Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER XIV.
At the Church Door.


atfectlonately. Betty glanced mp
quickly.
Why, Tom, why shouldn't ] 60
ikere?"
1T might set people gossiping.
reckon there's been pretty near
enough talk about you and Charley
Norton" The planters tone was con-
ciIiatory in the extreme, he dared DOT
risk q break by any open show OF
authority.
you needn't distress yourself, Tom.
| don't know that / shall go there
agaln." said Betty indifferently.
Q
At Thicket Point Charley Norton,
greatly excited, hobbIed into the H.
brary in search OF Darlington. He
found him reading by the open win
dow.
Look here, Bruce!" he cried. Its
settled; she's going 10 marry me.
Cant you wish Inc joy?"
Darlington held out his hand.
you are not going TO take any
risks now, you have LOO much to i've
for" he said haltingly.
No, I'm 10 keep away from Belle
Plain" said Norton happily. She In
sists on that. Everything IS to be
kept secret until we are actually
married; it's her wish"
asked. still haltingly.
Very SOON
There was brief silence. Caring
ton, with face averted. looked from
the window
Il am going to stay here as long as
YOU need me-" he presently said.
Miss Malroy asked me TO. ard then
l am going back to the river, where |
belong"
Betty ate supper with big Steve
standing behind her chair and little
Steve balancing himself first on one
foot and then on the other near the
door.
The long French windows. their
curtains drawn, stood open. She
wandered down to the terrace. There
was the sound OF step on, the path.
Betty turned II was Darlington VINO
stood before her, his face hasgard.
Without q word he stepped 10 her
side and took her hands rather rough
~.
What am | 10 do without your
his voice was almost whisper.
What Is this thing you have done?"
Bettys heart was beating with dull
sickening throDs.
IF you had only COME" she
moaned Now am going TO be mar
ried tomorrow. ] am to meet him 1T
the Spring Bank church at ten
O'clock
How can l give you up?% he said,
his voice hoarse with emotion. lie
put her from him almost roughly. and
leaning against the trunk OF a tree
buried his face in his hands. Betty.
watched him for moment In
~retcheu SILENCE
Its good.by-" be muttered.
She went to him, and, as he bent
above her, slipped her arms about his
neck.
kiss me-" she Dreathed.
He kissed her hair, her soft cheek,
then their lips met. -.
Another hot September sun WAS
beating upon the earth as Betty gal
loped down the lane and swung her
horses head in the direction OF Ra-
leigh. She would keep her promise
to Charley and he should never know
what his happiness had cost her.
Norton joined her before she had
covered q third of the distance that
separated the two plantations.
I'VE are to go TO the church. Mr..
Bowen will be there; l arranged with
him last night; he will drive over
with his wife and daughter, who will
be our witnesses, dear"
Afterward Betty could remember
standing before the church in the
fierce morning light; she heard MIR.
Bowen's voice, she heard Charley's
voice, she heard another Voice-her
own. though she scarcely recognized
1t.
"I'll tie the horses. Betty" said
Norton.
He had reached the edge OF the
oaks when from the silent depths OF
the denser woods came the sharp re-
port of rife. The shock Of the bull
let sent the young fellow: staggering
back among the messy and myrtle
covered graves.
For a moment no one grasped what
had happened, only there was Norton
who seemed to -groIe strangely among