The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-25

tnin0 Important 10 say.
Tom, in spite of his vexed mood, had
taken note of earlier in the day.
"You are Bess Hicks" said Betty.
MAKE the boy go back toward the
house SPELL got something l want
to say to you" Betty hesitated. She
was offended by the girls manner,
which was as rude as her speech. Il
amt going to hurt you-you needn't
| be afraid of me- l got something i'm
| portant to say-send him OF, l tell
you; there amt no time to lose!" The
girl stamped her foot impatiently.
Betty made sign to Hannibal and
he passed slowly back along the path.
He went unwillingly, and he kept his
| head turned that he might see what
was done, even If he were not to hear
| what was said
THAT will do, Hannibal-wait there
don't 60 any farther!" Betty called
after him when he had reached a
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing OF a conversation carried on
in an ordinary tone. Now, what Is
1t? Speak quickly If you have any
thing to tell mel"
Il got heap to say" answered the
girl with scowl. Her manner was
| still fierce and repellant, and she gave
Betty certain jealous regard out OF
her black eyes which the latter was
at a loss to explain. "Where's Mr..
Tom?" she demanded
| tom? Why, about the place,
suppose-in his Office, perhaps" SO
1t had to do with Tom. Betty
felt sudden disgust with the situation.
mo, he amt about the place. eth.
er! He done struck out for Memphis
two hours after sun-up, and what's
more, he amt coming back here to-
night" There was a moment of ST.
lence. The girl looked about appre-
hensively. She continued, fixing her
black eyes on Betty: you're here
alone at Belle Plain-you know what
happened when Mr.. Tom started for
Memphis last time-I reckon you-all
ANT forgot that"
! Betty felt pallor steal over her
face. She rested hand that shook
on the trunk of tree to steady her.
self. The girl laughed shortly.
Don't be so scared; reckon Belle
Plains as good as his If anything
happened to you?'
BY a great effort Betty gained a
measure of control over herself. She
took a step nearer and looked the girl
steadily In the face.
perhaps you will stop this sort Of
talk, and tell me what is going to
happen to me-if you know" she said
quietly.
"Why do you reckon Mr.. Norton
was shot? l can tell you why-it
was all along of you-that was why!"
The girls furtive glance, which
searched and watched the gathering
shadows, came back as it always did
to Betty's pale face. You amt no
safer than he was, I tell you!" and
she sucked in her breath sharply be-
tween her full red lips.
What do you mean?" faltered
Betty.
DO you reckon you're safe here in
the big house alone? Why do you
reckon Mr.. Tom cleared out for Men,
phis? 1t was. because he couldn't be
around and have anything happen to
you-that was why!" and the girl
sank her voice to whisper. You
quit Belle Plain Observation-Disclosures as
soon as you CAM"
This is absurd-you are trying to
brighten mel"
did they stop with trying to fright
en- Charley Norton?" demanded Bess,
with harsh insistence.
Whatever the promptings that in
spired this warning, they plainly had
nothing to do with either liking or
sympathy. Her dominating emotion
seemed to be a sullen sort Of resent
ment which lit up her glance with
dull fire; yet her feelings were so
clearly and so keenly personal that
Betty understood the motive that had
brought her there. The explanation,
she found, left her wondering just
where and how her own fate was
linked with that of this poor white.
you have been waiting some time
to see me?" she asked.
Ever since along about noon.
You were afraid to come to the
house"
II didn't want to be seen there.
"And yet you knew was alone"
"Alone-but how do you know who's
watching the placer
do you think there was reason to
be afraid of that?" asked Betty.
<, Again the girl stamped her foot
with angry Impotence.
You're just wastin' time-just fool
in it away-and you amt got none to
spare!" ..~ ~ IT,. .,s.......
"You must tell me what have to
fear-I must know more or I shall
stay just where ami" ~
"Well, then, stay!" The girl turned
away, and then 40 quickly turned back
and feed Betty once more. II reckon