Part 23 (1/2)

”Shut up!” and again that whip rang like the whisper of soirl, ”or I shall----”

”Oh, no, you--won't You just hold--your tongue”

The horses shi+ed, and the wagon skidded Were they held up?

”Right there, Sam,” ordered the driver ”Easy--steady, Ned Pull over here”

The wagons er of discovery had passed

”Keep quiet in there,” called a rough voice from the seat ”These woods are thick with trailers”

For some time no one within the van spoke Then Cora turned, and the wo over Cora's nose

”Oh, don't! She has had enough Let her at least live,” begged the younger wo Cora's white face with her own soiled handkerchief

The night seemed blacker and darker at each turn Shouts from the searchers occasionally reached the ears of those within the wagon, and once Mr Rand on his donkey ht have seen them but for the trickery of the driver, who pulled his horses into some shadowy bushes and waited for the searchers to pass

The young gypsy woman peered down into Cora's face

”She's pretty,” she said, with some sympathy

”Well, by the time she's out perhaps she won't be so pretty,” sneered the older woe for Salvo, and I'll have it”

”Oh, you and Salvo! Seeht to be able----”

”You cat! Do you want to go back to the cave?”

The girl was silent again

”Where--aive her another drop of that stuff, or I'll--squeal!”

The old woon Mother Hull felt, rather than saw, that the younger one would do as she threatened

Shethe woods would hear

”We will soon be there Then she

Cora tossed on her bed of straw The chlorofor borne away soht She could reone inside the hotel, and he had not come back! He would be back presently, and yes, she would try to sleep until he returned!

She e struggle of sound that co except to the sleeper

”She's choking,” said the gypsy girl