Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-31

later he was appointed my guardian"
Then you own Belle Plain?" and
Darlington sighed.
eyes, you have never seen Tits
right on the river, you know" then
Betty's face grew sober. "Tom's dread
fully queer--I expect he'll require a
lot Of managing!
II reckon you'll be equal to that"
said Darlington, convinced OF Betty's
charm.
mo, I'm not at all certain about
Toni can see where we shall have
serious differences; but then. stan't
have to struggle single-handed with
him long; a cousin of my mothers Is
coming to Belle Plain to make her
home with me-she'll make him be-
have" and Betty laughed maliciously.
Its great nuisance being a girl!
Then Betty fell to watching for the
lights at New Madrid, her elbows rest
ing on the rail against which she was
leaning, and the soft curve OF her chin
sank in the palms of her hands. she
wondered absently what Judith would
have said of this riyer-man. She smiled
a little obviously, Judith had certainly
indicated the sincerity OF her convic-
tons regarding the Importance OF TAM
lily, inasmuch as in marrying Ferris
she had married her own second
cousin She nestled her chin q little
closer In her palms. She remembered
that they had differed seriously over
Mr.. Yancy's defiance of the law as It
was supposed to be lodged in the
sacred person of Mr.. Bladen's agent,
the unfortunate Blount. Darlington,
with his back against a stanchion,
watched her discontentedly
You'll be mighty glad to have this
over with, Miss Malroy' he said at
length, with comprehensive sweep
toward the river.
"Yes-shan't you?" and she opened
her eyes questioningly.
s'No," said Darlington with short
laugh, drawing chair near hers and
sitting down.
Betty, in surprise, gave him quick
look, and then as quickly glanced
away from what she encountered In
his eyes. Men were accustomed to talk
sentiment to her, but she had hoped
well, she really had thought that he
was superior. to this weakness. She
had enjoyed the feeling that here was
some one, big and strong and thor
oughly masculine, with whom she
could be friendly without-she took
another look at him from under the
fringe of her long lashes. He was SO
nice and considerate-and good look
ing-he was undeniably this last It
would be pity! And she had already
determined that Tom should invite
him to Belle Plain. She didn't mind II
he was a river-man-they could be
friends, for clearly he was such an ex-
ception. Tom should be cordial to him.
Betty stared before her, intently
watching the river AS she looked. sud-
denly pale points of light appeared on
a distant headland.
"Is that New Madrid ?-Oh, is it, Mr..
Carrington?" she cried eagerly.
II reckon So" but he did not alter
his position.
'But you're not looking!"
Eyes, I amin looking at you. l
reckon you'll think me crazy, Miss
Malroy -presumptuous and all that
but wish Memphis could be wiped off
the map and that we could go on like
this forever! mo. not like this but
together-you and T. he took a deep
breath. Betty drew little farther
away. and looked at him reproach-
fully; and then she turned to the
dancing lights far down the river.
FINALLY she said slowly:
II thought you were-differeSt
I'm not" and Carrington's hand
covered 1'ers.
ooh, GU mustn't kiss my hand like
that"
"Dear-Pm Just a man-and you
didn't expect, did you, that could see
you this way day after day and not
come to love you?" He rested his arm
leaned toward her.
''No-no-" and Betty moved still
farther away.
GIVE me chance to win your love,
Betty"
"You mustn't talk so-I'm nothing
to you
eyes, you are. You're everything to
me-" said Darlington doggedly.
"I'm mott won't bel" and Betty
stamped her foot.
"You can't help It, ] love you and
that's all there is about It, / know I'm
fool to tell you now, Betty, but years
wouldn't make any difference in my
feeling; and l can't have you go. and
perhaps never see you again, If can
help It,. Betty-give me a chance you
don't hate me-"
"But do-yes, I do indeed"
II know you don't. Let me see you
again and do what can to make you
care for mel" he implored. But he had
a very indignant little aristocrat to
deal with She was angry with him,
and angry with herself that in spite
of herself his words moved her. She
wouldn't have 1t SO! Why, heywasn't
even Of her class-her kind! Betty,
you don't mean he faltered.
Il mean am extremely annoyed.
i mean just what / say" Betty re-
garded him with wrathful blue eyes. It
proved too much for Darlington. His
arm dropped about her shoulders.
"You shall love me- She was
powerless in his embraced. She felt
his breath on her cheek, then he
kissed her Breathless and crimson,
she struggled and pushed him from
her. Suddenly his arms fell at his
side: his face was white. Il was a
brute to do that-Betty, forgive me,
T am sorry--no. / can't be sorryin