Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-04
By VAUCHAnKESTER
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glanced out INTO the black void where
the keel boat had merged into the
gloom.
mo. no-but We can't get the raft
back upstream against the current.
SO the best thing is to land at the
Bates plantation below here; then as
soon as you are able we can return to
Belle Plain said Darlington.
There was an interval broken only
BY the occasional sweep Of the great
steering oar as Cavendish coaxed the
raft out toward the channel. The
thought Of Charley Norton's murder
rested on Darlington like pail.
Scarcely q week had elapsed since he
quilted Thicket Point, and In that
week the hand of death had dealt
with them impartially. and to what
end? Then the miles he had traversed
in his hopeless journey up-river trans
time as well as space. They were
just as much further removed from
the past with its blight of tragic ter
ror. He turned and glanced at Betty.
He saw that her eyes held their steady
look of wistful pity that was for tho
dead man; yet In spite of this, and in
spite Of the bounds beyond which he
would not let his imagination carry
him. the future, enriched with sudden
promise. unfolded itself. The deep
sense Of recovered hope stirred with
in him. He knew there must come .
day when he would dare to speak OF
his love, and she would listen.
"It's best We should land at Bates
place-we can get teams there" no
went on to explain. "And. Betty.
wherever We go we'll go together,
dear. Cavendish doesn't look as If he
had any very urgent business OF his
own, and I reckon the same is true
of Yancy, so am going to keep them
with US. There are some points to be
cleared up when we reach Belle Plain
some folks who'll have lot to ex-
plain or else quit this part Of the
state! And I intend to see that you
are not left alone until-until I have
the right to take care Of you for good
and all-that's what you want me to
do one of these days, isn't 1t, dar-
ling?" and his eyes, glowing and in
flnitely tender, dwelt on her upturned
face.
But Betty shrank from him In In
voluntary agitation.
"Oh, not now, Bruce-not now-we
mustn't speak Of that-it's wrong
its wicked-you mustn't make me
forget Mimi" she cried brokenly. in
protest.
Forgive mo. Betty. I'll not speak
Of 1t again." he said.
''Wait, Bruce. and some time-Oh.
don't make mo say It," she gasped.
"or shall hate myself" for in his
presence she was feeling the horror
Of her past experience grow strangely
remote. only the dull ache of her
memories remained. and to these she
chung They were silent for mo-
ment, then Darlington said:
after I'm sure you'll be safe here
perhaps I'll go south into the Choctaw
Purchase. I've been thinking Of that
recently: but I'll find my way back
here-don't misunderstood NELL
not come too soon for even you, Bet
ty. I loved Norton. He was one OF
my best friends, too" he continued
gently. But you know-and I know
dear, the day will come when no
matter where you are shall ind you
and not lose you!"
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but a soft and eloquent little hand
was slipped into his and allowed to
rest there.
Presently . light wind stirred the
dead dense atmosphere. the mist INT
ed and enveloped the shore. showing
them the river between piled-up
mass of vapor. Apparently it ran
for their raft alone. It was just twen-
ty-four hours since Darlington had
looked upon such another night, but
this was q different world the gray
fog was unmasking-a world Of hopes,
and dreams, and rich content. Then
the thought Of Norton-poor Norton
who had had his world. too, Of hopes
and dreams and rich content
i NC Vdl04 VI u AA80Ay VOAASoSAS GA
istence had resumed its interrupted
sway on the raft. Mr.. Cavendish, a..
ISOLATED in Betty's memory with GER
tain earsplitting manifestations Of
ferocious rage. became in. the bosom
Of his family low-voiced and genial
and hopelessly impotent to deal with
his i've small sons; while Yancy was
again the Bob Yancy Of Scratch Hill.
violence of any sort apparently had
no place In his nature. He was deep
y absorbed In Hannibals account Of
those vicissitudes which had befauen
him during their separation. They
were now seated before . cheerful fre
that blazed on the hearth, the boy
very close to Yancy, with one hand
clasped In the.Scratch Killers, while
about them were ranged the six small
Cavendishes sedatsly sharing In tho
reunion Of uncle and nevvy. toward
which they felt they had honorably
labored.
And you want dead, Uncle Bob7''