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dered :f her fato was under considera? tion und what that fate was to be. Hannibal, who had been examining the window, re urned to her side. "Miss Hetty, if we could Just get out of this loft we could steal their skiff and row down to the riter; i roikon they got Just the Jne boat; the only way they could get to ua would be to awtm out. and if they done that we could pound 'em over the head ?Ith (he oars?the least lit* tie thing sinks you when you're in the water." But this raurderoufj fancy of his failed to interest Betty. Presently they heard Sherrod and Bunker come up from the shore with George, alosson joined them and there was 1 brief discussion, then an interval of silence, snd the sound of voices sgsln an the three white men moved back across the field In the direction of the bayou. There suc? ceeded a period of utter stillness, both in ih) cabin and in the clear? ing, a somber hush that plunged Bet? ty yet deeper In despair. Wild thoughts assailed her. thoughts against which she struggled with all the strergth ot her will. In that hour of stress Hannibal was austained r. y his faith in the judge. "? israj his pstron's powerful and ?aquo intelligence applied to ( the mystery of their dlsap ce from Belle Plain; It was In table that this could prove Stfei ise than disastrous to Mr. Slos? son, and he endeavored to share the confidence he was feeling with Hetty, but there wss something so forced and unnatural In the girl's voice and manner when she discussed his con? jectures that be quickly foil into an nwed silence. At last, and It must have been some time after midnight, troubled slumbers claimed him. No moment of forgetfulness came to Bet? ty. She was waiting for what?she did not know! The csndle burnt low? er and lower and finally went out and ehe was left In darkness, but again she was conscious of souads from the room below. At first It was only a word or a sentence, then the guarded speech became a steady monotrne that ran deep into the night. Even? tually this ceased and Betty fancied *be heard sobs. CHAPTER XX. Murrell Shows Hie Hand. At length points ot light began to show through chinks In the logs. Han* albai roused and sat up, rubbing his eyee with the backs of his hands. ?"Wasn't you able to sleep none?" he Inquired. Betty shook her head. He looked st her with sn expression of troubled concern. "How soon do you reckon the 1udre will e-nnw?" b? gghjasV "Vary noon now. dear." Hannibal j wae greatly oonsoied by this opinion. 'Ml'* Patty, ho .v 11L love to ttu?. Us? "Hark! What was that" for Betty had caught th? distant splssh of oars. Hannibal found a chink la the logs through which by dint of much squint lag he secured a partial view of the bayou. "They're fetching up a keel boat to the shore, Miss Betty?It's a whoop er!" he announced. Betty'a heart sank, she never doubted the purpose for which that boat waa brought Into the bayou, or that It nearly conoerned herself. Half an hour later Mrs. Hicks ap? peared with their breakfaat. it was In vain that Betty attempted to en gage her in conversation. Either she cherished some personal feeling ol dislike for her prisoner, or else the situation in which she herself was placed had little to recommend It, even to her dull mind, and her die satisfaction wae expressed In her at Utude towsrd the girt Betty passed the long hours ol morning In dreary speculation con? cerning what wss happening at Hells Plain. In the end she realised that the day could go by and her absence occasion no alarm. Steve might rea? sonably suppose George had driven her into Raleigh or to the Howens' and that she bad kept the carriage. Finally all her .tope centered on Judge Price. He would expect Hannibal dur? ing the morning; perhaps when the boy did not arrive he would be tempt? ed to go out o Belle Plain to dis? cover the reason of his non appear* ao< e ?be wondered what theories would offer themselves to his In* genlous mind, for she sensed some? thing of that indomitable energy which in tho face of rebuffs and laughter carried him Into the thick of every sensation. j At noon Mrs Hicks, as sullen as In the morning, brought them their din? ner. She had scarcely quitted the lott when a shrill whistle pierced the si? lence that hung above the clearing. It was twice repeated, tud the two women were heard to go from the cshln. Perhaps half an hour elapsed, then a step became audible on the packed earth of the doorvard. Some ooe entered the room below and be* gan to ascend the narrow sia'rs, and Hetty's fingers closed convulsively about Hannibal's. This was neither airs Hick* nor her daughter, nor Slosson with his clumsy Hhulfle. There was a brief pause when the landing wae reached, but It was only momen? tary; a hand lifted the bar, the door waa thrown open, and Its space framed the figure of a man. It waa John Murr. II Standing there he regnrded Betty In stance but a deep-seated Pre glowed In bis Hunken eyes The Menno of poe **fl*lon was raging through him. hi* temples thn>t,t?-.|. a fever stirred his hi ><>d U?vo, such as It was, he un? doubtedly r? It for her, and even his gi*nt aaajoct, with an its sioaatrous ramification*, wns lo?t Hah? of for the s * i tue in j irataoa lor It nil. the goal and rewara tor wnteu he struggled. "Betty! * the single word tell softly f-otn his lips. He stepped into the room, closing the door as he did so. The girl's eyes were dilating with a mute horror, for by aome swift, in? tuitive process of the mind, which naked nothing of the logic of events, but dealt only with conclusions, Mur rell stood revealed as Norton's mur derer. Perhaps be read ber thoughts, but he bad lived in his degenerate ambitions until the common judg ments or the understanding of them no longer existed for him. That Bet? ty had loved Norton aeemed inconse? quential even; it was a memory to be swept away by the force of bis greater pasalon. So he watched her smilingly, but back of the smile was th? menace of unleashed Impulse. 'Can't you find some word of wel? come for me, Betty?" he asked at length, still softly, still with some? thing of entreaty in his tone. "Then it waa you?-not Tom?who had me brought here!" She could have thanked God had it been Tom, whose hate waa not to be feared as ahe feared this man's love. "Tom?no!" and Muriell laughed. "You didn't think I'd give you up? 1 am standing with a halter about my neck, and all for your aake?who'd ?Then It Waa You?Not Tern?Who Had Me Brought Merer risk as much for love of you?" He aeemed to expand with savage pride that this waa so, and took a step to? ward her. "Don't come near me!" cried Betty. Her eyes blazed, and ahe looked at him with loathing. "You'll !eui Ct to be kJiicL'-r," hi < I ed "You woulcu't r.ee nie a: Belle P aln; ahrU was Wvtt fo Bu >ut to h ve you Di ought here?" eygtle MLvrraU ^aa apeaking nig UfU luctl UHU vuia ut uis vttu ^l??0uv,? on the opposite shore of the bayou was heard again. This served to ar reat his attention. A look of uncer? tainty paaaed over hie face, then he made an Impatient geature aa if he dlamlaaed aome thought that had forced itself upon him, and turned to Betty. "You don't aak what my purpose it where you are concerned; you have no curiosity on that score?" She en deavored to meet bis glance wlti a glance as resolute, then her eyes sought the boy's upturned face. "J am going to send you down river, Bet? ty. Later I shall Join you In New Or leans, and when I leave the country you shall go with me?" "Never!" gasped Betty. "As my wife, or however you choosi to call it I'll teach you what a man'i love la like," he boasted, and extend ed his hand. Betty shrank from him and hia hand fell at hla aide. He looked at her steadily out of hla deep sunk eyes, in which biased the Urea ol bla passion, and aa he looked, bet face paled and flushed by turns. "You may learn to be kind to me, Betty,' he said. "You may find It will be worth your while." Betty made nc answer; she only gathered Hannibal closer to her aide. "Why not accept what I have to offer, Betty?" AgaiD he went nearer her, and again she shrank from him, but the madness ol his mood waa in the ascendant. He seized her and drew her to blm. She struggled to free herself, but bis tin gera tightened about her. "Let me go!" ahe panted. He laughed bla cool laugh of triumph. "Let you go?ask me anything but ihat, Betty! Have you no reward foi pitlence auch aa mine? A whole sum mer has passed since I saw you flrtt?" There was the noisy shuffling ol feet on the stairs, and Nleaetag Bet ty, luurrell swung about on bis heel j and luced the door. It was pushed open an Inch at a time by a not toe confident band and Mr. Slosson thus guardedly presented himself to the eye of hla chief, whom he heckone-d from the room. "Well?" said Murrell. when they stood togethor on the landing. "Just come across to the i keel bint!" and Slosson led the way down stairs and from the house. "Damn you. Joe, you might have waited!" observed the outlaw. Bios son gave blm a hardened grlu 1 hey crossed the clearlug and boarded the keel boat which rested against the bunk. As they did BO the cabin in 'he stern gave up a shattered pyai enco In the snap* of Tom War* Mur rell Started violently "1 thought you were bunging out In Memphis, Tom? ho said and his brow darkened, as, plnlstef and forbidding, he Stepped closer to the planter. Ware did not anewat st once, but looked at Mur rell out g| heavy bloodshot even, his race ptneBed nnd ghastly At laal he "1 stayed In Memphis until five o'clock this morning." "Damn your early hours!" roared Murrell. "What are you doing here? 1 suppose you've been showing that dead face of yours about the neigh? borhood?why didn't you stay at Belie Plain, since you couldn't keep away?" "I haven't been near Belle Plain; 1 came here instead. How am I going to meet people and answer ques? tions?" His teeth were chattering. "Is it known she's missing?" he added. "Hicks raised the alarm the first thing this morning, according to the instructions I'd given him." ""Yes?" gasped Ware. Ke was drip? ping from every pore and the sickly color camo and went on his unshaven cheeks. Murrell dropped a heavy hand on his shoulder. "You haven't been at Belle Plain, you say, but has any one seen you on the road this morning?" "No one, John," cried Ware, pant? ing between each word. There was a moment's pause and Ware spoke again. "What are they doing at Belle Plain?" he demanded in a whisper. MurreU's lips curled. "I understand then- Is talk of sui cidi," he said. "Good!" cried Ware. "They are dragging the bayou down below the house. It looks as though you were going to reap the rewards ot the excellent management you have given her estate. They have been trying to find you in Memphis, so the sooner you show yourself the better," he concluded significantly. "You are sure you have her safe, John; no chance of discovery? For God's sake get her away from here as soon as you can; it's an awful risk you run!" ?TO BK CONTINUED) SCHKDl'LK CHANGES: ON SOUTH? ERN RAILWAY. Effective Sunday May 20th, Southern Railway Will Make the Following SolH'duU? Chunges: Train No. 113. Leave Columbia 6.0') a. ni. Leave Klngvllls 6.50 a. in., arrive Caniden 8.20 a. m., arrive Lancaster 10.05 a. m., arrive Rock Hill 11.10 a. m. dally. Train No. 114?Leave Rock Hill 1.00 p. in.; arrive Lancaster 2.05 p. m., arrive Camden 3.40 p. m.; ar? rive Klngville 5.05 p. ni., arrive Co? lumbia 6.00 p. in. Trains 117 and 118 betweer. Co? lumbia and Yorkville will be oper? ated dally instead of daily except Sundav hh heretofore. m< arrivt Bumter Junction '.".30 a. m., I art i H imtci 1Q, I n. Train bumter Junction 7.10 a. m.i arrive Kingvllle 7.35 a. in.. Train 143 leave Sumter Junction 4.55 p. m? arrive Sumter 5.3 5 p. m. Train 142 leave Sumter 3.10 p. in., arrive Sumter Junction 4.30 p. m. Train 117 leave Columbia P HI., leave Klngville 4.35 p. m., ar? rive Camden 5.57 p. m., arrive Lan? caster 7.48 p. m., arrive Rock Hill 8.55 p. m.. leave Rock Hill 9.05 p. m., frrive Yorkville 9.40 p. m. daily. Train 118 leave Yorkville 6.50 a. rn. arrive Rock Hill 7.25 a. m. leave Hock Hill 7.35 a. m. arrive Lancas? ter 8.31 a. m., arrive Camden 10.05 a. m., arrive Klngvllls 11.30 a. m., arrive Columbia 12.25 p, in., dally. Train 113 leave Rock Hill 5.00 p. m., arrive Yorkville 5,36 p. m? ar? rive Blacksburg 8.4 0 p, m., leave Blaoksburg 7.00 p. m.. arrive Marion, N. C, 10.05 p. m. Train 114 leave Marlon. N. C, 5.15 a. in., arrive jBlackaburg S.25 a. m., leave Blacks burg 9.0 5 a. m, leave Yorkville 10.07 I a. m.. arrive Rock Hill 10.4.r> a. m. Effective Monday June 3rd. new train No. 3 leave Columbia 11.50 a. m. arrive Bpartanburg 3.4 5. arrive I Hendersonvtlle 6.00 a. m. arrive Asheville 7.00 a. in. New train No. 4 leave Asheville 2.10 p, m., leave Hendersonvllle 3.io p. m.( leave Bpartanburg 5.26 p. m., arrive Co? lumbia 9.2". p. Ii-. Tb?? Charleston !Asbevllle-Waynesvllle Pullman sleep? ing car will be handled on these trains, leaving Charleston train n at 5.15 p. m. arrive Waynesvllle 10.00 a, m. Leave Waynosvllle 12.0:. p, m, arrive Charleston 1.18 a, m. J, L MEEK, A, O. P, A. Atlanta, I ?r. GeO, Mi Dlinne, who has just finished .1 medical course a1 Uni? versity of Georgia and secured his li cense Is here for ;? stay of t? -1? days with his mother, Mrs. 13, J, Dunne, on llarby Avenue, after which he I??nves for Itutledge, ?ia.. t.- muke his fiitni** home, Hupt, s. Ii. Kdmunds wua tun- of the prominent llgures, He has :stt tended every meeting of 11??- Assocla lion for many years, nnd was pr?Ml ?I. nt In ISOfl, Southern Bchonl News, Mr, and Mr*. M, B. Bundle, Misses Grace, Luclln und Annie Handle, Muster Maurice Handle, <>r Kuinter. ii nd 1 >r. und vlrs, Wm. II, Low ma 11 of orungeburg, composed ;i lollj au I., pnrt) who sp<?nl Hundnj In I'uni den. They expressed Ihemsolves as being delighted with the ben it\ of ritE STINGER M l N(.. Negroes Get in Mix-up short Dis? tance North of Town. Friday afternoon William Sumter a negro living a few mi lei out of town, iwore out a warrant for the arreat of another negro, suposedly a preacher, on the charge of assault and battery. Tin- latter negro?w. W, Williams was the name he gave although lie said Saturday thai that was not hla nanu?was arreated and lodged in jail, hut was later re leaaed upon his putting up a bond of $50. Wllliami claimed that Sumter who had sworn out the warrant tried to break into his house with a gun and he had taken the gun from him and driven him off. He later stated that he had not hit Sumter, al? though Sumter had the blood and bruises on his person, when In- ap? peared before the magistrate, to ?h ?W that someone had used him roughly. Sumter was also arreated by the deputy and lodged in jail, In being unable to put up the required bond. Later, however, he was re? leased by Magistrat.' Wells, as he Wai the principal witness and prosecu? tor in the case. Marriage License Reocrd. Eugene Pierson and Susie Wil? liams, colored, of Shiloh, secured a marriage license Saturday morning Miss Elizabeth W. McLean. Of Sumter, is one of the active and en? terprising workers in the State Teachers' Association. She was pres? ident of the Association of Elemen? tary Schols. She presided with dig? nity and admirable grace at each of the large meetings, and won the ap? plause of her co-workers. Her pro? gram was good and was carried through wtihout a hitch.?Southern School News. The work on the City National Bank building and on the Bank of Sumter building Is still the center of attraction in Sumter, literally speak? ing. In the last issue of Common Sense a weekly newspaper of Charleston the Grace organ of the city, there ap? pear some very n??r?arlcsh|i? ^t!?t... joiifS State convention in mlmously decided in favor of the Barnwell ?ac tlon. The expectation of everyone was that such decision meant that he Influence of the Grace faction would go to Bleaae. What effect, therefore, this public announcement by Mayor Grace will have on the race for governor remains to he Been It would seem to earrly with it the inference that Bleaae will get prec? ious few of the Charleston votes. But the most startling statcnien contained in this newspaper is that a member of the Barnwell delegation acts as a go-between for Bleaae and the blind timers of Charleston, ahar Ing with the State's Chief K\ CUtive the money collected from these Illicit whiskey dealera in Charleaton. \'ow this is either true or it is nii.n, \ If true it is a pretty serious - h rge agalnat the governor, and aoni 'hing should be done about It: if Ui rue Common Senae should be held strict? ly to account for publishing such ;? statement. An investigation of this matter should be made with a view to ascertaining the truth, if Com? mon Sense or Mayor Grace bus any proof of such a state of affairs th y would be doing a public duty by giv? ing out the proof for auch statement ?Colleton Press and Standard. v LaVallleres, the Jewelry fad of the aeaaon these dainty ornaments have atrenghtened their hold on the popu lar fancy, and de8ecvedly bo, Th. slender golden chains ami sparkling pendants make n charm finish to cos turns of the prevlling Btylo, We have a nice fiesh Btoek of these in ail the different stones, gold bead, necks, lot kets, belt pins und mesh bans, and many other pieces of jewelry, that will make an Ideal gift for graduate ton- optical parlor is lifted tip com? plete; we do ail our own i? use grind? ing. Gruduate optician In charge, I ?et ua tit and ad lust j our ghi sses, W. A. Thompson. .11 W I I I i: VM? (HTK'l \\. Eggs! Eggs!! Eggs!!! More than ever before?that's what every one says who uses PRATTS POULTRY REGULA? TOR. Keeps hens at their highest earning power all the year round. Use it a month and count the eggs. We guarantee the increase. 25c? 50c-$1.00. For Salt by all First Class Dealers. Refuse all Substitutes. 1912 Almanac and Poultry Book Free. SUMTER GOING FORWARD. That Sumter is making substantial progress Is abundantly evidenced by the following facts: (1) The Seaboard Air Line is being graded to within one mile of city. ( J) The pipes of the new Gas plant are being laid throughout the city. (3) Two new Bank and Office buildings are being constructed. (1) Xew Hotel of one hundred rooms being erected. < ?".) Six new Stores going up on Main treet. (6) Handsome new buildings being erected by Methodist and Jewish congregations. (7) Several handsome Brick Residences being erected. In addition to & number of smaller dwellings throughout the city. Investments in real estate made with judgment, in a growdng city are the surest and most profitable investments to be had. We are offering some good propositions in business property. Write for list of offerings. R. B. Belser Co. Cl Y PROPERTY FARMS TIMBER LAND 261-2 N. Main St. REAt estate dealers. R. B. BELSER. REAL ESTATE LOAMS MOaTtAgCf Atro INVESTMENTS Sumter, S. C. ERNEST FIELD. GEORGE H. HURST Announces that he has secured the services of Mr. J. K. Wilson, of Columbia, Tenn., an experienced fur? niture man and funeral director and embalmer, and is better prepared than ever to serve you day or night. We solicit your patronage, and appreciate same. George H. Hurst, 202 N MAIN STREET Day Phone 539 Night Phone 201 LIME. CEMENT, fi??gB? :, ' ; ? T-Tott ProSn Rice Flour. Ship Stag. Bran, nay, ^Jrrain, Mixed tow and CSlckea Keed. Horses. Mules. l-? No Order Too Large Or Too Small. Booth-Harby Live Stock Co. SUMTER. SOUTH CAROLINA. Have you see our platea made by the mw method? They are beauties, no taste no odor, and we charge you only $10.00 for the best?written guarantee with each plate. Call and see samples. Let us mend your cracked or brok? en plataSi we make them as good as new. the charge will be very reasoa able. Sumter Dental Parlors, DR. C. H. COURTNEY, Prop. OVER MRS. ATKINSON'S MILLINERY STORE. Atlantic Coa^l Line The Standard Railroad of the South Ranwfies tft* "Na? tion's Garden Spot" Through the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida FOUR FAMOUS TRAINS "NEW YORK AND FLORIDA SPECIAL" (January to April) ; "FLORIDA AND WEST INDIAN LIMIT? ED," "PALMETTO LIMITED" AND "COAST LINE FIX3RIDA MAIL." Din ing Cars? a la carte service. All year round through ear service from New York to both Port Tampa and Knights Key, connecting with steamships to and from Havana. For beautifully illustrated booklets and copy of the "Purple Folder/' add ras?. T. C. WH1 rE, W. J. CRAIG, General Passenger Agent. Pans. TrHtmc Mgr. Wilmington, N. C.