Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-05-16
Saint Nstg's Beacon.

uhL VIII uOB f1duulDdl-WdlL tu0ro
don't go any farther." Betty called
after him when he had reached q
point sufficiently distant to be out Of
hearing Of a conversation carried on
in an ordinary tone. "New, what II
it? Speak quickly II you have any
thing to tell mel"
Il got heap 70 say" answered tho
girl with a scowl. Her manner was
still fierce and repellant, and she gave
Betty a certain jealous regard out OF
her black eyes which the latter wan
at loss to explain. Where's Mr.
Tom9" she demanded.
tom? Why, about the place,
suppose-in hts office, perhaps" 20
it had to do with Tom. Betty
felt sudden disgust with the situation.
mo, he amt about the place. eth
erI He done struck out for Memphis
two hours after sun-up, and what's
more, he amt coming back here to-
night" There was q moment OF al
lence. The girl looked about appre-
hensiveIy. 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-an
amt forgot thatl"
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 so scared; / reckon Belle
Plains as good as his II anything
happened to your"
BY a great effort Betty gained Q
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 known" she said
quietly.
"Why do you reckon Mr.. Norton
was shot? / can tell you why-it
was all along OF you-that was whyi"
The girls furtive glance, which
searched and watched the gathering
shadows, came back as 1t always did
to Betty's pale face. you amt no
safer than he was, tell you'll" and
she sucked In her breath sharply be-
tween her full red lips.
what do you meant" faltered
Betty.
do you reckon you're safe here In
the big house alone? Why do you
reckon Mr.. Tom cleared out for Mem.
IA 10 ha
around and have anything happen to
you-that was whyl" and the girl
aank her voice to a whisper. you
quit Belle Plain now--tonight-just as
soon az you canl"
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 OF
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 SC
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 now her own fate wai
linked with that of this poor white.
"You have been waiting some time
to see me?" she asked.
ttITyn, oIpnA nInna "a hnnf nnnn
you we're afraid to come 70 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 4
be afraid of that7' asked Betty.
Again the girl stamped her foo
with angry impotence.
You're Just wastin' time-1ust fool
In 1t away-and you amt got none u
sparel"
you must tell me what have u
fear-I must know more or / shal
stay Just where / ami"
well, then, stayl" The girl turneC
away, and then as quickly turned bacl
and faced Betty once more. Il reckon
he'd kill me II he KNEW reckon
I've earned that already"
"Of whom are you speaking7"
Hell have you away from here TO
night"
Her who .. ant
what If refuse to go?"
did they ask Charley Morton
whether he wanted to live or der
came the sinister question.
A SILVER passed through Betty. Sh'
was seeing it all again-Charley as III
CROPPED among the graves with th'
hand Of death heavy upon him.
A moment later she was alone. Tn,
girl had disappeared. There were onl!
the shifting shadows as the winC
tossed the branches OF the trees, ant
the bands of golden light that slante'
along the empty path. The fear o
the unknown leaped up afresh in Bet
ty's soul; in an instant flying feet hat
borne her to the boys side.
"Come--come quick, Hanniball'
she gasped out, and seized his hand
What is 1t, Miss Betty? What
the matter?" asked Hannibal as the!
fled painting up the terraces.
II don't know-only we must ge
away from here just as soon as WI
cant" Than seainp the look of alarm