Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-03-28
(cosyhrht 1911 rs BoSAs-Aasran cOapaay)
CHAPTER VII
go
On the River

bAohd III tuo DAubb VI u u1HhpOuNs
Just arrived by the four-horse coach
that piled regularly between Wash
ington and Georgetown, she had
found the long board platform beside
the canal crowded with her fellow
passengers. Suddenly she became
aware Of tall. familiar figure moy~
ing through the crowd. 1t was Bruce
Darlington. At the same moment he
saw her, and with a casual air that
quite deceived her. approached.
You're leaving tonight?" he asked.
''Yes--isn't It miserable the way It
rains? And why are they so SLOW
why don't they hurry with that boatT-'
"Its in the last lock now" ex-
planned Darlington, and gathering up
Bety'B hand luggage, he helped her
aboard.
By tho time they had reached
Wheeling, Betty had quite parted with
whatever superficial prejudice she
might have had concerning rivermen.
This particular ono was evidently a
very nice river-man. an exception 20
bis kind. lie made choice OF the
steamer on which she should continue
her journey, and thoughtfully chose
The Naiad-a allow boat.
Il haven't thing 70 oTer her-this
is plain madness OF minel" he kept
telling himself. and then the expires.
sion OF hls face would become grim
and determined. No more OF the river
for hirn--hn,d Ref hold ~ scme land
and 30 20 raising cotton; that was tho
way money was made.
Slow as The Naiad was, the days
passed much too swiftly for him.
When Memphis was reached their
friendly intercourse would come TO an
end. There would be her brother, OF
whom she had occasionally spoken
he would be pretty certain to have
the ideaa OF his class.
The days, like any other days. dwin-
died. The end of IL all was close at
hand. Another twenty-four hours
and Darlington reflected there would
only be good-by 70 say.
We win reach New Madrid To-
night" he told her. They wero
Watching the river, under a food OF
yellow moonlight.
Darlington. with his back against a
stanchion, watched her discontinued.
~.
You'll be mighty glad to have this
over with, Miss Malroy-" hs said at
length, with a comprehensive sweep
toward the river.
+Yos--shant your and she opened
her eyes questioningly.
NO." said Darlington with a short
laugh, drawing a chair near hers and
sitting down.
Betty, in surprise, gave him a quick
look, and then as quickly glanced
away from what she encountered In
his eyes, As she looked, suddenly
pale points of light appeared on q dis
tant headland.
rs that New Madrid-Oh, is It, Mr..
Carrington7" she cried eagerly.
Il reckon So" but he did not alter
bis position.
'But you're not looking!"
"Yes, amin looking at you. 1
reckon you'll think me crazy, Miss
Malroy- and all that
but / wish Memphis could be wiped
OF the map, and that we could go on
like this for everl"
"You mustn't tclk SOL am nothing
to you
yes, you are. You're everything
to me-" said Darlington doggedly.
You shall love me--" She was pow
erless in his embrace. She felt his
breath on her cheek, then he kissed
her. Suddenly his arms fell at his
sidei his face was white. Il was q
brute 10 do that--Betty, forgive mel
| am sors 3--no, can't be sorryl"
They were alongside the New Mad
rid wharf now, and certain young
man who had been impatiently watch
ing The Maids lights ever since they
became visible crossed the gang-pIank
with bound.
"Betty-why in the name OF good
ness did you ever choose this tuof''
said the newcomer.
Charley"
Darlington stepped back. THIS
must be the brother who had come up
the river from Memphis to meet her
but her brothers name was Toni
he looked this stranger--this Charley
--over with hostile eye, offended by
his good looks, his confident manner,
In which he thought he detected an
air Of ownership, as Uncertainty he
was holding her hands longer than
was necessary. An instant lAtsr, when
Betty, remembering, turned TO speak
to him. his place by the rail- was de-
serted.
All that day Hannibal was haunted
by the memory OF what ne had heard
and sean at Slosson's tavern. More