You need not stay here to-night. I will
occupy your room."

Foresta was very glad indeed, as an early release enabled her to carry
out some plans of her own.

* * * * *

"Mama," said Foresta, her face buried in her mother's lap, "I have
something which I wish to tell you."

Her mother stroked her hair, and said, "Tell me, dear."

"You know Mr. Arthur Daleman, Jr., threatened you with the penitentiary,
but compromised the matter on the condition that I should work for him."

"Yes, dear," said Mrs. Crump, beginning to breathe fast through the
force of increased excitement.

"He pretended that he would not cancel the matter, in order that he
might be sure to hold me as a servant," said the girl.

Foresta paused and her mother said, "Go on; I am listening."

"He had dark purposes, mama," said Foresta.

"Yes," said Mrs. Crump, rather feebly, fearful of what was to come.

Foresta, detecting considerable anxiety in her mother's voice, looked up
quickly.

"Now, mama, don't look so scared and troubled; it isn't anything awful,
now." So saying, she buried her face again and continued her recital.
"He pretends to love me, mama. He has tried many times to kiss me. I
knew what kind of a sword he held over you, and while I resented his
advances, I sought not to enrage him for your sake."

"Well!" said Mrs. Crump, thoroughly alarmed.

"I kept him in his place by threatening to tell Miss Alene. He thinks
lots of her and that scared him. He wouldn't care about anybody else."

Foresta took another look into her mother's face, then resumed her
former attitude. Continuing, she said:

"Miss Alene leaves to-morrow, and I am afraid to stay there with him.
You know a colored girl has no protection. If a white girl is insulted
her insulter is shot down and the one who kills him is highly honored.
If a colored girl is insulted by a white man and a colored man resents
it, the colored man is lynched."

Mrs. Crump let a tear drop and it fell on Foresta's cheek. Foresta felt
the tear and raised herself and said.

"Now, you bad mama, you! What's the use crying? I'll take care of
myself," a fierce gleam coming into her pretty eyes.

Having wiped her mother's cheeks free from tears, Foresta buried her
face again.

"I am not going back any more. I am going to get married to-night. Bud
and I are going to get married. And Bud has saved up enough money to pay
us out of debt."

Mrs. Crump now underst