The Red Cloud chief., 1912-05-23
CHAPTER X.
Belle Plain.

Nov, TOm." said Betty, with lit
lie air Of excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that first morn
ing at Belle Plain. II want you to
show me everything!"
II 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
an eminence: directly before It at the
bottom OF the slight descent was a
small bayou. beyond this the forest
stretched away In one unbroken mass
to the Mississippi.
What IL II you want 10 see, any
how. Betty?" Tom demanded.
"Everything-the place. Tom-Belle
Plain! Oh. isn't It beautiful! I had
no idea how lovely 1t was!" cried
Betty. as with her eyes still fixed on
the distant panorama OF wood and
water she went down the steps. him
mt her heels--he bet she'd get sick OF
II all soon enough. that was one COM
forti
why. Tom! Why does the lawn
look like this?"
Like what?" inquired Tom.
why. this-all weeds and briers.
and the paths overgrown?"
MIR. Ware rubbed his chin reflective.
ly 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 tho busiest time of the year"
Haven't l slaves enough?" she
asked.
The dull color crept into Wares
cheeks. He hated her for that ~"
So she was going to come that on
him. was she?
Don't you want to see the crops.
Bet?"
Tho 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 duh eyes.
'Tll tell you, Betty, I'm busy this
morning; you poke about and see
what you want done and wen do It."
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 a
black boy, hurried TO her side.
inspecting your domain, Betty?'
ne asked. as he took his place near
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, Bettyy
haven't been here since you wen,
away. dear-what was there to brinl
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 gooc
behavior az the result OF an agree
ment they had reached on board Tn,
Naiad. he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken In his supposi
tion that Betty would soon tire O
Belle Plain. She demanded men. ant
teams. and began on the lawns. Thi,
interested and fascinated her. Sh,
was out at sun-up to direct her labor
ers. She had the advantage OF Charlie,
Norton's presence and advice for tn,
greater part OF each. day in the week
and Sundays he came to look owe
what had been accomplished. and, a.
Tom firmly believed. to put that littl
fool up to fresh nonsense. he coul,
have booted him!