Newspapers / The Monroe Journal (Monroe, … / July 9, 1912, edition 1 / Page 2
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1 '"iaammm ' TheProdigal I Judge lievma. i.'.L 1 Uw AktiiU loavaoy) CHAPTER XVIil. Betty Leaves Bella Plain. Haaclbal had devoted himself loj' ally to the judges glorification, and Petty heard all about the letter, the nutting of the randies and the re ward of Ave thousand dollars. It vast ly increased the child's sense of im portance and satisfaction when he discovered she hud known cotbiug ol these matters until ho told her ol them. "Why, where would Judge Price get so much money, Hannibal?" she asked, greatly astonished. "He won't have fc get it, Miss Het ty; Mr. Ma tut fly says he don't reckon no one will ever tell who wrote the letter he 'lows the man who done that will keep pretty mum he Just dj'ssent tell!" the boy explained. "No, I suppose not " and Betty saw- that perhaps, alter all, the judge had not assumed any very great finan cial responsibility. "He can't be a coward, though, Han nibal:" she added, fjr she under stood that the risk of personal vio lence which he ran was genuine. She had formed her own unsympathetic estimate of him that day at Hoggs' race-truck; Mah.tffy in his blackest hour could have added nothing to it. Twice s::ice then she had met him In Raleigh, w hich had only served to fix that first impression. ".Miss Netty, he's just like my t'nele Bob was be ain't airnid of nothing: He totes them pistols of his loaded If you no ice good you can seo where they uulgs out his cont:" Han nibal's eyes, very round aud big, looked up tr.M hers. "Is he as poo.- as he seems, Han nibal?" iiicnitied Hetty. "He never has no money, Miss Bet ty, bat I don't reckon he's what a body would call pore." It might have bullied a far more mature intelligence than Hannibal's to comprtheud those peculiar process es by which the judge sustained him self and his Ultimate fellowship with adversity that it was his magnifi cence of mind which made the squalor of his dully Hie seem merely a passing phase but the boy had managed to point a delicate distinc tion, and Hetty grasped something of the hepe and faith which never quite tiled out in Slocuin Price's indomita ble breast. 'Tut you always have enough to ent, der.r?" she questioned anxiously. Hannibal promptly reassured her on tMs point. "You wouldn't let mo think anything that was not true, Han nibal you are quite sure you have mvor teen hungry?" "Never, Miss Hetty; honest!" Hetty gave a sigh of relief. She had been reproaching heraelf for her neglect of the child; she bad meant to do so much for him and had dona nothing! Now it was too lute for her personally to interest herself In his behalf, yet before she left for the east she could provide for him. If she bad felt It was possible to trust the Judge she would have made him her agent, but even lu his best aspect he evincl a dubious dependence. Tom, Bad Taste in the Mouth Dizziness, and a general "no account" feeling is a sure sign of a torpid liver. The remedy is Simmons Red Z Liver Regulator (The Powder Form). It exercises its greatest restorative effect in the liver, yet it is effective in the stomach and bowels. Indi gestion, constipation and their attendant evils disap pear before its powerful, regulating influence. Try its wholesome purifying proper ties. It will give you a good appetite, sound digestion and make you feel well. Sold by Dealers Price, Large Package, S1.00 Aik foe the renolne vtth tl Red 2 oft the label. If yoa cmnot get it. lemrt to u, we siU lend It tf Bull. pi:d Simmon, Liver Rrrjlttof if aim put up in liquid turn tot (boat trbo arcter V. Price ft OU per bonk. Look loc Uie Red Z labeL J. B. ZEILIN & CO., rraptiotoei St. Loais, liUMurl Hol.l by TIIK IMOX DUU. H. A man doesn't necessarily have to ho Rharn tn have his Kood Doints. Some fellows spend all of their time trying to prove that men is against them. for quit diSereet reasons, was equal ly out of the question. Sa thought of Mr. Mshsffy. "What hind of a man is Mr. Ma hafty. Hannibal r "He's an awful nice man. Miss Bet ty, only he never lets on; a body's gjt to nod it out for his own self ts ain't like the judge." -Does he drink, too, Hannibal?" questioned Betty. -Oh, yes; when he can get the licker, he does." It was evident that Hannibal was cheerfully tolerant ot this weakness on the part ot the austere Mabaffy. fly this time Betty was ready to weep over the child, with his knowledge of shabby vice, and his fresh young faith in those old tatterdemalions. "But, no matter what they do, tbey are very, very kind to you?" she con tinued tremulously. "Yes. ma'am why, Miss Betty, they're lovely men!" -And do you ever hear the things spoken of you learned about at Mrs. Ferris' Sunday-school?" "Whea the judge Is drunk be talks a heap about 'em. It's beautiful to hear him then; you'd love It, Miss Iietty." and Hannibal smiled up sweet ly Into her face. "Does he have you go to Sunday school In Raleigh?" The boy shook his head. "I ain't got no clothes that's Btten to wear, nor no pennies to give, but the judge, be 'lows that as soon as he ran make a raise I got to go, and he's learning me my letters but we ain't a book. Miss Hetty, I reckon ltd stump you some to guess how he's fixed it for nie to learn?" "lie's drawn the letters for you, it that the way?" In spite of herself. Hetty was experiencing a certain re vuision of feeling where the judge and Mahaffy were concerned. They were doubtless bad enough, but they could have been worse. "No, ma'am; he done soaked the label oft one of Mr. Pegloe's whisky bottles end pasted it on the wall just as high as r.iy rbin, so's I can see it piod. and he's learning nie that-a-way! Maybe you've seen the kind ol bottle I mean Pegloe's Mississippi I'llot; I'ure Cum Whisky?" But Han nihal's bright lis tie face fell. He war quick to see that the educational sys tem devised by the Judge did not im press Hetty at all tavorably. She drew him into her arms. "You shall have my books the books I learned to read out of when 1 uas a little girl, Hannibal!" "I like learning from the label pret ty well," sai l Hannibal loyally. "Hut you'll like the books better dear, when you see them. I know Just where they ure, lor I happened on them on a shelf In the library onl the other day." After they had found and examined the books and Hannibal had gruding ly admitted that they might posses certain points of advantage over the label, be and Hety went out for t walk. It was now late afternoon anr the sun was sinking behind the wal. of the forest tbut rose along the Ar kitnsas coast. Their steps had let: them to tho terrace where the stood looking off Into tho west, it was here that Iietty had said good-bj to Bruce Carrington it might have been months ago, and it was onl days. She thought of Charley Charley, with his youth and hope anr high courage unwittingly enough she had ltd him on to his death! A sot rose in her throat. Hannibal looked up Into her face Tho memory of his own loss wut never very lor.g absent from his mind, and Miss Hetty had been the victim of a similarly sinister tragedy He recalled those first awful days oi loneliness through which he had lived when there was no I'r.ele Hob sott voiced, smiling nud infinitely com paniorable. "Why, Hannibal, you are crying what about, dear?" asked Hetty sud , denly. "No, ma'am; I ain't crying," salcj Hannibal stoutly, but his wet lashes gave tho lie to his words. "Are you homesick do you wish tc go back to the judge and Mr. Ma ha ffy?" "No, ma'nm It ain't that I wa; just thinking" "Thinking about what, dear?" "About my t'nele Bob." The small face was very wistful. "Oh and you still miss him sc much, Hannibal?" "I bet I do I reckon anybody who knew Uncle Bob would never get over missing him; they Just couldn't. Mist Betty! The judge is mighty kind, and so Is Mr. MahalTy they're awful kind, Miss Betty, and it seems like they get kinder all the time but with Uncle Bob, when he liked you, he just laid himself out to let you know it!" "That does make a great differ ence, doesn't It?" agreed Betty sadly, and two piteous tearful eyes were bent upon him. , "Don't you reckon If Uncle Bob Is alive, like the judge says, and he's ever going to find me, he had ought to be here by now?" continued Han nlbal anxiously. "Rut It hasn't been such a great while, Hannibal; it's only that so much has happened to you. If be was very badly hurt It may have been weeks before be could travel; and then when be could, perhaps be went back to that tavern to try to learn what had become of you. But we may be quite certain he will never abandon his search until he has made every possible effort to find you, dear! That means he will sooner or later come to west Tennessee, for there will always be the hope that you have found your way here." "Sometimea I get mighty tired wait inc, Miss Betty," confessed the boy. "Seems like I Just couldn't wait no longer " He sighed gently, and then his face cleared. "You rsckon he'll come moat say time, don't you. Miss Betty r "Yes, Hannibal; any day or nour!" "Whoop!" muttered Hannibal soft ly under his breath. Presently he asked: -Where does that branch take you to?" He nodded toward the bayou at the foot of the terraced bluS. "It empties Into the river," an swered Betty. Hannibal saw a small skiff beached among the cottonwoods that grew along the water's edge and bis eyes lighted up Instantly, lie bad a juvenile passion for boats. "Why. you got a boat, ain't you. Miss Betty?" This was a charming and an important discovery. -Would you like to go down to Itr Inquired Hetty. "'Deed I would! Does she lesk any, MUs Betty?" "I don't know about that. Do boats usually leak. Hannibal?" "Why. yo-i ain't ever been out row ing ter. Miss Hetty, have you? and there ain't no better tun than rowing a boat!" They bad started dt"n the path. "I used to think that, too, runni bal; bow do you suppose It is that when people grow up they forget all about the really nice things they 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 tbey are clearing land for cotton. It saves him a long walk or ride about the bead of tbe bayou." "Like 1 should take you out in ber. Miss Betty?" demanded Hannibal with palpitating anxiety. They had entered the scattering timber when Betty paused suddenly with a startled exclamation, and Han nibal felt her' Bngers close convul sively about his. Tbe sound she bad heard might have been only tbe rust ling ot the wind among tbe branches overhead in that shadowy silence, but Betty's nerves, the placid nerves ot youth and perfect health, w-ere shat tered. "Didn't you hear something, Han nibal?" she whispered fearfully. For answer Hannibal potntod mys teriously, and glancing in the direc tion he Indicated. Betty saw a w.minn advancing along the path toward thPtn. The look of alarm slowly died out of his eyes. "I tbinlt it's the overseer's niece," she told Hannibal, and they kept on toward the boat. Tho girl came rapidly up the path, which closely followed the Irregular line of the shore In its windings. Once she w as seen 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. "Uood evening!" said Betty pleas nntly. The girl made i.o reply to this; she merely regarded Betty with a tlxed stare. At length she broke the si lence abruptly. "I got something 1 want to say tc you you know who I am, I reckon?' She was a girl of about Hetty's own age, with a certain dark, sullen beau ty and that physical attraction which Of "You Needn't Be Afraid, I Cot Some thing Important to Say." Tom, in spite of his vexed mood, bad taken note of earlier In tbe day. "You are' Bess Hicks," said Betty. "Make the boy go back toward tbe house a spell I got something I want to say to you." Betty bosltated. She was offended by the girl's manner, which was as rude as ber speech. "1 ain't going to hurt you y.m needn't be afraid of me. I got something Inv portant to say send him oft, 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. He went unwillingly, and he kept his bead turned that he might see what was done, even if he were not to bear what was said. "That will do, Hannibal wait there don't go any farther!" Betty called after htm when he had reached a point sufficiently distant to be out of bearing of a conversation carried on In on ordinary tone. "Now, what Is it? Speak quickly If you have any thing to tell me!" "I got a heap to say," answered the Slrl with a scowl. Her manner was Ftlll fierce and rrpellant, and she gave Betty a certain Jealous regard out of ber black eve which the latter was r.t a loss to exphln. "Where's Mr. Ton?" she demanded. "Tom? Why, about the place, I suppose in his office, perhaps." So It bad to do with Tom. . . . Betty 'elt suddon dispart with tbe situation. "No, he ain't about tbe place, eith er! He done struck out for Memphis two hours after sun-up, and what's more, he alnt coming back her 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 Belle Plain yon know what happened when Mr. Tom started tor Memphis last time I reckon you-aU alnt 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 his it anything happened to you?" By a great effort Betty gained a measure of control over herself. She took a step nearer and looked tbe girl steadily In the face. "Perhaps you will stop this 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 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 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. 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 ber glance with a dull Are; yet her feelings were so clearly and so keenly personal that Hetty understood the motive that bad 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 aTrald to come to the house?" "I didn't want to be Been 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 tbe 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 whnt I have to fear I must know more or I shall stay Just where 1 am!" "Well, then, stay!" The girl turned away, and then as quickly turned back and laced Betty once more. "I reckon bed kill me If he knew 1 reckon I've earned that already" "Or whom are you speaking?" "He'll have you away from here to night!" "He? . . . who ... and what if I refuse to go?" "Did they ask Charley Norton v nether h wanted to live or tllo?" came the sinister question. A shiver passed through Hetty. She was seeing it all again Charley 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 tossed the branches ot the trees, and the bands of golden light that slanted along the empty path. The fear of the unknown leaped up afresh tn Het ty's soul; tn an Instant flying feet had borne her to the boy's side. "Come come quick, Hannibal!" she gasped out, and seized his band. "What is It, Miss Betty? What's the matter?" asked Hannibal as they fled panting up tbe 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 bo frightened, dear, only wo must go away from Belle Plain at once." But where they were to go, she had not considered. Reaching tbe house, they stoie to Betty'o room. Her well-tilled purse was the Important thing; that, togeth er with some necessary clothing, went into a small hand-bag. "You must carry this, Hannibal; If any one sees us leave the house they'll think it something you are tak ing away," she explained. Hannibal nodded understandtngly, "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 tbey coming after us, Miss Betty? Is It Captain Murrell?" "Captain Murrell?" There was less of mystery now, but more ot terror, and ber hand stole up to her heart, and, white and slim, rested against the black fabric ot ber dress. "Don't you be scared, Miss Bettyl said Hannibal. They went silently from the bouse and again crossed the lawn to the ter race. Under the leafy arch which can opied tbem there was already tbe deep purple of twilight. "Do you reckon it were Captain Murrell shot Mr. Norton,' Miss Bet- Take a Little Iron Your Pay Envelope and deNiU It in (his savings bank. You'll never miss tho money, which you would probably k-iil need. IrtwJy anyway. Hat If you krrp up habit you'll have a (My sum to your credit at the end of the year and you'll know the iiiiiiirnse sat UfautioB of having money ahead, t'oninicnce nvt my day. OPEX AX ACCDI XT WITH VS. Savings, Loan & Trust Company. . B. Eedwine, President H. B. Clark, Cashier. 1 The Latest Thing in Stoves For a midnight supper, as lot any other meal at any ' ' other time, the very latest thing in stoves the best that stove-artists can do is a Oil Cook-stovs It Burns Oil No Ashes It Concen trates Heat -No Waste It Is Handy No Dirt It is Ready No Delay NEWARK. N. J. It concentrate the heat when you wast it am where you want it It it aa quick at eat, tttadicr and handier than coal, cheaper than electricity. Ilia New Perfreiioe Store hu lonf, awameVd, turqooue-blufl chimney. It it kandtume.y tmnhed in R:t:te!, with cabinet top, drop thelvca, locl racls, etc Mada with 1. 2 or 3 buraert. All dealer, carry th New Perleciira Stow. Free Cook-Book with every etova. Cooh.Book alio given to anyone acadinf 5 ccob to cover mailing cnet. STANDARD OIL COMPANY (Incorporated la New Jeraey) BALTIMORE, MD. WAIT A MINUTE the procrastinator says, and the oppor tunity is gone. Is Tiiat So says the cynic, and unearthed treasures remain buried at his door. I Will investigate says the wide-a-wake business man who is looking for a bargain, and he goes straight to Fowler & Lee's stable and buys a buggy. Our Intentions. It is our intention to sell buggies, lots of buggies, and we can only do this by making the prices right. Everything else is right, so come and investigate our terms and prices. Extra Good Bar gains. We have 50 buggies of all kinds and conditions that have been used more or less. We are pushed for room, so we are going to turn them loose at prices far below their actual value. FOWLER & LEE CO. Leading Dealers and Liverymen.
The Monroe Journal (Monroe, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 9, 1912, edition 1
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