Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-11

into requisition before she would con-
sent to Hicks remaining, and then on
" on that most uncertain tenure, his
good behavior. - ~ %
Nov you come up to. the house."
said Tom, when he had won his point
and gone back to Hicks, land get done
with 1t. reckon you talked when
you should have kept your blame ia
miliar mouth shut! Come on, and get
it over with and say you're sorry
Later, after Hicks had made his
apology, the two men smoked q friend.
ly pipe and discussed the situation.
Tom pointed out that opposition was
useless, losing game. could get your
way by less direct means. She would
not stay long at Belle Plain, but while
she did remain they must avoid any
more crisis of the sort through which
they had just passed, and presently
she'd be sick of the place. Tom wag-
ged his head. She was sick of it al
ready only she hadn't the sense to
know it. 1t wasn't good enough. Moth
ing suited-the house-the grounds
nothing!
In the midst Of her activities Betty
occa sionally found time to think of
did not wish to see him again.! But
" hen three weeks had passed she be-
gan to feel incensed that he had not
appeared. She thought OF him with
hot cheeks and quickening beat OF
she was very indignant, as she had
every right to be-, He was the first
man who had dared!
In.v VIII r,Ho haI nj
for ever to Danish all memory Of him
from her mind, and never, under any
circumstances, to think of him again,
he presented himself at Belle Plain.
She was in her room just putting
the finishing touches to an especially
satisfying toilet when her maid tapped
on the door and told her there was q
gentleman in the parlOr who wished
to see her.
e'Is It Mr.. Norton?" asked Betty.
mo, missile didn't give no name,
miss" ~
When Betty entered the parlor
moment later she saw her caller
standing with his back turned toward
her as he gazed from one OF the win
dows, but she instantly recognized
those broad shoulders, and the fine
poise of the shapely head that sur.
mounted them
"Oh. Mr. Darlington" and Betty
stopped short, while her face grew
rather pale and then crimsoned. Then
she advanced quite bodily and held out
a frigid hand. which hit took care
fully. Il didn't know-so you are alive
you disappeared SO suddenly that
night"
eyes, I'm alive" he said. and then
with a smile. But fear before you
get through with me we'll both wish
I were not, Betty"
Don't call me Betty
who was that man who met you at
New Madrid? He can't have you,
whoever he u.s." His eyes dwelt on
her tenderly, and the remembered
spell of her fresh youthful beauty
deepened itself for him.
perhaps he doesn't want me-"
"Yes, he does. That was plain as
day
Betty surveyed him from under her
lashes. What could she do with this
man? Nothing affected him. He
seemed to have crossed some intang-
ible barrier and to stand closer to her
than any other man had ever stood.
do you still hate me, Betty-Miss
Malroy-is there anything can say or
do that will make you forgive me-"
He looked at her penitently.
But Betty hardened her heart
against him and prepared to keep him
in place. Remembering that he was
still holding her hand, she recovered
it.
"Will you sit down." she indicated
chair He seated himself and Betty
put safe distance between them.
Are you staying in the neighborhood,
Mr.. Carrington?" she asked, rather
unkindly. How did he dare come here
when she had forgotten him and her
annoyance? And now the sight OF
him brought back memories of that
disagreeable night on that horrid boat
he had deceived her about that boat,
too-she would never forgive him for
that-she had trusted him he had
clearly shown that he was not to be
trusted; ana Betty closed her pretty
mouth until it was thin red line and
looked away that she might not see
his hateful face.
''No, I'm not staying in the neigh
borhood When left you, made up
my mind I'd wait at New Madrid I'M
til I could come on down here and
say | was sorry"
And it's taken you all this time !"
Darlington regarded her seriously.
81 reckon | must have come for
more time. Betty-Miss Malroy." In
spite OF herself. Betty glowed under
the caressing humor of his tone.
"Really-you must have chosen poor
ly then when you selected New Ma.
drid. 1t couldn't have been good
place for your purpose -.
Il think if could have made UP my
mind to stay there long enough, 1t
would have answered." said Caring.
ton. But when down river boat tied
up there yesterday it was more than
could stand. You see there's danger
in town like New Madrid Of getting
too sorry. | thought we'd better dis
cuss this point \ "
"Mayn't show you BeAe Plain"
asked Betty quickly.
But Darlington shook his head.
II don't care anything about that"
he said. 81 didn't come here to see
Belle Plain" ~