Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-04-25
cHAPrER V fcontlnued.l

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When Betty Malroy rode away from
Squire Balaan's Murrel galloped after
her. Presently she heard the beat OF
his horses hoofs as he came pound
ing along thu sandy road, and glanced
back over her shoulder. With an ex-
clamation OF displeasure she refined In
her horse Murrell quickly gained
place at her side.
i suppose Ferris is at the Barony?"
he said, drawing his horse down to
walk
Il believe he is. = said Betty with a
curt little air.
May ride with your" be gave her
q swift glance. She nodded indif-
ferently and would have urged her
horse into gallop again, but he made
a gesture of protest. "Don't-or l
shall think you are still running away
from me" he said with short laugh.
Were you at the trial?" she asked
II 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. He studied her
out of those deeply sunken eyes Of his
in which no shadow OF youth lin
gered. for men such as he reached
their prime early, and 1t was swift
ly passing spfendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west Tennessee"
he said at length.
YES"
Il know your half-bFother. Tom
Ware-I know him very we'll"
So you know Tem?" she observed,
and frowned slightly. Tom was her
guardian, and her memories of him
were not satisfactory. A bur1y, I'M
shaven man with a queer streak OF
meanness through his character.
You've spent much of your time
up north?" suggested Murrell.
-Four years. I've been at school,
you know. THAT'S where met Judith
Ferris"
Il hope you'R like west Tennessee.
It's still a bit raw compared with
what you've been accustomed to in
the north. You haven't been back III
all. those four years p Betty shock
her head Nor seen Tom--nor any
one from out yonder? For some req
son a little tinge of color had crept
into Betty's cheeks. will you let mo
renew our acquaintance at Belle
Plain? l shall be in west Tennessee
before the summer is over.
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
the cherished Tom. Suddenly he
reached out and rested his hand on
hers.
Betty-if might thiEk-' he be-
gan, but his tongue stumbled. HIS
love-making was usually OF a 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 your" he whispered. Betty
gathered up her reins. Not yet.
) he cried, and again he rested heavy
hand on hers.
Let me go-let me go!" cried Bet
~ 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 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 sense OF savage triumph.
Bruce Darlington. on his way back
to Fayetteville from the Forks. came
about a turn in the road
At sight OF the newcomer, Murrell.
with an oath. released Betty. who.
striking her horse with the whip, gar
loped down the road toward the
9arony. AS she fed past Darlington
she bent low in her saddle.
Don't let him follow mel" she
-A=-is