News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1912-03-13
CHAPTER VII.
On the River.

Just arrived by the four-horse coach
that piled regularly between Wash
ington and Georgetown, she had
found the long board platform beside
the canal crowded with her fellow
passengers. Suddenly she became
aware of a tall, familiar figure NOV.
Ing through the crowd. 1t was Bruce
Darlington. AT tfe same moment he
saw her, and with a casual air that
quite deceived her, approached.
You're leaving tonight" he asked.
"Yes-isn't 1t miserable the way 1t
rains? And why are they so slow
why don't they hurry with that boatT"
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 river-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 thoughtfully chose
The Na1ad-a slow boat.
II haven't thing to offer her-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 him-he'd get hold Of some land
and go to raising cotton; that was the
way money was made.
Slow as The Na1ad was, the 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 it all was close at
hand. Another twenty-four hours
and Darlington reflected there would
only be good-by to say.
1--WE 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 a
stanchion, watched her DISCONTINUED
ly.
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 she opened
her eyes questioningly.
NO." said Darlington with short
laugh, drawing a chair near hers and
sitting down.
Betty, in surprise, gave him quick
ook, and then as quickly glanced
away from what she encountered in
ais eyes. AS she looked, suddenly
pale points of light appeared on dis
ant headland.
SIS that New Madrid-Oh, is it, Mr..
she cried eagerly.
Il reckon So" but he did not alter
lis position.
"But you're not looking!"
Eyes, / AMIN looking at you. /
reckon you'll think me crazy, Miss
and all that
but l wish Memphis could be wiped
off the map, and that We could go on
like this for ever!"
"You mustn't talk SOL am nothing
to you
Yes, you are. You're everything
to me-" said Darlington doggedly.
You shall love me-" She was pow
erless in his embrace. She felt his
breath On her cheek, then he kissed
her. Suddenly his arms fell at his
side; his face was white. Il was a
brute to do that-Betty, forgive me!
/ am sorry-no, l 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.
"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 come up
the river from Memphis to meet her
but her brothers name was Tom!
he looked this stranger-this Charley
over with a hostile eye, offended by
his good looks, his confident manner,
in which he thought he detected an
air of ownership, as if-certainly he |
was holding her hands longer than
was necessary. An instant later, when |
Betty, remembering, turned to speak |
to- him, his place by the rail was de- |
serted.
All that day Hannibal was haunted |
by the memory of what he had heard |
and seen at Slosson's tavern. More |
than this, there was his terrible sense |
of loss, and the grief he could moi |
master. Marking the course of the |
road westward, he chung to the woods |
where his movements were as stealthy |
as the very shadows themselves.
Presently, as he stumbled forward |
he came to small clearing in the |
center of which stood log dwelling
The place seemed deserted.
Tilted back in chair by the door |
Of this house a man was sleeping |
The boot of an owl from a Nearby