Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

THE PRODIGAL I JUDGE > \By \?uoHAfi Kesten /izvsTtyTrws ByD.Meiyju Cot* ?m>*v /*>/ MWAtms-M\*s*m? Oxnw_ "No, ma am. be done aoaked the label off one of Mr. Pefloe'a whisky Bottiee and paated It on the wall just aa high aa my cbln, ao'a I can aee It food, and be n learning me that a way! Maybe you've aeen the kind of bottle I mean?Pegloe'a Mlaalaalppl root; Pure Corn Wniaky?" But Han aihaJ'4 bright little face fell. He waa guick to aee that the educational sys? tem devised by the judge did not lm avaaa Betty at all favorably. She drew aim Into her anna. "You aha 11 hate my hooka?the hooka I learned to read out of when I waa a little girl. Hannibal1" 11lka learning from the label pret? ty well." said Hannibal loyally. "But youll like the book a hatter, dear, when you see them. I know Just where they are, for I happened on then on a ahelf In the library only the other day ." After they had found and examined 1 the books and Hannibal had grudlng ty admitted that they might possess aar tain points of advantage over the label, ha and Bety went out for a walk. It waa bow late afternoon and the fan was sinking behind the wall of the foreat that roaa along the Ar* coast Their steps bad led them to the terrace?where they ebood looking off Into the west. It van hare that Betty had said good-by to Bruce Carrtngton?it might hate Been months ago. and It waa only slays. She thought of Charley? Charier, with his youth and hope and hjagn courage?unwittingly enough ahe Bad led him on to his death! A sob rose in her throat. Hannibal looked up Into her face. The memory of his own lose was ?ever very long sbsent from his gated, aad Mise Betty had been the ototim of a similarly sinister tragedy. Be recalled those first awful days of Vane 11 ness through which he had lived, er hen there waa no Uncle Bob??oft eeiood. smiling and infinitely com neaionable "Why, Hannibal, you are crying? what about, dear?" aaked Betty sud? denly. "No, ma'am; I ain't crying," said San * thai stoutly, hut his wet lashes grave the lie to hie words. "Are you homesick?do you wish to gas hack to the Judge and Mr. Ma faaaTyr "No. ma'am?It ain't that?I was gnat thinking?" Thinking about what, dear?" "About my Uncle Bob.** The email face waa very wistful. "Oh?and you atlil ralaa him so Baach. Hannibal "I bet I do?I reckon anybody who knew Uncle Bob would never get over aniaalng him: they Juat couldn't, Mlaa fsetty! The judge Is mighty kind, saad so la Mr. Mahaffy?they're awful knad, Mlaa B /, and It seems like ,they get kinder all the time?but wttk Uncle Bob, when ha liked you. he just laid himself out to let you know HP "That doos make a tareat differ* ones, doesn't It?" agreed Betty aadly, ajajd two plteoua tearful eyea were Bent upon him. "Don't you reckon if Uncle Bob la alive, like the Judge aays, and he's ewer going to find me. bo had ought BB be here by now?" continued Han? nibal aaxloualy. "But It hasn't been auch a great while. Hannibal; it's only that ao much haa happened to you. if be wan very badly hurt it may have been Wssks before he could ravel; and then when he could, perhaps he went Back to that tavern to try to learn what had become of you But we mar be quite e/rtaln he will never abandon hie search until he has made a vary potslble effort to find you, dear! Tbst means he will sooner or later come to west Tennessee, for there will alwaya be the hope that yen have found your way here.'* "Sometimes I get mighty tired wait? ing, Mlaa netty." confessed the boy. "Seems like I Just couldn't wait no amger?? He atgheo gently, ami tnen Bis face cleared You reckon to 11 come most sny time, don't you. Miss Betty* "Yes. Hannibal; any day or hour! "Whoop!" muttered Hannibal sott ty under his breath Presently he asked: "Where does thst branch take you to?" He nodded toward the Bayou st the foot of the terraced bluff **It empties into the river," an swered Betty Hannibal saw a email skiff beached among the ?ottonwoods thut grew along the Water's edg?> and hi- eyag lighted up Instantly He had a Juvenile paaslon for boats "Why. you got a boat, ain't you. Miss Betty?" This was s charming aad an Important disc v?-r> "Would you like to go down to It? Inquired Betty. "'Deed I would! Does she leak eny. Miss Bett)'" "1 don't know shout that. 1*> boats usually leak. Hannibal?" "Why. you ain't ever been out row ing her. Mlaa Betty, have you??and there ain't no better fun tnan rowing a boat!" They bad started down the path. "I used to think that, too, Hanni? bal; how do you suppose It is that when people grow up they forget all about the really nice things tbey might do?" "What use Is she if you don't go rowing In her?" persisted Hannibal. "Oh, but It Is used. Mr. Tom uses It In crossing to the other side where they are clearing land for cotton. It saves him a long walk or ride about the head of the bayou." "Like I should take you out in her, Miss Betty?" demanded Hannlbal'wlth palpitating anxiety. They had entered the scattering timber when Betty paused suddenly with a startled exclamation, and Han? nibal lall her fingers close convul? sively about his. The sound she had heard might have been only the rust? ling of the wind among the branct.es overhead in that shadowy silence, but Betty's nerves, the placid nerves of youth and perfect health, were shat? tered. "Didn't you hear something, Han? nibal?" she whispered fearfully. For answer Hannlbsl pointed mys? teriously, and glancing in the direc? tion he Indicated, Betty saw a woman advancing along the path toward them. The look of alarm slowly died out of his eyes. "I think It's the overseer's niece," she told Hannibal, and they kept on toward the boat. The girl came rapidly up the path, which closely followed the Irregular line of the shore In Us windings. Once she was aeon to stop and glance back over her shoulder, her attitude Intent and listening, then she hurried forward again. Just at the boat the three met. "Good evening!" said Betty pleas? antly. The girl made no reply to this; eh$ merely regarded Betty with a tlxei stare. At length she broke the ?fr leuce abruptly.. "I got something I want to say to you?you know who I am, I reckon?"' 8he was a girl of about Betty's own age, with a certain dark, sullen beau? ty and that Dhysicsl attraction which MYou Needn't Be Afraid, I Got Some? thing Important to Say." Tom, in spite of bis vexed mood, bad taken note of earlier in the day. "You are Bess Hicks,'' said Betty. "Make the boy go back toward the house a spell?I got something I want to say to you." Betty hesitated. She was offended by the girl's manner, which was as rude as her speech. "1 ain't going to hurt you?you needn't bo afraid of me. I got something im? portant to say?send hini off, I tall you; there ain't no time to lose!"' The girl stumped her foot impatiently. Betty made a sign to Hannibal and ho passed slowly hack along tho path. He went unwillingly, and he kept his head turned that ho might see what was done, even if ho were not to hear what was s ild "That will do, Hannibal watt there ?don't go any farther!" Batty called after him when he had reached a point sufficiently distant to he out or he.ir'ng of a conversation carried on In an ordinary tone. "Now, what Is It? Speak oulckly if you hAvo any? thing to tell me!" "1 got a heap to Hay," answered tho girl ?Ith a SCOWl. Her manner wag stui Hen n snd repellent, and she gave Hetty a certain Jealous regard out of her black eyes which the latter was at a loss to explain. "Where's Mr. Tom?" she demanded. "Tcm? Why, about the place, I supprse?in hi* office, perhaps" So It bnd to do with Tom . . . Betty felt sudden disgust with the situation. "No. he ain't about the plnce. eith er! He done struck out for Memphis l two hours alter sun-up, and what's more, he ain't coming back here to? night?" There was a moment of si? lence. The girl looked about appre? hensively. She continued, fixing her black eyes on Betty: "You re here alone at Beile Plain?you know what happened when Mr. Tom stnrted for Memphis last time?I reckon you-all ain't forgot that!" Betty felt a pallor steal over her face. She rested a hand that shook ; on the trunk of a tree to steady her? self. The girl laughed shortly. "Don't be so scared; I reckon Belle Plain's as. good as bis if anything happened to you?" By a great effort Betty gained a measure of control over herself. She took a step nearer and looked the girl iiteadlly in the face. "Perhaps you will stop thin sort of talk, and tell me what is going to Happen to me?if you know?" she said quietly. "Why do you reckon Mr. Norton I was shot? I can tell you why?it was all along of you?that was why!" The girl's furtive glance, which searched and watched the gathering shadows, came back as It always did to Betty's pale face. "You ain't no safer than he was, I tell you!" and she sucked in her breath sharply be? tween her full red lips. "What do you mean?" faltered Betty. "Do you reckon you're safe here in the biK house alone? Why do you rockon Mr. Tom cleared put for Mem? phis? It was because he couldn't be around and have anything happen to you?that was why!" and. the girl sank her voice to a whisper. "You quit Belle Plain now?tonight?just as soon an you can!" "Thin Is absurd?you are trying to frighten me!" "Did they stop with trying to fright? en Charley Norton?" demanded Bess, with harsh insistence. Whatever the promptings that in? spired this warning, they plainly had nothing to do with either liking or sympathy. Her dominating emotion seemed to be a sullen sort of resent? ment which lit up her glance with a dull fire; yet her feelings were so clearly and eo keenly personal that Betty understood the motive that had brought her there. The explanation, she found, left her wondering just where and how her own fate was linked with- that of this poor white. "You have been waiting some time to see me?" she asked. "Ever since along about noon." "You were afraid to come to the house?" "I didn't want to be seen there." "And yet you knew I was alone." "Alon*?but how do you know who's watch in? the place?" "Do you think there was reason to be afraid of that?" askeu Betty. Again the girl stamped her foot with angry Impatience. "You'ie just wastln' time?Just fool in' it away?and you ain't got none to spare!" "You must tell me what I have to fear?I must know more or I shall stay Jusr. where I am!" "Well, then, stay!" The girl turned away, and then as quickly turned back and faced Betty once more. "1 reckon he d kit., me If he know?1 reckon I've earned that already?" "Of whom are you speaking?" "He'll have you away from here to? night!" "He? . . . who . . . and what if I refuse to go?" "Did they aak Charley Norton whether he wanted to live or die?" came the sinister question. A shiver passed through Betty. She was seeing It all again?Charley as be groped among the graves with the hand of death heavy upon him. A moment later she was alone. The girl had disappeared. There were only the shifting shadows as the wind tossed the branches of the trees, and the bands of golden light that slanted along the empty nath, The fear of the unknown leaped up afresh in Bet? ty's soul; in an instant flying feet had borne her to the hoy's side. "Come?come quick, Hannibal!" she gasped out, and seized his hand. "What is it, Miss Betty? What's the matter?" asked Hannibal as they tied panting up the terraces. "I don't know?only we must get away from here Just as soon as we can!" Then, seeing the look of alarm on tho child's face, she added more quietly, "Don't he frightened, dear, only wo must go away from Belle Plain at once." But where they wore to go, she had not considered. Beaching the house, they stole to Betty's room. Her well-tilled purse was tho important thing; that, togeth? er with some necessary clothing, went into a small hand hag. "You must tarry this, Hannibal; if any one sees us leave the house they'll think it something you are tak? ing sway/' she explained. Hannibal nodded understandingly. "Don't you trust your niggers, Miss Betty?'* ho whispered as they went from th? room. "I only trust yon, dear!" "What makes you go? Was it some? thing that woman told you'.' Are they ootntng after us, Miss Hetty? is it Captain Murrell .'" "Captain Murrell?" There was less of my iter> now, but more of terror, and her hand stole up to her heart, and. white ami slim, rested against the black fabric ol her dress. "Don't you he Beared, MiSH Hetty!" said Hannibal. They went silently from the bouse and again crossed the lawn to tbe ter? race Under the leafy arch which can? opied them there w;ik already the deep purple of twilight "Do yoa reckon It were Captain Murrell shot Mr. Norton, Miss Bet ty?' asked Hannibal in a shuddering whisper. "Hush?Oh. hush, Hannibal! it is too awful to even speak of?" and, sobbing and hall hysterical, she cov? ered her face with her hands. | "But where are we going, Miss Bett} r asked the boy. "I don't know, dear!" She had an agonizing sense of the night's ap? proach and of her own utter helpless? ness. "I'll tell you what, Miss Betty, let's go to the judge and Mr. Mahaffy!" said Hannibal. "Judge Price?" She had not thought of him as a possible protector. "Why, Miss Betty, ain't I told you he ain't afraid of nothing? We could walk to Raleigh easy if you don't want your niggers to hook up a team for you." Betty suddenly remembered the car. riage which had taken the judge into town; she was sure it had not yet re? turned. "We will go to the judge, Hannibal! George, who drove him into Haleigh, has not come back; if we hurry we may meet him on the road." Screened by the thick shadows, they passed up the path that edged the bayou; at the head of the inlet they entered a clearing, and crossing Ha Waa Looking Into the Faca of 8losson, the Tavern-keeper. this they came to the corn-field which lay between the house and the high* road. Following one of the shock rows they hurried to the mouth of the lane. "Hannibal, I don't want to tell the Judge why I am leaving Belle Plam ?about the woman, I mean," said Betty. "You reckon they'd kill her, don't you, Miss Betty, if they knew what she'd done?" speculated the boy. It occurred to him that an adequate ex? planation of their flight would require preparation, since the judge was at all times singularly alive to the slight? est discrepancy of statement. They had issued from the corn-field and went along the road toward Haleigh. Suddenly Betty paused. "Hark!" she whispered. "It were nothing, Miss Betty," said Hannibal reassuringly, and they hur? ried forward again. In the utter still? ness through which they moved Betty heard the beating of her own heart, and the soft and all but inaudible pat? ter of the boy's bare feet on the warm duet of the road. Vague forms that resolved themsesves into trees and bushes seemed to creep toward them out of the night's black uncertainty. Once more Betty paused. "It were nothing, Miss Betty," said Hannibal as beforehand he returned to his consideration of the judge. He sensed something of that intellectual nimbleness which his patron's physical make-up in nowise suggested, since his face was a mask that usually left one iu doubt as to just how much of what he heard succeeded in making its impression on him; but the boy knew that Slocum Price's blind side was a shelterless -exposure. "You don't think the carriage could have passed us while we were cross? ing the corn-field?" said Betty. "No, I reckon we couldn't a-missed hearing it," answered Hannibal. He had scarcely spoken when they caught the rattle of wheels and the beat of hoofs. These sounds swept nearer and nearer, and the darkness disgorged the Belle Plain team and carriage "George!" cried Betty, a world of relief in her tones. "Whoa, you!" and George reined in his horses with a jerk. "Who's dar?" he asked, bending forward on the box as he sought to pierce the darkness with his glance. "George?" "Oh, it you, Missy?" "Yes. I wish you to drive me into Raleigh." said Betty, and she and Han? nibal entered the carriage. "All right, Missy. Yo'-all ready to* me to go aloug out o' here?" "Yes?drive last, George!" urged Betty. "It's right dark fo' fas' driving', Missy, with the road Jes' aimin' fo' to bus' yo' springs with chuckboles!" Ho had turned his horses' heads In the direction of Raleigh while he was speaking. "It's scandalous black in these beah woods, Missy?I 'clar' I never seen it no blacker!" The carriage swung forward for per? haps a hundred yens, then suddenly the horses came to a dead stop "Go along on, dar!" Clied George, and struck them with his whip, but the horses only reared and plunged. "Hold on. nigger!" said a rough voice out of the darkness. "What yo' dein'?" the coachman gaBped. MDon' yo* know dis de Helle Plain carriage? Take yo' ban's ofteu dem bosses' bits!" Two men stepped to the Bide of the carriage. "Show your light, Bunker," said the same rough voice that had spoken he fore. Instantly a hooded lantern was uncovered, and Hannibal uttered a cry of terror. He was looking into the face of Slosson, the tavern-keeper. CHAPTER XIX. Prisoners. In the face of Betty's indignant pro? test Slosson and the man named Bunker climbed into the carriage. "Don't you be scared, ma'am," said the tavern-keeper, who smelt strongly of whisky. "I wouldn't lift my hand ag'in no good-looking female except in kindness." "How dare you stop my carriage?" cried Betty, with a very genuine an? ger which for the moment dominated all her other emotions. She struggled to her feet, but Slosson put out a heavy hand and thrust her back. "There now," he urged soothingly. "Why make a fuss? We ain't going to harm you; we wouldn't for no sun: of money. Drive on, Jim?drive like hell!" This last was addressed to the man who had taken George's place on the box, where a fourth member of Slosson's band had forced the coachman down into the narrow space between the seat and dashboard, and was holding a pistol to bis head while he sternly enjoined silence. With a word to the horses Jim swung about and* the carriage rolled off through the night at a breakneck pace. Betty's shaking hands drew Hannibal closer to her side as she felt the surge of her terrors rise with? in her. Who were these men?where could they be taking her?and for what purpose? The events of the past week linked themselves in tragic se I quence in her mind. What was it j she had to fear? Was it Tom for whom these men were acting? Tom I who would profit greatly by her die appearance or death! They swept past the entrance at I Belle Plain, past a break in the wall ' of the forest where the pale light of I stars showed Betty the cornfield she and Hannibal had but lately crossed, and then on into pitchy darkness again. She clung to the desperate hope that they might meet some one on the road, when she could cry out and give the alarm. She held herself in readiness for this, but there was only the steady pounding of the big bays as Jim with voice and whip urged them forward. At last he ab? ruptly checked them, and Bunker and Slosson sprang from their seats. "Get down, ma'am!" said the lat? ter. "Where are you taking me?" asked Betty, in a voice that shook in spite of her efforts to control it. "You must hurry, ma'am," urged Slosson impatiently. "I won't move until I know where you intend taking me!" said Betty. "If I am to die?" Mr. Slosson laughed loudly and In? dulgently. "You ain't. If you don't want to walk, I'm man enough fo' to tote you. We ain't far to go, and I've tackled jobs I'd a heap less heart fo' in my time," he concluded gallantly. From the opposite side of the carriage Bunker swore nervously. He desired to know if they were to stand there talking all night. "Shut your filthy mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight hold of that young rip staver," said Slosson. "He's a perfect eel?I've had dealings with him afore!" "You tried to kill my Uncle Bob? at the tavern, you and Captain Mur? rell. I heard you, and I seen you drag him to the river!" cried Hannibal. Slosson gave a start of astonish? ment at this. "Why, ain't he hateful?" he ex? claimed aghast. "Sec here, young feller, that's no kind of a way fo* you to talk to a man who has rlz his ten children!" Again Bunker swore, while Jim told Slosson to make haste. This popular clamor served to recall the tavern keeper to a sense of duty. "Ma'am, like I should tote you, or will you walk?" he inquired, and reaching out his hand took hold of Betty. "I'll walk," said the girl quickly, shrinking from the contact "Keep close at my heels. Bunker, you tuck along alter her with the boy." "What about this nigger?" asked the fourth man. "Fetch him along with us," said Slosson. They turned from the road while ho was speaking and entered a narrow path that led off through the woods, apparently in the direction ot the river. A moment later Betty heard tho carriage drive away. They went onward in silence for a kttle time, then Slosson spoke over his shoulder. "Yes, ma'am, I've riz ten children, hut none of 'em was like him?1 trained 'em up to the minute!" Mr. Slosson seemed to have passed com? pletely under the spell of his dornet? tie recollections, lor he continued with just a touch of reminiscent sad* ness in his tone. "There was all told four Mrs. SlOSBOns: two of 'em was Sou'b Carolinians, one was from Oeor* gia, and the last was a widow lady out <>t c;ist Tennessee. Bho'd burled three husbands, and 1 figured we could start perfectly even." The in? trinsic fairness of tins start made Its strong appeal. Mr. Bjpsaon dwelt up? on it with satisfaction. "She had three to her credit, l had three to mine; neither could crow none over the other." As they stumbled forward through the thick obscurity he continued his personal revelations, the present en? terprise having roused whatever there was of sentiment slumbering in his soul. At last they came out on a wide bayou; a white mist hung above It, and on the low shore leal and branch were dripping with the niglit dews. Keeping close to the waters edge Slosson led the way to a point where a skiff was drawn up on tte bank. "Step In, ma'am," he said, when he had launched it. "I will go no farther!" said Betty in desperation. She felt an over? mastering fear, the hull horror of the unknown lay hold c f her, and she gave a piercing cry tor help. Slosson swung about on his heel and seized her. For a moment she struggled to escape, but the man's big hand pinioned her. "No more of that!" he warned, the a he recovered himself and laugbec. "You could yell till you was black In the face, ma'am, and there'd be no one to hear you." "Where are you taking tie?" and Betty's voice faltered betaeen the sudden sobs that choked ber. "Just across to George Hlcks's." "For what purpose?" "You'll know in plenty of time." And Slosson leered at her through tne darkness. "Hannibal is to go with me?" asked Betty tremuloualy. "Sure!" agreed Slosson affably. "Your nigger, too?quite a party." Betty stepped into the skiff. She. felt her hopes quicken?she was thing, ing of Bess; whatever the girl's mo? tives, she had wished her to escape. She would wish it now more than ever since the very thing she bad striven to prevent had happened. Slosson seated himself and took up the oars, Bunker followed with Han? nibal and they pushed off. No word was spoken until they disembarked on the opposite shore, when Slosson ad dressed Bunker. "I reckon I can manage that young rip-8taver; you go back after Sherroc. and the nigger," he said. He conducted his captives up the bank and they entered a clearing. Looking across this Betty saw where a cabin window framed a single square of light. They advanced to? ward this and presently the dark out? line of the cabinet itself became dis? tinguishable. A moment later Slos? son paused, a door yielded to his hand, and Betty and the boy were thrust into the room where Murrell had held his conference with Fentrese and Ware. The two women were now its only occupants, and the mother, gross and shapeless, turned an ex preasionless face on the intruders; but the daughter shrank into the shadow, her burning glance fixed on Betty. "Here's yo' guests, old lady!" said Mr. Sloseon. Mrs. Hicks rose from the three-legged stool on which ehe was sitting. "Hand me the candle, Hess," she ordered. At one side of the room was a steep flight of stairs which gave access to the loft overhead. Mrs. Hicks, by a gesture, signified that Betty and Han nibal were to ascend these stairs; they did so and found themselves on I a narrow landing Inclosed by a par tition of rough planks; this partition was pierced by a low door. Mrs Hicks, who had followed close at their heels, handed the candle to Bet ty. "In yonder!" she said briefly, nod ding toward the door. "Wait!" cried Betty in a whisper. "No," said the woman with an al most masculine surliness of tone. "1 got nothing to say." She pushed then into the attic, ?nd, closing the door fastened it with a stout wooden bar. Beyond that door, which seemed tc have closed on every hope, Betty held the tallow dip aloft, and by its uncer tain and flickering llgbt surveyed hei prison. The briefest glance sufficed The room contained two sbake-dowr beds and a stool; there was a window in the gable, but a piece of beavj plank was spiked before it. "Miss Betty, don't you be scared," whispered Hannibal. "When the judge hears we're gone, him and Mr. Ma "Here's Yor Guests, Old Wom*n|" haffy will try to find us. They'll gf right off to Belle Plain?the judge it always wanting to do that, only Mr Mnhaffy never lets tum--but now he won t be able to stop him." "Oh, Hannibal, Hannibal, what cat he do there?what can an> one dc there?" And a dead pallor over spread the girl s face To speak at the blind groping of her friends but served to lix the horror of their situ tition in her mind. 1 don't know. Miss Hetty, but the judge is always thinking of things tc do; seems like they was mostly things hO one else would ever think of." Hetty had placed the candle on the ?tool and seated herselt on one of the beds There was the murmur Ot voices in the room below; she woo