Morgan County republican., 1912-06-13

the head OF the bayou"
Like l should take you out In her,
MISS Betty" demanded Hannibal with
palpitating anxiety.
They had entered the scattering
timber when Betty paused suddenly
with a startled exclamation, and Han
n!bal felt her fingers close convul.
sively about his The sound she had
heard might nave been only the rust.
ling OF the wind among the branches
overhead In that shadowy silence, but
Betty's nerves, the placid nerves OF
youth and perfect health, were shat
tered.
Didn't you hear something. Han
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys-
teriously, and glancing in the direc-
tion he indicated, Betty saw a woman
advancing along the path toward
them. The look OF alarm slowly died
out Of his eyes.
Il think It's the overseer's niece"
she told Hannibal. and they kept on
toward the boat.
The girl came rapidly up the path.
which closely followed the irregular
line OF the shore in its windings.
Once she was seen to stop and glance
back over her shoulder, her attitude
intent and listening, then she hurried
forward again. Just at the boat the
three met.
Good EVENING"" said Betty pleas
antly.
The girl made no reply to this; she
stare. At length she broke the 81.
lence abruptly.
II got something | want to say to
you-you know who | am. l reckonY
She was girl OF about Bettys own
age, with a certain dark. sullen beau
ty and that physical attraction which
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 | want
to say TO you" Betty hesitated. She
was offended by the girls manner.
which was as rude as her speech. x
uih boiH6 W huit you you hCCuA =
be afraid of me. | got something i'm
portant to say-send him on, tell
you; there amt no time to lose!" The
girl stamped her foot impatieptly.
Betty made a sign to Hannibal and
he passed slowly back along the path.
He went unwillingiy. and he kept his
head turned that he might see what
was done, even II he were not to hear
what was said
That will do, Hannibal-wait there
don't go any farther!" Betty called
after him when he had reached q
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing OF q conversation carried on
in an ordinary tone. Now. what is
It? Speak quickly II you have any
thing to tell mel"
II got a 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 loss to explain. where's MT.
| Tom?" she demanded.
Tom? Why, about the place. I
suppose-in his office. perhaps" so
It had to do with Tom. Betty
felt sudden disgust with the situation.
NO, 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 moment OF 81.
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 MIR. Tom started for
Memphis last time-I reckon you-all
amt forgot that!"
Betty felt a 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 80 scared: l reckon Belle
Plains as good as his II anything
happened to your"
by great effort Betty gained
measure OF control over herself. she
took a step nearer and looked the gir
steadily In the face.
perhaps you will stop this sort ol
talk. and tell me what Is going td
happen to me--if you known" she sait
quietly.
why do you reckon MIR. Morton
was shot? | can tell you why-i'
was all along OF you-that was why!'
The girls fuytive glance. whicf
searched and watched the gathering
shadows, came back as It always dc
to Betty's pale face. you amt NJ
safer than he was, ! tell you! aht
she sucked In her breath sharply be
tween her full red lips
, .wbat do YOU meanT falteret