The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-04-03

left the town behind She drew in he1
horse as she spoke, and they went for
ward at walk under the splendid
arch of the forest and over a carpet
of vivid leaves.
81 reckon he will, Betty" respond
ed Darlington. Unfavorable as had
been his original estimate OF the
Judges character, events lad greatly
modified it.
"He really seems quite sure, doesn't
he?" said Betty.
There's not doubt in his mind
agreed Darlington.
He was still at Belle Plain living in
what had been Wares Office, while the
Cavendishes were domiciled at the big
house. He had arranged with the judge
to crop part of that hopeful gentle
mans land the very next season; the
fact that a lawsuit interviewed between
the Judge and possession seemed a
trifling matter, for Darlington had be-
come infected with the judges point
of view, which did not admit of the
possibility of failure; but he had not
yet told Betty of his plans. Time
enough for that when he left Belle
Plain.
His silence concerning the future
had caused Betty much thought. She
wondered if he still intended going
south into the Purchase; she was not
sure but it was the dignified thing for
him to do. She was thinking of this
now as they went forward over the
rustling leaves and at length she
turned in the saddle and faced him.
81 am going to miss Hannibal dread.
and the judge. and Mr..
Yancy!" she began.
And when l leave-how about me,
Betty" Darlington asked unexpected
ly, but he only had in mind leaving
Belle Plain.
A little sigh escaped Betty's red
lips, for she was thinking of the Pur-
chase, which lay far down the river,
many, many miles distant. The sigh
was ever so little. But Darlington had
heard it.
II am to be missed, too, am Betty?"
he inquired, leaning toward her.
"You, Bruce?-Oh, l shall miss you,
too, dreadfully-but then, perhaps in
five years, when you come back"
Five years." cried Darlington, but
he understood something of what was
passing in her mind, and laughted
shortly. give years, Betty?" he repeat.
ed, dwelling on the mineral.
Betty hesitated and looked thought.
full. Presently she stole surreptit.
ious glance at Darlington from under
her long lashes, and went on slowly,
as though she were making careful
choice of her words.
when you come back in three
years, Bruce"
Darlington still regarded her fixed
ly. There was a light in her black
eyes that seemed to penetrate to the
most secret recesses of her heart and
SOUL
"Three years, Betty" he repeated
again.
Betty, her eyes cast down, twisted
her rein nervously between her slim,
white fingers, but Carrington's steady
glance never left her sweet face,
framed by it's halo of bright hair She
stole another look at him from beneath
her dark lashes.
Three years, Betty" he prompted.
Bruce, don't stare at me that way !;
it makes me forget what I was going
to say! When you come back-next
year. and then she lifted her eyes
to his and he saw that they were full
of sudden tears. Bruce, don't go
away-don't go away at all
Darlington slipped from the saddle
and stood at her side.
do you mean that, Betty?" he
asked. He took her hands loosely in
his and relentlessly considered her
crimsoned face. 81 reckon it will al
ways be right hard to refuse you any
thing-here is one settler the Pur-
chase will never get" and he laughed
softly.
"It was the Purchase-you were 60
ing there!" she cried.
"No, wasn't Betty; that notion died
it's natural death long ago. When We
are sure you will be safe at Belle
Plain with just the Cavendishes, I am
going into Raleigh to wait as best
can until spring." He spoke so grave
ly that she asked in quick alarm.
"And then, Bruce-what?"
"And then-Oh, Betty, Pm starv-
ing" All in moment he lifted her
slender figure in his arms, gathering
her close to him. 'And then, this
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