The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-05-18
CHAPTER v. (contlnued.)

Squire Balaam's Murrell galloped after
her. Presently she heard the beat or
his horses hoofs az he came pound
Ing along the sandy road. and glanced
back over her shoulder. With an ex-
'clamation OF displeasure she. refined in
her horse. Murrell quickly gained q
place at her side.
Il suppose Ferris is at the Barony?"
he said, drawing his horse down to =
walk.
Il believe he is" said Betty with a
court little air.
May ride with your" he gave her
a swift glance. She nodded indir-
ferently and would have urged her
horse into gallop again. but he made
a gesture Of protest. ''Don't-or /
shall think you are still running away
from me-" he said with short laugh.
Were you at the trial?" she asked.
''T 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
sgered. for men such ~ he reached
their prime early. and 1t was . swift
1y passing splendor. Ferris tells mo
you are going 70 west Tennesses!"
he said at length.
Yes"
II know your half-brother. Tom
Ware-I know him very we'll"
"Soyou know Tom?" she observed.
and frowned slightly. Tom was her
guardian. and her memories OF him
were not satisfactory. A burly. un-
shaver man with . queer streak OF
meanness through his character.
You've spent much OF your time
np north?" suggested Murrell.
-Four years. I've been at school.
you know. That's where met Judith
Ferris"
Il hope you'll like west Tennessee
It's still q bit raw compared with
what you've been accustomed to in
the north. You haven't been back in
sall those four years. Betty shook
her head. Nor seen Tom-nor any
.one from out yonderr' For some rea-
son q little tinge OF color had crept
into Betty's cheeks. "Wiil you let me
renew our acquaintance At Belle
Plain? / shall be in west Tennessee
Bofore the simmer II over; probably
I sal leave here within . week." he
said. bending toward her. His glance
sdwelt on her face and on the plant
lines of her figure. and his senses
SWAN.
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 no
reached out and rested his hand ON
hers
"Betty-if I might think" he be-
;gan. but his tongue stumbled. His
ilove-making was usually of q savage
sort, but some quality In the girl held
him In check. Betty drew away from |
him. an angry color on her cheeks
land an angry light In her eyes. For
:give me, Betty!" murmured Murrell, |
sbut his heart beat against his ribs. |
and passion sent its surges through |
him. Don't you know what I'm try
Ding to tell your he whispered. Betty |
gathered up her reins. mot yet"
ihe cried. and again he rested q heavy |
shand on hers.
Let me go-let me go!" cried Bet |
Wy Indignantly.
"No-not yeti" He urged his horse |
=stilI nearer and gathered her close.
you've got to hear me. I've loved
you since the first moment l rested |
my eyes on you-and. by God. you
:shall love me in return!" He felt her
sstruggle to free herself from his |
grasp with sense OF savage triumph. |
Bruce Darlington. on his way back
ITO Fayetteville from the Forks, came !
about a turn in the road. Betty saw
tall, handsome fellow in the first
flush of manhood; Darlington. an
angry girl struggling In a mans
grasp.
At sight of the newcomer, Murreil,
with an oath, released Betty. who.
striking her horse with the whip. gal
Topped down the road toward the
Barony : As she ned past Darlington
she bent low IN her saddle.
Don't let him follow mel" she
gssped. and OarriAgtou, striding for
ward. caught Nurrodrs horse by the
bit.
Let go!" Y0arsd Aurreii. and
nurderous Night sAet from his eyes.
II aon't kaow tuk should pull yos