Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-04-10
cHAPreR V. fcontInued.l

! When Betty Malroy rode away from
/ Squire Balaam's Murrell gailoped after
1 her. Presently she heard the beat or
his horses hoofs as he came pound
ing along the sandy road. and glanced
back over her shoulder. With an ex-
clamation OF dispieasure she reined -
her horse. Murrell quickly gained
I place at her side.
Il suppose Ferris is at the Barony?"
he said. drawing his horse down TO a
walk
Il believe he is" said Betty With a
curt little air
MAY / ride with your" he gave her
a swift glance She nodded indif-
ferentiy and would have urged her
horse into a galIop again, but ne made
a gesture Of protest. "Don't-or /
shall think you are still running away
from me- be said with short laugh.
Were you at the trial?" enc asked
81 am glad they didn't get Hannibal
away from Yancy."
oh. Yancy will have his hands full
with that later--so will Baden" he
added. significantly. lie 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 It was a swift.
ly passing splendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west Tennessee?"
he said at length.
YES"
Il know your half-brother. Tom
Ware--l know him very we'll"
so you know Tom?" she observed,
and frowned slightly Tom was her
guardian. and her memories OF min
were not satisfactory. a bury. un.
shaven man with queer streak or
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'll 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 IN
all those four years." Betty shook
her head Nor seen Tom-nor any
"a from out yonder?" For some rea.
son little tinge OF color had crept
into Bettys cheeks. "Will you let me
renew our acquaintance at Belle
Plain? 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-ir might think" he be-
gan. but bis tongue stumbled. his
loye.makng 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 Murreu.
but his heart beat against his ribs.
and passion sent its surges through
him, Don't you know what I'm try
ing 10 tell your" he whispered Betty
gathered up her reins. Not yet
he cried. and again he rested a heavy
hand on hers.
Let me go--let me gol" cried Bet.
ty 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
70 Fayetteville from the Forks. came
about a turn in the road
1t sight OF the newcomer. Murrert
with an oath, released Betty who.
striking her horse with the whip. gal
Hoped down the road toward the
Barony AS she fed past Darlington
she bent low in her saddle
Don't let him follow met" she