Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-07
cHAprER WI.
On the River.

OTollS IN tue m1o0I On 00WupOuf.
Just arrived by the fourhorse coach
that piled regularly between Wash
ington and Georgetown, she had
found the long board platform beside
the canal crowded with her follow
passengers. Suddenly she became
aware of tall, familiar figure NOV
ing through the crowd. 1t was Bruce
Darlington. At the same moment he
saw her. and with q casual air that
quite deceived her, approached.
You're leaving tonight" he asked
"Yes-isn't it miserable the way II
rains? And why are they so SLOW
why don't they hurry with that boat?'
Its In the last lock now" ex
planned Darlington, and gathering up
Betty's hand luggage. he helped her
aboard.
By the time they had reached
Wheeling, Betty had quite parted with
whatever superficial prejudice she
might have had concerning rtver-men.
This particular one was evidently q
very nice river-man, an. exception to
his kind. He made choice Of the
steamer on which she should continue
her journey, and thoughtfuily chose
The Mazda slow boat. .
Il haven't a thing to offer hsr-this
is plain madness of mine!" he kept
telling himself. and then the express
sion Of his face would become grim
and determined. No more Of the river
for h1m-he'd get hold Of some land
and 60 to raising cotton: that was the
way money was made.
Slow as The Naiad was, tho days
passed much too swiftly for him.
When Memphis was reached their
friendly Intercourse would come to an
end. There would be her brother, OF
whom she had occasionally spoken
he would be pretty certain to have
the ideas Of his class.
The days, like any other days. dwin-
died. The end OF 1t all was close at
hand. Another twenty-four hours
and Darlington reelected there would
only be good.by to say.
I'VE will reach New Madrid to-
night" he told her. They were
watching the river, under a flood OF
yellow moonlight.
Darlington, with his back against q
stanchion, watched her DISCONTINUED
".
You'll be mighty glad to have this
over with. Miss Malroy-" he said at
length. with comprehensive sweep
toward the river.
"Yes-shan't your and abe opened
her eyes uuestiOninkly.
NO." said Darlington with q short
laugh, drawing chair near hers ana
sitting down.
Betty. in surprise. gave him a quick
look, and then as quickly glanced
away from what she encountered In
his eyes. AS she looked, suddenly
pale points of light appeared on dis
tant headland.
rs that New Madfid-Oh, II Il, Mr..
Carrington?" she cried eagerly.
II reckon So" but he did not alter
his position.
But you're not looking!"
Eyes, I AMIN looking at you. I
reckon you'll think me crazy, Miss
Malroy-presumptuou and all that
but wish Memphis could bs wiped
of the map, and that We could 60 on
like this for ever!"
"You mustn't talk SOL am nothing
to you"
Eyes, you are. You're everything
to me-" said Darlington doggediy.
you shall love me-" She was pow
erless in his embrace. She felt his
breath on her cheek, then no kissed
her. Suddenly his arms fell at his
side: his face was white. Il was q
brute to do that-Betty, forgive me!
I am sorry-no, I can't be ,sorry!"
They were alongside the New Mad
rid wharf now, and certain young
man who had been impatiently watch
ing The Maids lights ever since they
became visible crossed the gang-plank
with bound. 4
"Betty-why in the name Of good
ness did you ever choose this tub?'
said the newcomer.
Charley" !!
Darlington stepped back. This
must be the brother who had como up
the river from Memphis to meet her
but her brothers. name was Tom!
He looked this stranger-this Charley
with hostile eye, offended BY
his good looks, his confident manner.
in which he thought he detected an
air of ownership. ~ if-certainly he
was holding her hands longer than
was necessary. An instant later. when
Betty, remembering, turned to speak
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