall.
None OF that, GAL" Silas horns
by shouted with an outburst of
oaths.
Again the aged mother found
solace In Inconsistencies She was
entirely unnoticed for the moment,
stop II, stop IT," Cynthia yelled.
You're killing Ma. oh please
leave us alone. We haven't any