Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-03-29

went forward at a walk under the
splendid arch of the forest and over a
carpet of vivid leaves.
Il reckon he viii, Betty" respond
ed Darlington. Unfavorable as had
been his original estimate OF the
judges character, events had greatly
modified 1t,
He really seems quite sure, doesn't
he?" said Betty.
There's not q doubt in his mind"
agreed Darlington.
He was still at Belle Plain, living
in what had been Wares office, while
the Cayendishes were domiciIed at
the big house. He had arranged with
the judge to crop q part OF that hope
full ~gentleman's land the very next
season; the fact that q lawsuit inter
vened between tho Judge and posses
sion seemed a trifiing matter, for Car
rington had become 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 II he still intended going
south into the Purchase; she was not
sure but it was the dignihed thing for
him to do. She was thinking Of this
10Y 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
dreadfuliy-yes, and the judge, and
Mr. Yancy!" she began.
II am to be missed, too, am ], Bet
ty7" he inquired, leaning toward her.
You, Bruce?-Oh, / shall miss
you, too, dreadfully-but then, per-
haps In Ave years, when you come
back"
Five years." cried Darlington, but
he understood something of what was
passing In her mind, and laughed
shortly. Five years. Betty?" he re-
peated, dwelling on the mineral.
Betty hesitated and looked thought
full. Presently she stole q surrepti-
tious glance at Darlington from under
her long Iashes, 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 q light in his black
eyes that seemed to penetrate to the
most secret recesses Of her heart and
soul.
Three years. Betty?" he repeated
again.
Betty, her ayes 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 be-
meath her dark lashes.
Three years, Betty?" he prompted.
Bruce, don't stare at me that way,
It makes me forget what l 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, BettyI" he
asked. He took her hands loosely in
his and r~elentlessly considered her
crimsoned face. "Ireckon 1t 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.
ut was the Purchase-you were go
ing there!" she cried.
mo, I wasn't Betty; that notion
died its natural death long ago, When
we are sure you will be safe at Belle
Plain with just the C~avendishes, L
am going into Raleigh to wait as best
I can until spring" He spoke SO
gravely that she asked in quick alarm.
And then, Bruce-what?"
And then Oh, Betty, I'm starry
ing" All in a moment he lifted her
slender figure in his arms, gathering
her close to him. And then, this
and this-and this, sweetheart-and
more-and-oh, Betty! Betty!"