Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-23
ESTABLISHED 1855.
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Warning.

toward embittering Tom Wares exist
ence. Gossip had it that he kept the
road hot between the two places, and
this was an added strain on the plant
er. But Norton did not go to Belle
Plain to see Mr.. Ware. If that gentle
man had been the sole attraction, ne
would have made just one visit suffice;
had 1T preceded his own, he would
have attended Toms funeral, and con-
sidered that he had done a very decent
thing. On the present occasion ne
and Betty were strolling about the re-
habilitated grounds, and Norton was
exhibiting that interest and enthusi-
asm which Betty always expected of
him.
You are certainly making the old
place look up!" he said, as they passed
out upon the terrace. He had noted
casually when he rode up the lane half
an hour before that horse was tied
near Wares office; a man now issued
from the building and swung himself
into the saddle Norton turned alb
ruptly to Betty. What's that fellow
doing here?" he asked.
IT suppose he comes to see Tom,'
said Betty.
is he here often?"
Every day or so." Bettys tone was
Indifferent. For reasons which had
seemed good and sufficient she had
never discussed Captain Murrell with
Norton.
Every day or so?" repeated Nor
ton. But you don't see him, Betty?"
mo, of course don't"
Tom has no business allowing that
fellow around; if he don't know this
some one ought to tell him!" Norton
was working himself into fine rage.
He doesn't bother me, Charley, II
that's what you're thinking of. Let's
talk of something else"
He'd better not, or I'll make 1t
quarrel with him."
"Oh, you mustn't think of that, Char
ley. indeed you mustn't" cried Betty
in some alarm, for young Mr.. Norton
was both impulsive and hot-headcd
well, just how often is Murrell
here?" he demanded.
II told you-every few days. He and
Tom seem wonderfully congenial."
They were silent for a moment.
Tom always sees him in his office"
She might have made her explanation
fuller on this point had she cared to
do so.
That's the first decent thing ever
heard of Toni" said Norton with
warmth. But he ought to kick him
off the place the first chance he gets"
DO you think Belle Plain is ever GO
ing to look as it did, Charley?-as we
remember it when we were children?"
asked Betty, giving a new direction to
the conversation.
doing wonders"
I've really been ashamed of the
place, the way 1t looked-and I can't
understand Toni"
Don't try to-" advised Norton.
Look here, Betty, do you remember
It was right on this terrace 1 met you
for the first time? My mother brought
me down, and arrived with a strong
prejudice against you, young lady,
because of the clothes I'd been put into
they were fine but oppressive"
How long did the prejudice last,
Charley?"
1T didn't last at all, thought you
altogether the incest little girl I'd ever
seen-just what 1 think now. 1 wish
you could care for me, Betty, just a
little: Just enough to marry me-"
But, Charley, do care for you!
I'm very, very fond Of you"
We'll, don't make such a merit Of
it," he said, and they both laughed.
I'm at an awful disadvantage, Betty,
from having proposed so often. That
gives it a humorous touch which
doesn't properly reflect the state Of
my feeling at all-and you hear me
without the least emotion; so long
as I keep my distance we might just
as we'll be discussing the weather."
You are very good about that"
Keeping my distance, you mean?-
Betty, If you knew how much resolu-
tion that calls for! 1 wonder If that
isn't my mistake" And Norton came
a step nearer and took her in his arms.
With her hands on his shoulders
Betty pushed him back, while the rich
color came into her cheeks. She was
remembering Bruce Darlington. who
had not kept his distance.
please, Charley" she said half an
grily. II do like you tremendously.
but I simply can't bear you when you
act like this-let me co."
Betty, despair of you ever caring
for me-" and as Norton turned alb
ruptly away he saw Tom Ware appear
from about a corner of the house. "Oh,
hang it, there's Tom"
You are very nice. anyway, Char
ley" said Betty hurriedly, fortified
by the planters approach.
Ware stalked toward them. Having
dned with Betty as recently as the
day before, he contented himself with
a nod in her direction. His greeting to
Norton was more ambitions under
taking; he said he was pleased to see
him; but in so far as facial express
sion might have endorsed the state
ment this pleasure was we'll disguised,
it did not get into his features. Paus-
ing on the terrace beside them. he
INDUCED in certain observations on the
state of the crops and the weather.
You've lost a couple Of niggers.
hear?" he added with an oblique
glance
Yes" said Norton.
Got on the track Of them yet?'
Norton shook his head. II under
stand you've a new overseer?" contin-
ued Ware, with another oblique glance.
Then you understand wrong-Car-
rington's my guest" said Norton. He's
talkinp of nrttinp, in q crnn for him