The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-06-15

and she began to instruct them IL
their new duties.
Betty's sphere of influence extend
ed itself. She soon began to hav,
her doubts concerning the treatment
accorded the slaves, and was not Ions
IN discovering that Hicks, the over
seer, ran things with a heavy hand
Matters reached a crisis one day
when, happening to ride through the
quarters. she found him disciplininf
refractory black. She turned sici
at the sight. Here was a slave actual
iy being whipped by another slave
while Hicks stood looking on with his
hands In his pockets, and with q
brutal, satisfied air.
| Stop" commanded Betty, her eyes
blazing. She strove to keep her voice
/ steady. You shall not remain al
Belle Plain another hour"
Hicks said nothing. He knew II
would take more than her saying SO
to get him off the place. Betty turned
her horse and galloped back to the
house. She felt that she was in no
condition to see Tom just at that mo-
ment. and dismounting at the door,
ran upstairs to her room.
Meantime the overseer sought out
Ware in his Office. His manner OF
stating his grievance was singular
He began by swearing at his employ
er. He had been insulted before all
the quarter-his rage fairly choked
him; he could not speak
Tom seized the opportunity to
swear back.
Sent you of the place, did she;
well. you'll have to eat crow. I'll do
all / can. | don't know what girls
were ever made for anyhow, damned
If l dol" he added.
Hicks consented to eat crow only
after Mr.. Ware had cursed and ca
joled him into better and more for
giving frame of mind.
Later. after Hicks had made his
apology. the two men smoked
friendly pipe and discussed the situa-
tion. Tom pointed out that opposi-
ton was useless, losing game; you
could get your way by less direct
means. She wouldn't stay long at
Belle Plain. but while she did remain
they must avoid any more crises of
the sort through which they had just
passed, and presently she'd be sick or
the place.
In the midst of her activities Betty
occasionally found time to think OF
Bruce Darlington She was sure she
did not wish to see him again. But
when three weeks had passed she be-
gan to feel incensed that he had not
appeared She thought of him with
hot cheeks and quickening of the
heart. 1t was anger.
) Then one day when she had decid-
ed forever to Danish all memory OF
him from her mind, he presented him.
self at Belle Plain.
She was In her room Just putting
the finishing touches to an especially
satisfying toilet when her maid tapped
on the door and told her there was a
gentleman in the parlor who wished
to see her.
rs it Mr.. Norton?" asked Betty.
NO, Missile didn't give no name.
Miss"
When Betty entered the parlor a
moment later she saw her caller
standing with his back turned toward
her as he gazed from one of the win
dows. but she instantly recognized
those broad shoulders, and the fine
poise of the shapely head that sur.
mounted them.
oh, Mr.. Darlington" and Betty
stopped short, while her face grew
rather pale and then crimsone1.
Then she advanced boldly and held
out frigid hand Il didn't know
so you are alive-you disappeared SO
suddenly that night"
Yes. I'm alive" he said, and then |
with smile, but fear before Won
get through with me we'll both wish
l were not. Betty.
do you still hate me, Betty-Miss
Malroy-is there anything | can saw |
or do that will make you forgive me?"
He looked at her penitently.
But Betty hardened her heart
against him and prepared to keen
him In place.
''Will you sit DOWN." she indicated
a chair. He seated himself and Betty
put safe distance between them
Are you staying in the neighborhood.
Mr.. Carrington?" she asked, rather
mo. I'm not staying in the neigh
borhood. When left you. made up
my mind I'd wait at New Madrid un-
Ill l could come on down here and
say / was sorry"
And it's taken you all this timer"
Darlington regarded her seriously.
Il reckon / must have come for
more time, Betty-Miss Malroy." In
spite OF herself, Betty glowed under
he caressing humOr of his toue