Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-02-28
CHAPTER X
Belle plain.

&FpNT 81 ~ NN 1870
Belle Plain.
Now, Tom. said Betty. with = nt-
tie air Of excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that first morn
ing at Belle Plain, Il want you to
show me everythingl"
II reckon you'll notice soma
changes" remarked Tom.
He went from the room and down
the hall q step or two in advance OF
her. On the wide porch Betty paused,
breathing deep. The house stood on
an eminence: directly before 1t at the
bottom OF the slight descent was q
small bayou, beyond this the forest
stretched away in n unbroken mass
to the Mississippi.
What is It you want to see, any.
how, Betty?" Tom demanded.
"Everything-the place, Tom--BeIIe
Plainl oh, isn't 1t beautiful had
no idea how lovely it was!" cried
Betty, as with her eyes still fixed on
the distant panorama OF wood and
water she went down the steps, him
at her heeis-he bet shed get sick OF
1t all 0 enough, that was one com
fort!
why. Toni Why does the lawn
ass,k Ike this7f
Like what?" inquired Tom.
Why, thfs-all weeds and brfers,
and tho paths overgrown."
Mr.. Ware rubbed his chin reflective.
II with the back OF his hand.
THAT sort of thing looked all light,
Bet" he said, but 1t kept i've or six
OF the best hands out OF the fields
right ut the busiest time OF the year."
Haven't I slaves snoughf" abe
asked.
The dull color crcpt into wares
/ cheeks. ne mated nor Tor lnar AZ
So she WAS going to CONS taat on
him, was she?
Don't you want to see tho crops.
Bet?"
The girl shook her LEAD and moved
swiftly down the path that led from
terrace to terrace to he marg.~ OF
the bayou. AT the first terrace shs
paused.
ITS positively sQuaridi~ cried BET
| ty, with a little stamp of her foot.
Ware glanced about with dull eyes
I'll tell you, Betty, I'm busy thil
morning: you poke about and se'
what you want done and wen do it.
he said, and made q hasty retreat Il
his ONCE.
Betty returned to the porch AMI
seating herself on the top step, witt
her elbows on hs- t1osE and her CHI
sunk In the palms Of her hands, gazet
about her m~iserably enough. She wal
still there when half an hour late
Charley Norton gailoped up the driv'
from the h~ighroad. Catching sight o
her Oh the porch, he sprang from thu
saddle, and, throwing his reina to
black boy, hurried to her side.
Inspecting your domain, Bettyy
he asked. as he took his place nea'
| her on the step.
why didn't you tell me. Charley
or at least prepare me for thasf' sn'
asked. almost tear suiiy-
.How was I TO know, BettyY
haven't been hare since you wen
away, dear--what was there TO brini
mss Old Tom would make = Gov
pasture out OF the Garden G Eden
wouldn't he---a beautiful. practical
sordid soul he Isl"
Norton spent the day At Belle Plain
ana though he waz there on hts goos
behavior an the resuIt OF an agree
ment they had reached on board IN,
Naiad. he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken In his supposi
ton that Betty would soon tire Q
Belle Plain. She demanded men. ant
teams, and began on the lawns. TIL
interested and fascinated her. Eh'
/ vas out at sun-up to direct her labor
ers. She had the advantage OF Charlie.
Norton's presence and advice Tor III
greater part Of each day In b week
and Sundays he came to Icok owe
what had been accomplished, and. a
Tom firmly believed. to put that Httl'
fool up TO fresh nonsense. he coais
have booted himI
AS the grounds took shape befor'
her delighted eyes, Betty found Ieis
ure TO institute 8 thorough refCrEna
tion indoors. A number OF house sery
ants were rescued from the quarter
and she began to instruct them Il
their new duties.
Betty's sphere OF influence extend
Cd itself. She soon began TO hav'
her 6ouhta concerning ths sre1traez
accorded The slaves. and was not lonI
In discovering tAat Hicks. TIE oval
seer. Fan things with a heavy hanf
Matters reached \ crisis one d.,
whens h~apuenlng 20 ride shreugh "a
quarters she found nlra dss~ipslnln|
! rAfrsssnrT black sha Turned sic