tRE OHABLOTTE NXWS NOVEMBER 20, 19H THE PRODIGAL UDGE By VAUGHAN KESTER (Copyriifht 19J1, The Bobbs-Merrll Co.) CHAPTER XXIV.—(Continued.) ^.i?s Betty, and It seems like they get kinder all the time—but with Hob, when he liked you. he just laid himself out to let you know iti ’ 'That does not make a great differ- nce. doesn't it?" agreed Betty, sadly, ind two piteous tearful eyes were bent upon him. “Don’t you reckon if Uncle Bob is alive, like the judge says, and he a ' ver going to find me, he had ought to be here by now?’’ continued Hanni bal anxioi.dlv, • Hut it hasn't been such a great v^iiilr, l^annibal; if? only that so tuuii has hapi' ned to you. It he was cry badly hurt it may have been weeks betore he 'ould iravei; and then when could, p^rhaj>« ho went back to >■ tavern to try to learn what iiad bpcomt- of you. P.wi we may be quite 'a!n he vill never abanJoD his until he has made every v^s- «ibl. effort '.n And you. dear!" That V.-- ans he will sooner or later come to *\ Tcni'ci’^' c, ihere will alwa^s he >'»);)« that you have found your wav here ' "Someun2''s I jiet mighty tired wait- V,^. Miss r.efiv," cjnfessed the boy. P^-ems like I jui^t couldn't wait no —’■ He genily. and then I'is ta. e i leared. "You reckon he'll «v ine most any tinii-, don i you, Miss Ictty?” •Vee, Hannibal: any day or hourl' ••Whoop!" muttered Hannibal softly under his breath. Presently he asked; •‘Where does that branch lake you to? ’ He nodded towards the bayou at the f'Q* of the terraced bluff. "it empties into the river," answer ed Betty. Hannibal saw a small skiff beached among the cottonwoods that grew long the water’s edge and his eyes lighted up Instantly. He had a juve nile pasion for boats. ■‘Why, you got a boat, ain’t you. Miss Betty?” This was a charming and . 1 important discovery. •Would you like to go down to it?” in -ured Betty. •■[Jeed I would. Does she leak any, ;s Betty?" ••J d>'n’T know about that. Do boats ually leak, Hannibal?” •'Why, you ain't ever been out row- her.’ Miss Betty, have you?—and there ain't no better fun than rowing a • -.at!" They had started down the ih. ••1 u&ed to think that too, Hannibal; how do you suppose it is that when KT ile grow up they forget all about {je really nice things they might do?" •What use is she, if you don’t go ’inf? in her?’ persisted Hannibal. ••Oh. but it is used. Mr. Tom uses It in crossing to the other side where ■bey are clearing land for cotton. It ■aves him a long walk or ride about the head of the bayou.’ ••LjKe I should take you out in her, Wi«8 Betty?" demanded Hannibal with palpitating anxiety. They had entered the scattering tim- l»er when Betty paused suddenly with n ffrtled exclamation, and Hannibal f> lt her finuers close convulsively about his. The sound she had heard might have been only the rustling of the wind among the branches overhead ;n that shadowy silence, but Betty’s nerves, the placid nerves of youth and perfect health, were shattered. “Didn’t you hear something, Hanni bal?" she whispered, fearfully. For answer Hannibal pointed myster. iously, and glancing In the direction he indicated, Betty saw a woman ad vancing along the path toward them. The look of alarm slowly died out of bis eyes. •‘I think it’s the overseer** 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 its wlndinss. Once she was seen to stop and glance back over her shoulder, her attitude intent and listening, then she hurried for ward again. Just by the boat the three met. "Good evening!” asid Bettty, ptoas* antly. The girl made no reply to this; Me merely regarded Betty with a fixed stare. At length she broke the silence abruptly. “I got something I want to say to you—you know who I am, I reckon?” Hhe was a girl of about Betty’s own age, with a certain dark, aullen boauty and that physical attraction which Tom in spite of his vexed mood, had taken note of earlier in the day. •‘You are Bess Hicks,” said Betty. “Make the boy go back towards the house a E-pell—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. “I ain’t going to hurt you—you needn’t be afraid of me, I got something im portant to say—send him off, I tell you; there ain’t no time to lose!” The girl stamped her foot impatiently. Betty made a sign to Hannibal and he passed slowly back along the path ne went unwillingly. And he kept his head turned that he might see what was done, even if he were not to hear what was said. “That will do, Hannibal—wait there —don’t go any fartherl*^ Betty called after him when he had reached a point sufficiently distant to be out of hear ing of a conversation carried on in an ordinary tone. “Now, what is it? Speak quickly, if you have anything to tel me!’ "I got a heap to say,” answered the girl with a scowl. Her manner was still fierce and repellant, and she gave Betty a certain Jealous regard out of her black eyes which the Utter was at a loss to explain. “Where's Mr. Tom?*’ she demanded. “Tom? Why, about th« place. I aup- pose—in hif offlce. perhipt." So it W to do with Tom. ♦ • ♦ Betty felt sudden disgust with the situation. “No, he ain’t about the place, eith* ,er! He done struck out for Memphis two hours after sun-up, and what’s , more, he ain't coming back here to- I night—There w’as a moment of sil ence. The girl looked about apprehens ively. She continued, fixing her black eyes on Betty: “You’re here alone at Belle Plain—you know what happened I when Mr. Tom started for Memphis last time—I reckon you-all ain't forgot that!” j Betty felt a pallor steal over her lace. She rested a hand that shook on the trunk of a tree to steady her self. The girl laughed shortly. j ” “Don't be so scared; 1 reckon Belle Plain’s as good as his if any- ithing happened to you?’ • By a g'cat effort Beuy gained a measure of control over nerseli. She took a step nearer aud looked the girl ! steadily in the face. I "Perhaps you will stop this sort of ■ talk, and tell me what is going to happen to me—if you know 7 ’ she ; said quietly. •‘Why do you reckon .Mr. Norton •was shot? I can tell you why—it was .all along of you—that was why!" The girl's furtive glance, wlijch searched : and watched the gathering shadow’s, ! came back as it always did to Betty’s iiale face. 'You ain’t no safer than he ' was. 1 tell you!" and she sucked in her breath sharply between her full red ,Hps. ! “What do you mean?” faltered Betty. j "Do yon reckon you’re safe here in ' the big house alone. Why do you reckon Mr. Tom cleared out 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 as you can!’ “This is absurd—you are trying to frighten me!’ ‘Did they stop with trying to fright en Charley Norton?” demanded Bess, with harsh Insistence. WTiatever 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 s^illen sort of resent ment which lit up her glance with a dull fire; yet her feelings were so clearly and so keenly personal that Betty understood the motive that had brought her there. The explanation, she found, left her wondering just where and hqw her own fate was link ed with that of this poor white. “You have been waiting some time to see me?” she asked. “Ever since long 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.” “Alone—but how do you know who’s watching the place?’ “Do you think there was reason to be afraid of that?” asked Betty. Again the girl stamped her foot with angry Impatience. You’re just wastin’ 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 just where I am!’ ’ “Well, then, stay!” The girl turned away, and then as quickly turned back and faced Betty once more. “I reckon he’d kill me if he knew—I reckon I’ve earned that already—’ ’ Of whom are you speaking?’ 'He’ll have you away from here tonight!’ He? • • • who • • • and what if I refuse to go?” Did they ask Charley Norton whether he wanted to live or die?” came the sinister question. A shiver passed through Betty She was seeing it all again—Chaney as he 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 toss ed the branches of the trees, and the bands of golden light that slanted along the empty path. The fear of the unknown leaped up afresh in Betty’s soul; in an instant flying feet had borne her to the boy'a 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 fled 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 the child’s face, she added more quietly. “Don’t be frightened, dear, only we must go away from Belle Plain at once.” But where they were to go, she had not considered. Reaching the house, they stole to Betty’s room. Her well-filled purse was the important thing; that, together with some necessary clothing, went in to a small hand-bag. “You mus; carry this, Hannibal; if any one sees us leave the house they’ll think it something you are taking away,” she explained. Hannibal nodd ed understandingly. ‘Don’t you trust your niggers. Miss Betty?” he whispered as they went from the room. ‘I only trust you, dear!’ ‘What makes you go? Was it some thing that woman told you? Are they coming after us, Miss Betty? Is it Captain Murrell?” “Captain Murrell?” There was less of mystery now, but more of terror, and her hand stole up to her heart, and, white and slim, reeted against the black fabric of her dress. “Don’t you be scared. Miss Betty!” said Hannibal. They went silently from the house and again crossed the lawn to the ter. raw. Under the leafy arch which can opied them tiiere was already the deep puri^le of twiliibt “Do you reckon it were Captain | Murrell shot Mr. Norton, Miss Betty?” asked Hannibal in a shuddering whis per. “Hush—Oh, hush, Hannibal! It is too aw'ful to even speak of—” and, sobbing and half hysterical, she cov ered her face with her hands. “But where are we going. Miss Betty?” 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’l 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. “Whv ' 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 w'hich had taken the judge into town; she was sure it had not yet re turned. ‘We will go to the judge, Hannibal. George, w’ho drove him into Rf^leigh, has not come back; if w^e hurry we may meet him on the road.’ Screened by the thick shadows, they passed up the path that edged bayou; at the head of the inlet they entered a clearing, and crossing this they came to the cornfield which lay betw'een the house and the high road. Follow’ing one of the shock rows they hurried to the mouth of the lane. “Hannibal, 1 don't want to tell the judge why I am leaving Belle Plain— about the woman, I nisan.’’ said Betty. i‘You reckon they'd kill her, don t you Miss Betty, if they knew what she'd done?'’ speculated the boy. It oc curred to him that an adequate explan ation of their flight . would re quire preparation, sincQ the judge at all times, singularly alive to the slightest discrepancy of statement. They had issued from the corn field and w'ent along the road tow-ard Ral eigh. Suddenly Betty paused. “Hark!” she whispered. “It were nothing. Miss Betty,” said Hannibal reassuringly, and they hur ried forward again. Ini the utter still ness through whith 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 dust of the road. Vague forms that re solved themselves into trees and bush es seemed to creep toward them out of the night’s black uncertainty. Once more Betty paused. ‘ “It were nothing. Miss Betty,’ said Hannibal, as before, and he returned to his consideration of the judge. He sensed something of that intellectual nimblenese which his patron’s physical make-up in nowise suggested, sinc6 his face was a mask that usually left on^ in doubt as to just how much wt what he heard succeeded in making its im pression on him; but the.boy knew that Slocum Price’s blind side was a shelter less exposure. “You don’t think the carriage could have passed us while we were crossing the com field?” said Betty. “No, I reckon we couldn’t a-missed hearing it,” answered Hannibal. He h^d scarcely spoken when they caught the rattle of wheels and the beat of hoofs. These sounds swept near6r and nearer, and the darkness disgorged the Belle Plain team and cwriage. “George!” cried Betty, a world of re lief 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’s you. Missy?” “Yes, I wish you to drive me into Raleigh,’ said Betty, and she and Hari nibal entered the carirage. “All right, Missy. You-’ll ready fo’ me to go along out o’ here?’ “Yes—drive fast, George!’ urged Betty. ‘Tt's right dark fo’ fas’ drivin’. Missy, with the road jes’ aimin’ fo’ to bus’ yo’ springs with chuckholes!’ He bad turned his horses’ heads in the direction of Raleigh while he was speaking. “It’s scandalous black in these heah woods, Missy—I ’clar’ I never seen it no blacker!’ ’The carriage swung forward for per haps a hundred yards, then suddenly the horses came to a dead stop. * “Go along on, dar!” cried Geiorge, and stuck them with his whip, but the horses only reared and plunged. “Hold on, nigger!’’ said a rough voice out of the darkness. ‘What yo’ doin’?” the coachman gasped. ‘Don’t yo’ know dis de Belle Plain carirage? Take yo’ ban’s offen dem bosses’ bits!” Two men stepped to the side of the carriage. \ “Show your light, Bunker,” saW the same rough voice that had spoken fore. Instantly a hooded lanterri“^as uncovered, and Hannibal uttered a Cir of terror. He was looking into the face of Slosson, the tavem-keepr. (To Be Continued Tomorrow.) 'n The World And Its Troubles The srafters go on grafting and the bribers bribe away; The bosses still grow fatter and the people have to pay; Men with schemes that a^ro iteep on thriving everywhere But the world gpea on contriving to gat better day by day. The thugs are busy shooting, and th^ gangster’s arm is strong; The men we choose for office are in* clined io wink at wrong;- Though we do oar ^st to dri^ Out the crooks and thieves, - they thrive. But the world keeps bravely getting somewhat better right along. The rich lawbreakers calmly keep pur- ■tdng the old game; They are ever busy claiming what they hnv# no ri^t to oiain; They take tribute day by day And the public has to pay. But the worid, with aU its troubles, keeps Improving Just the same. The insurance agent has more trou bles than anybody else, still he is :nrilllng to offer himself, a willing sac rifice upon the altar of “More bnsi* ness,**. You can get the best insiuraiice on the market, at insurance headquar- tera. C. N. G. Butt & Go. tNtURANOI^ HIA0aUAflTft«B^ Quality Backs Up Every Price i ”■ '1. So that your every dollar Invested in Furniture and Homefurnlshings at the Parker-Gardner store mearfs 100 cents of real true Furniture and House, furnishing value. Quality—a better quality for your money has always been and ever will be the slogan of this store. always that quality muS* back up every purchase—that is the only assurance of a customer’s return—and upon customers’ returns depends the success of our business. Our realizing this assures you of bigger and every dollar—here than elsewhere. better values for your This and our splendid credit accommodation assures you always easy and satisfactory buying. Parker-Gardner Company aae sea COSTS TO BE CAFtDiNAL. Insignia and Tips Regulated, and Cost of Event, About $16,000, Paid by Loans. (Rome Corespondence New York Sun.) The elevation to the cardinalate costs in hats, rings and tips, regu lated by a fixed tariff, no ress than $16,000, which their Eminences usual ly are obliged to borrow and pay back in instalments out of their salaries.if It is true that during the last three concleves a foreigc candidate has never been put forward, but then, it must be remembered that the great majority of the voters were Italians It has 1-een conjectured that as Car dinal Merry del Val can col^nt on the votes of the Cardinals created under the present the present Pontificate it is not at all unlikely that he may be* come the future Pope. It is significant that even if the Pope will create seven curia cardinals—$200 a mjonth. be- more Cardinals and bring-the number sides perquisites—or out of their epis copal revenues if they are diocesan bishops. The most significant result of the forthcoming consitory will be that the Sacred College will now consist of 63 members, viz., 34 Italian car dinals and 29 foreigners. Of course, Mgr^ Falconio is considered as an Italian here, but he is a naturalized American citizen. Considering that five Italian cardinals are octogena rians and in very bad health, if a con clave be held before the Sacred Col lege is further increased, the possi bility of the election of Cardinal Ram- polla is greatly diminished, while, on the other hand, that of the election of a foreigner as Pope cannot 1)e ex cluded. If, in fact, the foreign car dinals vote for a foreign candidate, as their votes will be practically equal to those of the Italians, it is gulSicient for one-third of the Italian cardinals to Join the foreigners in order to make up the two-thirds of the total votes necessary for an election. TRUSTEE’S SALE OF REAL , . ESTATE Under and by virtue of the power contained in a deed of trust executed to me, the undersigned Trustee, by A. Medlam and'wife, which said deed of trust is registered in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Mecklenburg County, N. C., in Book 270, Pa’fee 100, on account of default in the payment of the indebtedness therein 'secured, I will, on Monday the 18th day of De- eeml^er at 12 o’clock M., at the Coun ty’Court House Door of Mecklenburg County, in Charlotte, N. C., sell to the hipest bidder at public auction that certain lot of land lying and being in Charlotte Township, Mecklenburg Ooimtr, North Carolina, and more par- de;ipt^be4 defined : fol-j Io\^ viz:"'■ Cohsisting of the inorthem portion of Lots Nos. 21, 22 and 23, as shown by Spratt’s Map of the Brown property, recorded in Book 163, Page 90, of the Register’s Office of said County; front ing 50 feet on Pox Street, corner of East Fifth Street (Extended) and ex- ^end^g back with that width parallel with said Fifth Str^t 120 feet, the same being across that portion of said lots 21, 22 and 23, as shown on said Map, which is covered by said lot /hereby conveyed, said lot being 50 feet by 120 feet, reserving and ex cepting a strip 5 feet wide and 120 feet deep, from the northern edge of said lot, to be used only for side walk. - Also a right of way over all the streets and alleys as shown on said Map, the same as was conveyed to Mrs. Ada G. Hester by deed of C. O. Brown and others, said deed being dated February 7, 1903, and recorded in Book 174, Page 390, of the Register’s Office of said County, an4 to this par ticular deed reference is hereby niade, the aforesaid de^ covering the identi cal property herein conveyed; Being the same lot of land which was con veyed to E .L. Keesler by Mrs. Ada 6. Hester by deed recorded in the said Register of Deeds Office, in Book 192, Page 578; being the same lot of land conveyed to the said A. Medlem by B. L. Keesler and wife by deed, registered in the Office of- the.RegisteF of Deeds for Mecklenburg , fconnty aforesatdi in Book 200,-^« Mi i ? Being the same lands conveyed in said Deed of Trust. Terms of sale. Cash. .a N. PHARR, of the Sacred College to 70, which is most unlikely, the customary propor tion of the Italian Cardinals, two- thirds of the total number, will not be reached. Archbishop Ireland has not been made a Cardinal because he has only a few good friends here and too many in America. Had Cardinal Satolli been alive, despite the fact that his influence with Pius X had greatly di minished of late, the Archbishop of St. Paul would have been the second American cardinal. Both Cardinals Kampolla apd Vannutelli are good friends of Archbishop Ireland. The former, however, has not been con sulted about the appoiiitment of the new cardinals, in fact, he only knew that a consistory had been announced wnen he read it in the Osservatore Romano. There is every reason to believe that Cardinal Rampolla strongly deplored Archbishop Ire land’s omission form the list, but as all his efforts are now directed to ward having Mgr. Della Chiesaj the Archbishop' of Bologna and former under Secretary of State, created a cardinal in the forthcoming consist ory or it is not llkiely that he will plead the cause of Archbishop Ireland. Auto Tires REPAIRED, VULCANIZED recovered Inner Tubes Vu**«anlzed. We guarantee they will never leak Where we vulcanize them. First puncture 50 cents. Second puncture 25 cents. Third puncture 26 cents. ▲11 sizes c5rried in stock. A Delighted Purchaser of one of oui Monitor Radiator tells us “I am heating seven rooms, with the amount of coal I would or dinarily consume in one grate” (Sev en times the space heated on tlie same coal consumption.) He is just one of the many pleased users of this wonderful stove, jjiat are doing likewise. THE FIVE RADIATING FRONT FLUES is what does the work. Xo ott er stove has them. Let us show you. J. N. McCausland & Gompaay “THE STOVE MEN’' 1 221 South Tryon Street Hand-Painted China. Adds to the beauty of any Dining Room. Pickard’s is hy far the most artistic line on the market. We have just opened a full assortmerrint of the newest shapes and designs which w^e are dis-' playing in our cases. Will be glad to show anyone interested. ^ Garabaldi, Bruns & Dixon ' JEWELERS AND SILVERSMITHS g Co 281 and 233 S. TryOn St. iriJloAa. THE SELWYN HOTEL EUROPEAN Oniy fire-proof hotel in Char lotte; supplied entirely with wa ter from its own deep well. CAFE OPEN Av/, NIGHT. Water analyzed 4ily 6, I9li, by Director State Laihoratory of Hygiene anb pronounced pure. Pure Water nom our Artesian Well, 303 1-2 feet deep, for sale. 6c gallon at Hotel. , lOc gallon in 5-galloa lota., Lfelivered in Charlotte or at R. R. Sutkm. EDGAR B. MOOI^E, Proprietor. COAL-Coal WJien pr^iering Coal it ,will pay to remember that, we are the ONLY Coal Deal ers in the city who can give you clean and dry Coal in rainy and snowy weather, as it is under c o A L shelter. COME AND SEE OUR BIG SHED. STANDARD ICE & FUEL CO. Pboaes 19 and 72 CON ijofil Relieve* jliaifl’s Vegeta I pewittvillc. take Lydj Et now 1 oo i&oubles. I ha'' liaughter n.9^’ I before taking I The above is [sands of grate: Ifonstantly bei Pinkham Medic kass., which prj Lydia E. Pinkl hound, made i ■ictually does cu Kases of womei liuffering woma 1st least giveLyc iLahle Compounc I ling to ftn opc hope of recover; I Mrs. Pinkh /invites all si I tier for ad vie {thousands tc I id vice is free* [Monday With Charlie Orr, Ithe costs thif? Icourt for havii jurday on Easi jsergeant Your [placed him ui I Will Thompa |?d with vagn nerved by Oi [Johnston abou I Robinson freqi jer in the attit j.ng Mr. F. M. ae, however, ];he impression L'ork entirely jft'as allowed t( John Thoms it'll the cost as also Jot ?.;ker, v.'hite forfeited (liis on appear Lecna Hill, were th jin' ” contest Ifr’s row, the i: [investigated [lake Newell jants; Leona land Amy Hou jtie wwarrant [ft took quite Mr. Newell, [Recorder Smi Jail happened, [long the qu Inaively repii |nio’ dan er intf: were tax Jack White, |a witness in jcharfred with son. colored, [ho having die .‘^ault took pli [dence to prov the assault, that it was di I nesses also t assault was 01 the defendan the city sin [^'as dismisse e Special: Plete in 3 ree!| and Fri Sin Dept Phone 1530 have gainiri swept ^hat yi