Page:Orange Grove.djvu/391

 you got me back and forced me to live with that brute to raise you slaves for the market, and just as sure as you take me out of this house I'll tell her, or somebody that it will get to her, or if you sell either of my children.' The oldest one was sold to help pay the debts after his father died, and I hadn't forgot it. He turned as white as a sheet and I thought he almost trembled, but whether with anger or fear I could not tell. I knew I was havin' my revenge, and I was as firm as a stone. I had no more fear of him than as if he had been my slave, and he knew I had him in my power, unless he took my life. I always knew he was afraid I should tell you about his child, but if he'd treated me well I shouldn't, for I loved him enough never to have run away if it hadn't been for fear of the child bein' sold, and I knew there was no confidence to be put in his word more than any body else, and that it wouldn't be any safer than if it had been David's."

Mrs. Carleton listened to this recital apparently unmoved, but a storm of agitation was raging in her bosom, and before it was finished her resolution was formed which, ere two days passed away, resulted in another exit from the house of Mr. Carleton. A fugitive wife and her two children took a train of cars for the north, and when her husband returned at the end of a week, he found himself minus the brunette, the wife and children, for whom he really had a very strong affection. Chrissy met him in her usual fearless manner secretly exulting in his mortifying predicament, and nothing daunted. The brunette he was obliged to give up as lost property.