Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-15
cHAprEk XIV.
Xt the Church Door.
\ found Rattv at suppAP.

weren't you, Bet! How did you nnd
hint?
.Ths doctor says he will soon be
about again"
Betty. wish you wouldn't 20
there again-that's q good girl!" he
said tactfully, and as he conceived 1t,
,aRectionately. Betty glanced up
quickly.
why. Tom. Why shouldn't I 90
there?"
!, 1T might set people gossiping. I
reckon there's been pretty near
enough talk about you and Charley
Norton" The planters tone was con.
ciliatory In the extreme, he dared not
risk . break by any open show OF
authority.
"You needn't distress yourself. Tom.
I don't know that I shall 90 there
again." said Betty indinerently.
. . .
At Thicket Point Charley Norton.
greatly excited, hobbled into the H.
brary in search of Darlington. He
found him reading By the open win
dow.
Look here. Bruce!" he cried. "lt's
settled; she's going to marry me!
Can't you wish me joy?"
Darlington held out his hand.
''You are not going to take any
risks now. you have too much to live
for" he said haltingly.
mo. I'm to 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"
ITS to be soon, then?" Darlington
asked. still haltingly.
very soon.'
Z 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, and then
1 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.
Tho 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. It was Darlington who
stood before her, his face haggard.
Without Q word he stepped to her
side and took her hands rather rough.
iy.
what am to do without your
his voice was almost a whisper.
what is this thing you have done?''
Bettys heart was beating with dull
sickening throbs.
IF you had only GOMEZ" she
moaned. snow I am going to be mar
ried tomorrow. I am to meet him at
the Spring Bank church at ten
O'Clock"
How can give you up?" he said,
his voice hoarse with emotion. He
put her from him almost roughly, and
leaning against the trunk of tree
buried his face in his hands. Betty
watched him for q moment in
wretched silence.
Its good-by-" he muttered.
She went to him, and, as he bent
above her, slipped her arms about his
neck.
kiss me" she breathed.
Ha 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 his1happiness had cost her.
Norton Joined her before she had
covered . third of the distance that
separated the two plantations.
I'VE are to 60 to the church. Mr..
Bowen win be there; arranged with
him last night; he will drive over
with his wife and daughter. who viii
be our witnesses, dear.
ss -
Afterward Betty could remember
standing before the church in the
fierce morning light: she heard Mr..
Bowen's voice, she heard Charley's
voice. she heard another voice-her
own, though she scarcely recognized
It.
I'm tis the horses, Betty" said
Norton.
He had reached the edge Of tho
loaks when from the silent depths OF
Che densef woods came the sharp re-
bort of rifle. The shock Of the bull
let sent the young fellow staggering
hack among the messy and myrtle.
covered graves.
For q moment no one grasped what
had happened, only there was Norton
who seemed to grope strangely among
the graves. He had fallen now. Even
a the shadows deepened he was aware
that Betty was coming swiftly toward
him.
.I'm shot" he said, speaking with
diftculty.
"Charley-Cha she moaned,
slipping her arms about him ana
gatAering him to her breast.
- He iuokks2 - into her face.
..lt's Ill over" Ae said. but 90
much q Woedsr . = fear. "But !
y