At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

66 AT A GIRL’S MERCY. ‘Dars ten ob dem side ourse’ves.”’ She said nothing about Nina. She must be sure of the woman before she implicated others in her plot. “Well,’? Mississippi said, coolly, “I ain’ vot nothin’ ’gainst odders goin’. Ef dey is goin’ “long, let ’em; I ain’t got nothin’ ter say ’bout that; an’ ef I’se goin I’se goin’; dey can’t keep me frum git- tin’ my freedum ef I’se willin’ ter fight fer et. Ise ain’ got no quest’ns ter ask. Yo’ ’s goin’ an’ I’se goin’, let de odders be whomever dey is. ’Tain’ none - o my business, chile. Ise go fas’ ’nough.’’ She started down the hall lest they be seen to- gether, and rouse suspicion; but she suddenly turned back to where Lola stood at the window, her heart full of thankfulness that so far she need fear no harm from betrayal. | “Ef I wus yo’, chile,’’ she said, very low, glanc- ing around over her shoulder to see that no one else could hear, *‘I’d be keerfu’ how I tole or let Cl’issa hear ob et. She ain’ so good friend as she wouldn’t tell ob us jes’ fer spitefulness. She ain’ too good fer it, I tell yo’.’’ Sts Lola’s own mind was unsettled about Clarissa, and Mississippi’s words sent a chill to her heart, though her purpose was strong as ever to give her a chance with them. But it was not till toward night that the oppotunity came to her to tell: the woman. They were walking together down to the quarters, and there was no danger of listeners. For an instant the girl’s heart went up in prayer that no harm should come to her or her friends through the words she would utter; then very quietly and concisely | she told her of their plan of escape, and waited with her heart in her mouth for the answer that would mean life or death to them; for if the woman re- Eomicbooks.co