The Washington herald., 1911-10-22
CHAPTER VIII.
On the River.

On the River.
Betty stood under a dripping umbrella
in the midst of a downpour.
Just arrived by the four-horse coach
that piled regularly between Washing
ton and Georgetown, she had iound the
long board platform beside tic canal
crowded with h-r fellow passengers.
Suddenly she became aware Of \ tall
familiar figure moving through the
crowd. 1t was Bruce Darlington. At
the same moment he saw her, and with
a casual air that quite deceived her, ap-
preached.
You're leaving to-nightY he asked.
"Yes-isn't is miserable the way it
rains? And why are they so slow-Why
don't they hurry with that Doar?"
ITS in the last lock now explained
Darlington, and gathering up Betty's
hand luggage, he helped her aboard.
By the time they had reached Wheel
ing, Betty had quite parted with what
ever superficial prejudice she might have
had concerning riYermen. This partcu-
lar one was evidently very nice river
man, an exception to mis- kind He made
choice of the steamer on which she
should continue her journey, and
thOughtfully chose the Mazda slow boat.
I haven't a thing to offer iler-this is
plain madness of mine!' ne kept telling
himself, and then the expression Of his
face would become grim and determined.
No more of the river frr hiIn-hr would
get hold of some land and go 10 raising
cotton; that was the way money was
made.
Slow as the Naiad was, the days
passed much too swiftly for him. When
Memphis was reached. their friendly in
tercourse would come to an end. There
would be her brother, of whom she had
occasionally spoken-he would be pretty
Certain TO have the ideas of his class.
The days, Ike any other days, dwin-
died The end of it all was close at
nand. Another twenty-fOur hours and,
Darlington reflected. there would only be
GOod-by to say.
We will reach New Madrid tonight. "
he told her. They were watching the
river. under d flood Of yellow moonlight
Darlington, with his back against a
stancnion. watched her discontentedly.
''YouH be mighty glad to have this
over with. Miss Malroy." he said at
length. with a comprehensive sweep to-
ward the river
"Yes-shan't ycu?" and she opened her
eyes questiOninEly.
NO, said Darlington with a short
laugh, drawing a chair near hers and
sitting down
Betty in surprise, gave him a quick
look, and then as quickly glanced away
from what she encountered in his eyes.
As she looked. suddenly pale points of
light appeared on a distant headland.
Is that New Madrid? Oh. is it, Mr..
Carrington?" she cried eagerly
I reckon So" but he did not alter
his position.
But you're not looking"
of 7
reckon you'll think me crazy, Miss NAL
Representations and all that-but
wish Memphis could be wiped off the
map, and that we could go on like this
forever"
You mustn't talk sol am nothing to
YOU"
Yes; you are. You're everything to
me-" said Darlington doggedly. You
shall love me- She was powerless
in his embrace. She felt his breath on
her cheek. then he kissed her. Sud-
denly his arms fell at his side; his face
was white. I was brute to do that
Betty, forgive me. 1 am sorry-no, I
can't be sorry
They were alongside the New Madrid
wharf now, and a certain young man
who had been impatiently watching the
Naiads lights ever since they became
visible crossed the gang-plank with a
bound
BettN-Why IN the name OF SoOdneSS
did you ever choose this tub?" said the
newcomer.
Charley
Darlington stepped back. This must
be the brother who had come up the
river from Memphis to meet her-bUt
her brothers name was Tom. He looked
this stranger-this Charley-over with a
hostile eye offended by his good looks
his confident manner, in which he
thought he detected an air of ownership
as if-certainly he was holding her hands
longer than was necessary. An instant
later, when Betty, remembering, turned
to speak to him, his place by the rail
was deserted.