mate in Alabama is taking the spirit out of you. You were not afraid of the devil in hell in the old days a few years ago."

"Legree is a very devil incarnate when he is opposed," responded his friend. "I have lived here for several years and I know him."

"If every hair on his bullet head were a devil I would no more fear him than I would a rabbit," said Jefferson, drawing himself up to his full height. "Cheer up, Donald. Jefferson Lilly is able to take care of himself anywhere."

But Donald only shook his head sadly.

Jefferson remembered afterward his friend's fears. He soon found out they were not groundless.

CHAPTER V

AN AUTOMOBILE RIDE

JEFFERSON LILLY left Donald Shelby's office that afternoon in high spirits. Never did a young man, confident in himself and full of the joy of living, face the future with brighter hopes than this stalwart son of Alabama did that day.

Remembering the momentary pause before Florence 'Ashley withdrew her fair hand after he had raised it to his lips on the previous night, he determined to make it a day memorable for his victory in love as well as in war. With Legree crouching beneath his feet, he would now endeavor to crown himself with Miss Ashley's favor.

He was an expert motorist and Miss Ashley had promised to accompany him on an automobile ride. Going to a garage, he engaged the best car available and was soon rolling along the streets of Dothan in the direction of the stately Ashley home.

"I will be delighted to go with you," said the girl. "This is such a perfect day, and I have nothing whatever on hand. I am glad you have come for me"; and she beamed on him as she prepared for the excursion. Jefferson was jubilant.

In the powerful and magnificent motor car, which he controlled with perfect mastery, Jefferson Lilly and his companion made a fair picture as they speeded along

through the main street of the city out to the long level stretches of country roads.

"Curse him, there he goes, the upstart fool! I'll soon make his cake into dough," and Peter Legree swore a vile oath. He saw the happy couple go past from the window of his office, and the venom of a thousand rattlesnakes was in his heart.

But, all unconscious of anything in the world except beauty and love, Jefferson drove his car swiftly outside the bounds of the city.

"Be careful, Mr. Lilly. I am afraid you are reckless with an automobile," said the girl as they darted past a buggy at full speed.

"Trust me, Miss Ashley. I have had some splendid rides in motor cars and I have never had an accident yet. I want you to let me give you a fast ride as soon as we get out a few miles."

He turned to look at his companion for a moment, and it is not to be wondered at that his heart began to beat almost as fast as the motor's engine. Florence Ashley was a picture that day, charming and bewitching. Her hat was secured with a silken scarf, which was tied in a large bow beneath her dimpled chin. A few locks of her raven tresses had escaped from their confinement and were waving in triumph over the scarf. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her lips slightly apart, her eyes shining with pleasure.

"All right!" she cried out gayly, answering his words and not his look of admiration. "You are in charge this afternoon, and I want you to show me what a real automobile ride is. The Dothan young men are afraid of a motor."

"I wonder what it is that cuts the nerve of your young men around here," said Jefferson, rather unconscious of