The Red Cloud chief., 1912-04-25
CHAPTER v. (contInued.)

CHAPTER v. (Cont'nueo.)
When Betty MalrOy rode away from
Squire Balaam's Murreli galloped after
her. Presently she heard the beat OF
his horses hOofs as he came pound
ing along tho sandy road. and glanced
back over her shoulder. With an ex.
clamation OF displeasure she reined IN
her horse. Murrell quickly gained
place at her side.
II suppose Ferris IL Mt the Barony?"
he said, drawing his horse down to
walk.
Il believe he is." said Betty With q
curt iittlo air.
May l ride with your" he gave her
o swift glance. She nodded indir-
ferently and would have urged her
horse into Rallop again. but he made
. gesture Of protest. "DOn't-or !
shall think you are still running away
from me-" he said with a short laugh.
"Were you at the trial?" she asked.
ri am glad they didn't get Hannibal
away from Yancy."
"Oh, Yancy will have his hands full
with that later-so will Bladen," he
added. significantly. lie studied her
out Of those deeply sunken eyes OF his
in which no shadow OF youth lin
gered. for men such az he reached
their prime early. and 1t was SWIFT.
ly passing splendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west Tennessee?"
he said ut length.
"Yes."
II know your halfbrother. Tom
Warc-l know him very WE'LL"
80 you know TOmI" she observed.
and frowned slightly. Tom was her
guardian. and her memories OF him
were not satisfactory. A buriy, un.
Ahaven man with queer streak OF
meanness through his character.
you've spent much OF your time
up n0rth?" suggested Murrell.
-Four years. I've been at school,
you know. That's where met Judith
Nerris."
II hope you'il like west Tennessee.
MS still a bit raw compared with
what you've been accustomed to In
the north. You haven't been back in
all those four years." Betty shook
her head. Nor seen TOm-nor any
ono from out yondery" For some rea.
son a little tinge Of color had crept
into Bctty's cheeks. "Will you lot me
renew our acquaintance ut Belle
Plain? l shall be In west Tennessee
before tho summer Ia over; probably
shall leave here within a week." no
said. bending toward her. His glance
dwelt on her face and on the plant
lines Of her figure. and his senses
swan.
Il imagine you will be welcome at
Dolle Plain. You are Toms friend"
Murrell bit his lip and then laughed
~ his mind conjured up a picture OF
the cherished Tom. Suddenly he
reached out and rested his hand on
hers. t
"Betty--if I might thiH:-" he be.
gan. but his tongue sbA0bled. His
love-making was usually OF savage
sort. but some quality In the girl held
him In check. Betty drew away from
him. an angry color on her cheeks
and an angry light In her eyes. "For.
give me. Betty!" murmured Murrell,
but his heart beat against his ribs,
and passion sent its surges through
him. Don't you know what I'm try.
ing to tell you?" no whispered. Betty
gathered up her reins. mot yet
no cried. and again no rested heavy
hand on hers.
Let me go-let me go!" cried let.
~ Indignantly.
"NO--not yeti" lie urged his horse
still nearer and gathered her close.
"You've got to hear me. I've loved
you since the first moment I rested
my eyes on yOu-and. by God, you
shall love me In return!" lie felt her
struggle to free herself from his
grasp with sense OF savage triumph
Bruce Darlington. on his way back
TO Fayetteville from the Forks. came
about turn in the road. Betty saw
. tall. handsome fellow In the iirs,
dush of manhood: Darlington, ar
angry girl struggling In . man,
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 tn,
Barony. As she ned past CarringtoI
she bent low In her saddle.
Don't let him follow mel" sh,
Gasped. and Darlington. striding for
ward. caught Murrell's horse BY tn,
bit.
Let go!" roared Murreii. and {
ourderous light shot from his eyes.
Il doat know but should pull 70,