Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-28

full with that later-so will Bladen,
he added significantly. He studied
her out of those deeply sunken eyes
of his in which no shadow Of youth
fingered, for men such as he reached
their prime early, and it was a swift
lily passing splendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to West TENNESSEE"
he said at length.
| Yes"
II know your half-brother, Tom
Ware-I know him very we'll" There
was another brief silence.
80 you know Tom?" she presently
observed, and frowned slightly. Tom
was her guardian, and her memories
of him were not satisfactory. A burly,
unshaven man with a queer streak of
meanness through his character. She
had not seen him since she had been
sent north to Philadelphia, and their
intercourse had been limited to in
frequent letters. His always smelled
of strong, stale tobacco, and the we'll
remembered whine in the mans voice
ran through his written sentences.
You've spent much Of your time
up North?" suggested Murrell.
-Four years. I've been at school.
you know. That's where l met Judith"
81 hope you'll like West Tennessee.
It's still bit raw compared to what
you've been accustomed to In the
hon In oil
those four years." Betty shook her
head Nor seen Tom-nor any one
from out yonder2" For some reason
little tinge Of color had crept into
Betty's cheeks. will you let me re-
new our acquaintance at Belle Plain?
shall be in West Tennessee before
the summer is over; probably I shall
leave here within a week." he said,
bending toward her. His glance dwelt
on her face and the plant lines of her
figure, and his senses swan. Since
their first meeting the girls beauty
had haunted and allured him. with
his passionate sense of life he was
disposed to these violent fancies, and
he had a masterful way with women
just as he had a masterful way with
men. Now, however, he was aware
that he was viewed with entire in
difference. His vanity, which was his
whole inner self, was hurt, and from
the black depths of his nature his
towering egotism flashed out lawless
and perverted impulses. Il must tell
you that am not Of your sort, Miss
Malroy-" he continued hurriedly.
my people were plain folk out Of the
mountains. For what am have no
one to thank but myself. You must
be aware Of the prejudices of the
Perhaps l haven't been quite frank
at the Barony-I felt 1t was asking
too much when you were there. That
was a door I didn't want closed to
mel"
Il imagine you will be welcome at
Belle Plain. You are Toms friend"
Murrell bit his lip, and then laughed
as his mind conjured up picture of
|
reached out and rested his hand on
hers. He lived in the shadow Of
chance not always kind, his pleasures
were intoxicating drafts snatched in
the midst of dangers, and here was
youth, sweet and perfect, that only
needed awakening.
"Betty-if I might think" he be-
gan, but his tongue stumbled. His
love-making was usually of savage
sort, but some quality in the girl held
him in check. The words he had
spoken many times before forsook
him. Betty drew away from him, an
angry color on her cheeks and an an
cry light in her eyes. Forgive me,
Betty" muttered Murrell, but his
heart beat against his ribs, and pas
sion sent its surges through him.
Don't you know what I'm trying to
tell you?" he whispered. Betty gath
cred up her reins. mot yet" he
cried, and again he rested a heavy
hand on hers Don't you know what's
kept me here? 1t was to be near you
only that-I've been waiting for this
chance to speak. 1t was long in COM
ing, but it's here now-and it's mine!"
he exulted His eyes burned with
luminous fire, he urged his horse
nearer and they came to halt. Look
here-Tll follow you north-I swear
love you-say l may!"
| Let me go-let me go!" cried Bet
ty Indignantly.
"No-not yeti" he urged his horse
still nearer and gathered her close.
you've got to hear me. I've loved
you since the first moment l rested
my eyes on you-and, by God, you
shall love me in return!" He felt
her struggle to free herself from his
grasp with a sense Of savage triumph.
1t was the brute force within him that
conquered with women just as it con-
quered with men.
Bruce Darlington, on his way back
to Fayetteville from the Forks, came
about a turn in the road. Betty saw
tall. handsome fellow, in the first flush
of manhood; Darlington an angry
girl, very beautiful and verp indig-
nant, struggling in a mans grasp.
At sight of the newcomer, Murrell
with an oath, released Betty, who,
striking her horse with the whip gal
loped down the road toward the Bar
ony AS she fled past Darlington she
bent low in her saddle.
| Don't let him follow mel" she
gasped, and Darlington, stridins for
| ward. caught Murrell's horse by the
bit.
Not so fast, you!" he said coolly.
The two men glared at each other for
a brief instant.
Take your hand off my horse!" ex-
claimed Murrell hoarsely, his mouth
hot and dry with a sense of defeat.
Cant you sec she'd rather be
alone?" said Darlington.