The state herald., 1912-09-13

/ point OF view she had frank liking
| for handsome, stalwart men. Caven-
dish was neither, but none knew bet
ter than Polly that where he was most
lacking In appearance he was richest
in substance. He carried scars hon.
orably earned in those differences he
had been prone to cultivate with less
generous natures; for his scheme OF
life did not embrace the millennium.
Thank God. you got here when
you did" said Darlington.
I'VE was some pushed TO time, but
we done It," responded the earl mod
estly. He added. What now?-do We
make landing?"
'No-unless 1t interferes with your
plans not to. want to get around
the next bend before we tie up, Later
we'll all go back. Can | count on
you?"
You shorely can. | consider this
here as sociable neighborhood as |
ever struck. 1t pleases me well.
Folks are up and doing hereabout"
Darlington looked eagerly around in
search of Betty. She was sitting on
an upturned tub. a pathetic enough
figure as she dropped against the wall
of one of the shanties with all her
courage quite gone from her. He
made his way quickly to her side.
"La!" whispered Polly in Chills and
Fever's ear. IF that pore young thing
yonder keeps a widow 1t won't be be-
cause OF any encouragement she gets
from Mr.. Darlington. II | ever seen
marriage in a mans eye l seen It in
his this minute!''
"Bruce!" cried Betty. starting up as
Darlington approached. "Oh. Bruce.
l am SO glad you have come-you are
not hurt?" She accepted his presence
without question.
I'VE are none of us hurt, Betty" he
said gently. as he took her hand.
He saw that the suffering she had
undergone during the preceding
twenty-four hours had left its record
on her tired face and in her heavy
eyes. She retained a shuddering con-
sciousness OF the unchecked savagery
OF those last moments on the keel
boat; she was still hearing the oaths
Of the men as they struggled together,
the sound OF blows. and the dreadful
silences that had followed them. She
turned from him. and there came the
relief OF tears.
There. Betty. the danger is over
now and you were so brave while II
lasted. can't bear to have you cry!"
Il was wild with fear-all that time
on the boat. Bruce" she faltered be-
tween her sobs. Il didn't know but
they would find you out. could only
walt and hope-and pray!"
Il was In no danger. dear. Didn't
the girl tell you was to take the
place OF man Slosson was expect
ingT He never doubted that | was
that man until light-a signal II
must have bcen-on the shore at the
head OF the bayou betrayed me"
Where are We going now. Brucc'
Not the way they went" and Betty
glanced out into the black void where
the keel boat had merged into the
gloom.
NO. no-but We can't get the raft
back upstream against the current.
so the best thing is to land Mt tho
Bates plantation below here: then as
soon ms 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 tho
raft out toward the channel. Tho
thought OF Charley Norton's murder
rested on Darlington like pail.
Scarcely week had elapsed since he
quilted Thieket Point. and In tina.
week the hand OF death had deal,
with them impartially. and TO what
end7 Then the miles he had trayerscd
In his hopclosa journey up,riyor trans
lated themselves into n division OF
time ms well as space. They were
Just az much further removed from
the past with It's blight OF tragic ter
ror. lie turned and glanced at Betty.
llo saw that her eyes held their STEADY
look OF wistful pity that wnH 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 Tho deep
sense OF recovered hope stirred with.
In him. lie know there must come n
day when he would dare TO speak OF
his love. and aho would listen.
'it'H best We should land nj Bates
plaee-wo can get teams there" he
went on 20 explain. And. BETTY.
wherever We 80 wen go together.
dear, caycndish doesn't look ~ n ho
had amy very urgent business OF hin
own. and reckon tho same IN true
of Yancy. 10 ! am going to keep them
with uH There are nomo points 10 be
cleared up when we reach lloilo plain
some Tolkn WHOM havo lot 20 OF.
plain or else quit this part o, tho
state' Ana intend 30 noe that you
are not left alone until-unui have
tho right Ia take Tnfa aI Nnu far rand