You-all don't know that I seed Auntie Sue that night 'fore she went away, an' that hit was me took her ter the station with 'Old Prince,' an' brung him back, did you ?" "No," said Betty Jo, "I did not know; and if Auntie Sue told you not to tell us about it, I would rather you did not, Judy." "I ain't aimin' ter," Judy returned; "but Auntie Sue don't know nothin' 'bout what's happened since she went away, an' hit's that what's a-makin' me come ter you-all." Betty Jo, seeing that the poor girl was laboring under some intense emotional stress, said, gently: "What is it that you wish to tell me, Judy?
I am sure Auntie Sue will not mind, if you feel so about it." The mountain girl's eyes filled and the tears streamed down her sallow cheeks, while her twisted shoulders shook with the grief she could not suppress, as she faltered: "My God-A'mighty! Miss Betty Jo, I--I--didn't aim ter do hit! I sure didn't! 'Fore God, I'd er let 'em kill me first, if I'd only had time ter think.

But hit--hit--was me what told that there woman how Mr.Burns was Brian Kent.

Hit's--hit's--me what's ter blame for gittin' her killed in the river an' him so nigh drowned.

O God! O God! If he'll only git well! "An' I ain't a-feelin' toward you-all like I did, Miss Betty Jo.

I can't no more.