The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-21

pass plumb through the settlement
without knowing where he was.
He was on his way to Fayetteville,
where he intended to spend the night,
and perhaps a day or two in looking
around, when the meeting with Betty
and Murrell occurred. The girls face
remained with him. It was face he
would like to see again.
He was still thinking of the girl
when he ate his supper that night at
Cleggett's Tavern. Later, in the bar,
he engaged his host IN idle gossip. He
had met a gentleman and lady on
the road that day! he wondered, as
he toyed with his glass. If it could
have been the Ferrlses? Mounted?
Yes, mounted. Then it was Ferris
and his wife-or it might have been
Captain Murrell and Miss Malroy.
Miss Malroy did not live in that part
OF the country; she was friend OF
Mrs. Ferris. belonged in Kentucky or
Tennessee, or somewhere out yonder
at any rate she was bringing her
visit to an end. for Ferris had in
atructeu him to reserve a place for
her in the north-bound stage on the
morrow.
Darlington suddenly remembered
that he had thought OF starting north
in the morning himself.
The stage left at six, and as Car
rington climbed to his seat the next
morning Mr.. Cleggett was advising
the driver to look sharp when he
came to the Barony road, as he was
to pick up party there. 1t was Car
rhgton who looked sharp, and almost
at the spot where he had seen Miss
Malroy the day before he saw her
again, with Ferris and Judith and g
pile OF luggage bestowed by the way
side. Betty did not observe him as
the coach stopped. for she was~ in
tent on her farewells with her friends.
There were hasty words OF advice
from Ferris, prolonged good-bys to
Judith, Enthusiastically a place
was being made for her many boxes
and trunks. Darlington gathered that
she was going north to Washington;
that her final destination was some
point either on the Ohio or Missis-
sippi, and that her name was Betty.
was in motion again.
All through the morning they swung
forward in the heat and dust and
glare, and at midday ratified into the
shaded main street of a sleepy village
and drew up before the tavern where
dinner was waiting them.
Betty saw Darlington when she
took her seat, and gave scarcely
perceptible start OF surprise. Then
her face was flooded with rich COL
or. This was the man who saw her
with Captain Murrell yesterday!
There was a brief moment OF irreso-
luton and then she bowed coldly.
1t was four days to Richmond. -Four
days of hot, dusty travel, four nights
of uncomfortable cross-road stations,
where Betty suffered steepIess nights
and the unaccustomed pangs of early
rising. She occasionally found her.
self wondering who Darlington was.
She approved Of the manner in which
he conducted himself. She liked
man who could be unobtrusive.
The next morning he found himself
seated opposite her at breakfast. He
received another curt little nod, cool
and distant. as he took his seat
You stop In Washington" said
Darlington.
Betty shook her head. mo, am
going on to Wheeling"
You're fortunate in being so near
ly home" he observed. I'm going
on to Memphis"
Betty exclaimed: why, I am 60
ing to Memphis, too"
Are you? BY canal to Cumber
land, and then by stage over the Ma
tional Road to Wheeling?"
Betty nodded. 1T makes one wish
they'd finish their railroads, doesn't
it? Do you suppose they'll ever get
as far west as Memphis?" she said.
"They say it's going to be bad for
the river trade when they're built on
something besides paper" answered
Darlington. And 1 happen to be a
flatboatman, Miss Malroy."
No more was said just then, for
Betty became reserved and did not at
tempt to resume the conversation. A
day later they rumbled into Washing
ton, and as Betty descended from the
coach Darlington stepped to her SIDE
Il suppose you'll stop here, Miss
Malroy," he said, indicating the tav-
ern before which the stage had come
to stand.
YES" said Betty briefly.
IF can be of any service to you"
he began, with just touch OF awk-
wardness in his manner.
mo. thank you, Mr.. Darlington"
said Betty quickly.
Good night good-by." He
turned away, and Betty saw his tall
form disappear in the twilight.
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just two