maville and yet be free from
the danger of being identified as Dave Harper, he found
employment in a saloon patronized only by whites. It was here
that he overheard Arthur Daleman, Jr., telling his companions
of a pretty 'coon,' Foresta Crump, whom he had slated for his
next victim. Knowing that Foresta was Bud's fiancee he
determined to look into the matter. As he watched the Daleman
residence he saw Arthur Daleman, Jr., enter the servant girl's
room. Judging that Foresta was favorably receiving his
attentions Dave determined upon the killing of them both. Thus
it was that my dear Alene lost her life. She received a blow
that was drawn to her by the wicked plannings of her foster
brother.

"Dave Harper supposing that he killed Foresta and Arthur
Daleman, Jr., ran by home, made himself known to his mother and
confessed all to her. He told his mother that Leroy Crutcher
had seen him and no doubt mistook him for Bud and that he would
therefore be compelled to hover near the city so that he might
return and confess to the committing of the crime in case Bud
was about to be made to suffer for his deed.

"Such are the facts as they came to me from Aunt Dilsy's
husband. I have confronted Arthur Daleman, Jr., with the matter
and he has confessed to his part of the awful tragedy.

"I have now changed back to the white race. In my capacity of a
white man I have assured Aunt Dilsy that Bud Harper shall not
be molested and have assured Mrs. Crump that it is safe for
Foresta to return. The two women are happy souls. I have
succeeded in locating Bud and Foresta and shall leave at once
for the purpose of restoring them to their families and their
friends.

"My dear Norfleet, in view of the terrible way things get
twisted down here, don't you think it is an awful shame that
this weak and often hated race is denied the right of trial by
jury?
"RAMON."

CHAPTER XIX.

_The Fugitives Flee Again._

When Bud Harper and Foresta, on the night following their elopement,
returned to Almaville, Bud took Foresta by her home to break the news to
her mother, leaving her at the gate, while he went to his home to tell
his mother. Finding a corpse in his house and noting the terror that his
appearance seemed to ins