Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-19


ink. Miss Betty" confessed the boy.
"ssems Ike I Just couldn't wait no
longer" He sighed gently. and then
his face cleared. You reckon he'll
come most any time, don't you, Miss
Betty"
Eyes. Hannibal: any day or hour!"
''Whoop!" muttered Hannibal soft
" under his breath. Presently he
asked: Where does that branch take
you to!" He nodded toward the
bayou at the foot Of the terraced blum
1T empties into the river" an
swered Betty.
Hannibal saw . small skin beached
among the cottonwoods that grew
along the waters edge and his eyes
lighted up instantly. He had a juvenile
passion for boats.
why, you got boat, amt you.
Miss Betty" This was charming
and an important discovery
would you like to 60 down to IT."
inquired Betty.
deed I would! Does she leak
any. Miss Betty?"
II don't know about that. DO
boats usually leak, Hannibal?"
why, you amt ever been out row.
Ing her, Miss Betty. have you?-and
there amt no better fun than rowing
q boat" They had started down tho
path.
II used to think that, too, Hanni.
bal; how do you suppose 1t is that
when people grow up they forget all
about the really nice things they
might do?"
What use Is she II you don't go
rowing in herr" persisted Hannibal.
"Oh. but it Is used. Mr.. Tom uses
It In crossing to the other side where
they are clearing land for cotton. 1t
saves him . long walk or ride about
the head Of the bayou"
Like I should take you out in her.
Miss Betty" demanded Hannibal with
FACILITATING anxiety.
They had entered the scattering
timber when Betty paused suddenly
with startled exclamation, and Han
nibal felt her fingers close convul-
sively about his. The sound she had
heard might have been only the rust
ling of the wind among the branches
overhead in that shadowy silence, but
Betty's nerves, the placid nerves OF
youth and perfect health, were shat
tered.
Didn't you hear something, Han
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys-
teriously. and glancing In the direc-
ton he indicated, Betty saw a woman
advancing along the path toward
them. The look of alarm slowly died
out of his eyes.
II think it's the overseer's niece"
she told Hannibal, and they kept on
toward the boat.
The girl came rapidly up the path,
which closely followed the irregular
line of the shore In its windings.
Once she was seen to stop and glance
back over her shoulder, her attitude
intent and listening, then she hurried
forward again. Just at the boat the
three met.
Good EVENING"" said Betty pleas
antly.
The girl made no reply to this; she
merely regarded Betty with fixed
stare. At length she broke the ST.
lence abruptly. M
Il got something Irwant to say to
you-you know who am, reckon?"
She was girl of about Betty's own
age, with a certain dark. sullen beau
ty and that physical attraction which
Tom. in spite of his vexed mood, naa
taken note Of earlier in the day.
"You are Bess Hicks" said Betty.
MAKE the boy 60 back toward the
house SPELL got something I want
to say to you" Betty hesitated. She
was offended by the girls manner.
which was as rude as her speech. Il
amt going to hurt you-you needn't
be afraid of me. l got something I'M
portant to say-send him OF. tell
you; there amt no time to lose!" The
girl stamped her foot impatiently.
Betty made sign to Hannibal and
he passed slowly back along the path.
He went unwillingly, and he kept his
head turned that he might see what
was done, even II he were not to hear
what was said.
THAT will do, Hannibal-wait there
don't 60 any farther!" Betty called
after him when he had reached
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing Of conversation carried ON
In an ordinary tone. Nov, what Is
1t? Speak quickly If you have any
thing to tell mel"