--"

"Betty!" cried Mrs. Ferris indignantly.

"Judith, the moral is as obvious as it is necessary."

Mrs. Ferris gave her a reproachful look and turned to the children.

"You will all be here next Sunday, won't you?--and at the same hour?"
she said, rising.

There was a sudden clatter of hoofs beyond the door. A man, well dressed
and well mounted had ridden into the yard. As Mrs. Ferris came from the
cabin he flung himself out of the saddle and, hat in hand, approached
her.

"I am hunting a place called the Barony; can you tell me if I am on the
right road?" he asked. He was a man in the early thirties, graceful and
powerful of build, with a handsome face.

"It is my husband you wish to see? I am Mrs. Ferris."

"Then General Quintard is dead?" His tone was one of surprise.

"His death occurred over a year ago, and my husband now owns the Barony;
were you a friend of the general's?"

"No, Madam; he was my father's friend, but I had hoped to meet him." His
manner was adroit and plausible.

Mrs. Ferris hesitated. The stranger's dress and bearing was that of a
gentleman, and he could boast of his father's friendship with General
Quintard. Any doubts she may have had she put aside.

"Will you ride on with us to the Barony and meet my husband, Mr.--?" she
paused.

"Murrell--Captain Murrell. Thank you; I should like to see the old
place. I should highly value the privilege," then his eyes rested on
Miss Malroy.

"Betty, let me present Captain Murrell."

The captain bowed, giving her a glance of bold admiration.

By this time the children had straggled off into the pine woods as
silently as they had assembled; only Yancy and Hannibal remained. Mrs.
Ferris turned to the former.

"If you will close the cabin door, Mr. Yancy, everything will be ready
for next Sunday," she said, and moved toward the horses, followed by
Murrell. Betty Malroy lingered for a moment at Hannibal's side.

"Good-by, little boy; you must ask your Uncle Bob to bring you up to the
big house to see me," and stooping she kissed him. "Good-by, Mr. Yancy,
I liked your story."

Hannibal and Yancy watched them mount and ride away, then the boy said:

"Uncle Bob, now them ladies have gone, won't you please show me them
dints you made in the doorjamb?"

CHAPTER III. TROUBLE AT SCRATCH HILL

Captain Murrell had established himself at Balaam's Cross Roads. He
was supposed to be interested in the purchase of a plantation, and in
com