Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-04-25
Saint NarE1s Beacon.
CHAPTER XIV.
At the church Door.

AT the Church Door.
Tom found Betty at supper.
"You were over to see Norton,
weren't you. Bet? How did you ma
him?"
"The doctor says he will soon be-
about again"
Betty, / wish you wouldn't go
there again-that's a good grill" he
said tactfully, and as he conceived it.
affectionately Betty glanced up
quickly.
why, Tom. why shouldn't ! go
there?"
''It might set people gossiping.
reckon there's been pretty near
enough talk about you and Charley
Norton" The planters tone was con-
ciliatory in the extreme, he dared not
risk break By any open show on
authority.
"You needn't distress yourself, Tom.
I don't know that / shall go there
again." said Betty indifferently.
.
At Thicket Point Charley Norton,
greatly excited, hobbled into the IL
brary in search of Darlington. he
found him reading by the open win
dow.
Look here, Brucei" he cried. "ItS
settled; she's going to marry mel
Can't you wish me JoyH"
Darlington held out his hand.
''Y0u are not going to take any
risks now, you have too much TO live
for he said haltingly.
mo, I'm to keep away from Belle
Plain" said Norton happily. "She In
sists on that. Everything is TO be
kept a secret until we are actually
married; it's her wish"
"It's to be soon, then7" Darlington
asked, still haltingly.
very soon"
There was q brief silence. Caring
ton, with face averted, looked from
the window.
II am going to stay here as long az
you need me-" he presently said.
Miss Malroy asked me to. and then
I am going back to the river, where l
belong"
:
Betty ate supper with big Steve
standing behind her chair and little
Steve balancing himself first on one
foot and then on the other near the
door.
The long French windows, their
curtains drawn, stood open. Che
wandered down to the terrace. There
was the sound OF a step on the path.
Betty turned. It was Darlington who
stood before her, his face haggard.
Without a word he stepped to her
side and took her hands rather rough.
ly.
What am | to do without your
his voice was almost a whisper.
What is this thing you have done3"
Betty's heart was beating with dull
sickening throbs.
IF you had only comet" she
moaned. Now am going to be mar
ried tomorrow. / am to meet him at
the Spring Bank church at ten
O'Clock"
How can | give you upH" he said.
his voice hoarse with emotion. He
put her from him almost roughly, and
leaning against the trunk OF a tree
buried his face in his hands. Betty
watched him for q moment in
,wretched silence. .8
TITS good.by-" he muttered.
She went to him, and, as he bent
above her. slipped her arms about his
neck.
kiss me-" she breathed.
He kissed her hair. her soft cheek,
then their lips met
.
Another hot September sun was
beating upon the earth as Betty gal
Hoped down the lane and swung her
horses head In the direction OF TIA
leigh. She would keep her promise
TO Charley and he should never know
what his happiness had cost her.
Norton Joined her before she had
covered a third OF the distance that
separated the two plantations.
I'VE are TO go TO the church. Mr..
Bowen will be there; | arranged with
him last night; he will drive over
with his wife and daughter, who will
be our witnesses, dear"
=
Afterward Betty could remember
standing before the church in the
fierce morning light; she heard Mr..
Bowen's voice, she heard CharIey's
voice, she heard another vOice-her
own, though she scarcely recognized
1t.
'TTl tic the horses, Betty" said
Norton.
He had reached the edge OF the
oaks when from the silent depths OF
the denser woods came the sharp re-