The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-06


again, with Ferris and Judith and a
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, tears-kisses-whi 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.
Then the door slammed and the stage
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 sleepy village
and drew up before the tavern where
dinner was waiting them.
Betty saw Darlington when she
took her seat, and gave a scarcely
perceptible start of surprise. Then
her face was flooded with a rich col
with Captain MurrelI yesterday
There was a brief moment OF irreso-
luton and then she bowed coldly.
II was four days to Richmond. -Four
days Of hot, dusty travel. four nights
Of uncomfortable cross-road stations,
where Betty suffered sleepless nights
and the unaccustomed pangs Of early
rising. She occasionally found her
self wondering who Darlington was.
She approved of the manner in which
be conducted himself. She liked a
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, 1 am go
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
fatboatman, 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 a stand.
Yes" said Betty briefly.
IF can be of any service to you"
he began, with just a touch of awk-
wardness in his manner.
NO, / 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
days later man and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. MurreIl was soon
on their trail and pressing forward
in hot pursuit. Reaching the noun
tains, he heard of them first as ten
west Tennessee; the ten days dwin-
died to a week, the week became five
days, the five days three; and now
as he emerged from the last range OF
hills he caught sight of them.
Yancy glanced back at the blue wall
Of the mountains where it lay along
the horizon.
We'll, Nevvy," he said, we've put
a heap of distance between us and
old Scratch Hill"
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted in a leisurely
fashion. As Yancy said, they were
seeing the world, and it was we'll to
take a good look at it while they had
a chance.
Suddenly out of the silence came
the regular beat of hoofs. These
grew nearer and nearer, and at last
when they were quite close, Yancy |
faced about. Smilingly MurreIl refined
in his horse.
'Why-Bob Yancy!" he cried in
apparent establishment.
Yes, sir-Bob Yancy. Does it hap
pen you are looking TO him, Cap |
tain?" inquired Yancy.
Mono, Bob. I'm on my way
west"
Murrell slipped from his saddle and
fell into step at Yancy's side as they |
moved forward.
They were nightly stirred up at |
the Cross Roads when left, wonder
ing what had come OF you." he OBJ
served.
That's kind of them" responded |
fancy, a little dryly. There was no
reason for It, but he was becoming |
distrustful of Murrell, and uneasy.
They went forward in silence. A