The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-07-26
CHAPT X.
Belle Plain.

Nov Tom, said Betty, Will d ht
tie air Of excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that first morn
ing at Belle Plain, IL want you 10
show me everything!
Il reckon you'll notice some
changes" remarked Tom.
He went from the room and down
the hall step or two In advance OF
her. On the wide porch Betty paused
breathing deep. The house stood on
m eminence; directly before 1t at the
bottom of the slight descent was
small bayou, beyond this the forest
stretched away In one unbroken mass
to the Mississippi.
What is 1t you want to see, any
how, Betty" Tom demanded.
"Everything-the place, Tom-Belle
Plain! Oh, isn't it beautiful! l had
no idea how lovely it was!" cried
Betty, as with her eyes still fixed on
the distant panorama of wood and
water she went down the steps, him
at her heels-he bet she'd get sick OF
It all soon enough, that was one CON-
fort
why, Tom! Why does the lawn
cok like this?"
Like what?" inquired. Tom.
"Why, this-all weeds and br1ers,
and the paths overgrown"
Mr.. Ware rubbed his chin reflective
" with the back of his hand.
That sort OF thing looked all right,
Bet" he said, but 1t kept five or six
OF the best hands out of the fields
right at the busiest time of the year"
Haven't l slaves enough2" she
asked.
The dull color crept into Wares
cheeks. He hated her for that IL
So she was going to come that on
him, was she?
Don't you want to see the crops,
Bet?"
The girl shook her head and moved
swiftly down the path that led from
terrace to terrace to the margin Of
the bayou. At the first terrace she
paused
IT'S positively squalid!" cried Bet
ty, with a little stamp Of her foot.
Ware glanced about with dull eyes.
"I'I tell you, Betty, I'm busy this
morning; you poke about and see
what you want done and we'll do 1t,
he said. and made hasty retreat to
his Office.
Betty returned to the porch and
seating herself on the top step, with
her elbows on her knees and her chin
sunk In the palms of her hands, gazed
about her miserably enough. She was
still there when half an hour later
Charley Norton galloped up the drive
from the highroad. Catching sight OF
her on the porch, he sprang from the
saddle, and, throwing his reins to
black boy. hurried to her side.
inspecting your domain, BettyT'
he asked, as he took his place neal
her on the step.
why didn't you tell me, Charley
or at least prepare me for this?" she
asked, almost tearfully.
How was ! to know, BettyT
haven't been here since you weni
away, dear-what was there to bring
me? Old Tom would make a COW
pasture out OF the Garden OF Eden
wouldn't he-a beautiful. practical
sordid soul he Isl"
Norton spent the day at Belle Plain
and though he was there on HIS good
behavior as the result Of an agree
ment they had reached on board The
Naiad. he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken in his suppose
ton that Betty would soon tire o
Belle Plain. She demanded men, ant
teams. and began on the lawns. Thii
interested and fascinated her. She
was out at sun-up to direct her labor
ara She had the advantage Of Charley
Norton's presence and advice for the
ueater part Of each day in the week
md Sundays he came to look ovel
What had been accomplished, and, al
Tom firmly believed, to put that little
fool up to fresh nonsense. He coult
have booted himl