The Detroit times., 1911-10-17

NOW, Tom, said Betty, Win a III
tie air OF excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that frst morning
at Belle Plain. Il want you TO show
me everything"
Il reckon you'll notice some
changes, remarked Tom.
He went from the room and down
the hall a step or two In advance OF
her. On the wide porch Betty paused.
breathing deep. The house stood on
an eminence: directly before II at the
bottom OF the slight descent was a
small bayou, beyond this the forest
stretched away In one unbroken mass
to the Mississippi.
What Is II you want TO see. any
how, Betty?" Tom demanded.
"Everything-the place. Tom-Belle
Plain! Oh. isn't II beautiful! had
no idea how lovely 1t was!" cried Bet
ty, as with her eyes still fixed on the
distant panorama OF woods and water
she went down the steps. Tom at her
heels-he bet she'd get sick OF IL all
soon enough, that was one comfort!
why, Tom! Why does the lawn
look like this?"
Like what?" inquired Tom.
why, this--all weeds and briers,
and the paths overgrownT
Mr. Ware rubbed his chin reflective
ly with the back of his hand.
That sort OF thing looked all right,
Bet" he said, "but II kept five or six
of the best hands out OF the fields
right at the busiest time OF the year.
Haven't slaves enough" she ask
ed.
The dull color crept into Wares
cheeks. He hated her for that ~
So she was going to come that on him
was she?
Don't you want to see the crops
Bet ?"
The girl shook her head and moved
swiftly down the path that led from
terrace TO terrace TO the margin oil
the bayou. At the first terrace she
| paused.
Its positively squalid!" cried Betty
with a little stamp OF her foot.
Ware glanced about with dull eyes
I'll tell you, Betty. I'm busy thii
| morning; you poke about and SEE
what you want done and we'll do It,
| he said, and made hasty retreat tC
his ONCE.
| Betty returned to the porch and
seating herself on the top step, witt
| her elbows on her knees and her CHR
sunk In the palms OF her hands, gazeC
about her miserably enough. She was
still there when half an hour latel
Charley Norton galloped up the drive
] from the highroad. Catching sight o
her on the porch, he sprang from thu
saddle. and. throwing his reins to |
black boy. hurried to her side.
inspecting your domain, Betty
he asked, as he took his place nea
her on the step.
why didn't you tell me, Charley
or at least prepare me for thisY sh'
asked, almost tearfully.
I How was | to know, Betty?
haven't been here since you wen
away. dear--what was there TO brint
me. Old Tom would make COW pas
ture out OF the Garden OF Eden
wouldn't he-a beautiful, practical
sordid soul he is"
Norton spent the day at Belle Plain
and though he was there on his goo'
behavior as the result Of an agree
ment they had reached on board Tn
Naiad, he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken in his suppose
ton that Betty would soon tire o
Belle Plain. She demanded men, an
teams, and began on the lawns. Thi
interested and fascinated her. Sh
was out at sun-up to direct her laf
orers. She had the advantage Q
Charley Norton's presence and advic
for the greater part Of each day 1
the week, and Sundays he came {
look over what had been accomplish
ed, and, as Tom firmly believed, I
put that little fool up to fresh mol
, sense. He could have booted him!
Az the grounds took shape befor
her delighted eyes, Betty found leii
ure to institute thorough reforms
tion indoors. A number Of house Sci
wants were rescued from the quarter
and she began to instruct them !
their new duties.
Betty's sphere of influence extent
ed itself. She soon began to have he
doubts concerning the treatment a.
corded the slaves, and was not lon
in discovering that Hicks, the Owe
, seer. ran things with a heavy hanc
Matters reached a crisis one da
when, happening to ride through tn
quarters, she found him disciplinin
refractory black. She turned sic
at the sight. Here was slave a.
! tually being whipped by anothe
slave while Hicks stood looking O
with his hands in his pockets, an
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