The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-10-11
CHAPTER x.
Belle Plain.


tie air OF excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that first morn
ing at Belle Plain, 81 want you to
show. me everything!"
Il reckon you'll notice some
changes" remarked Tom.
He went from the room and down
the hall 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 a
email bayou. beyond this the forest
stretched away I'm one unbroken mass
TO the Mississippi
What is 1t you want TO see, any
how, Betty?" Tom demanded.
Everything place, Tom-Belle
Plain! Oh, isn't it beautiful! had
no idea how lovely it was!" cried
Betty. as with Der eyes still fixed on
the distant panorama of wood and
water she went down the steps, him
at her heels--he bet she'd get sick OF
II all soon enough. that was one com
fort!
why, Tom! Why does the lawn
hook. like this2"
Like what?' inquired Tom.
why, this-all weeds and briers.
and the paths overgrown?"
MIR. Ware rubbed his chin reflective
iy with the back OF his hand
That sort OF thing looked all right,
Bet" he said. but It kept five or six
of the best hands out OF the fields
right at the busiest time OF the year"
Haven't | slaves enough" she
asked.
The dull color crept into Wares
checks. He hated her for that ~"
SO she was going to come that on
him. was she?
Don't you want to see the crops.
BetY"
The girl shook her head aud moved
swiftly down the path that led from
terrace to terrace to the margin of
ihe bayou. At the tirst terrace she
paused
It's positively squaldl" crled Bet
~, with little stamp Of her foot
Ware glanced about with dull eyes.
ri tell you, Betty, I'm busy this
morning; you poke about and see
what you want done and weIl do it."
he said, and made a hasty retreat to
his office
Betty returned 20 the porch and
seating herself on the top step, with
her elbows on her knees and her chin
sunk I'm the palms of her hands, gazed
about her miserably enough. She was
still there when half an hour later
Charley Norton gailoped up the drive
Srom the highroad Catching sight OF
her on the porch. he sprang from the
saddle, and, throwing his reins TO a
black boy. hurried to her side
inspecting your domain Betty?''
ne asked, as he took his place near
her on the step.
Why didn't you tell me- Charley
or at least prepare me for this?" she
esked. almost tearfully.
How was | to know, Betty
haven't been here since you went
away. dear-what was there 10 bring
VIC Oiu lOul WONll make a cow
pasture out OF the Garden Of Eden
wouldn't he-a beautiful. practical
eOrdld soul he lsi"
Norton spent the day at Belle Plain
and though he was there on his good
behayior as the result OF an agree
ment they had reached on board The
Naiad, he proposed twice
Tom was mistaken In his supposi
tlon that Betty would soon tire OF
Belle Plain. she demanded men. and
teams. and began on the lawns. This
interested and fascinated her. she
was out at sun-up 20 direct her labor
ers She had the advantage Of Charlie,
Norton's presence and advice for tho
sreater part OF each day In the week
and Sundays he came 10 look oyel
what had been accomplished, and. a.
Tom firmly believed. TO put that Iitti,
fool up TO fresh nonsense lie could
have booted him!