The new era., 1912-07-04

sively about his. The sound she had
heard might have been only the rust.
ling Of the wind among the branches
overhead in that shadowy silence. but
Betty's nerves. the placid nerves OF
youth and perfect health. were shat.
tered.
Didn't you hear something. Han.
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys.
teriously. and glancing In the direc-
ton he Indicated. Betty saw a woman
advancing along the path toward
them. The look of alarm slowly died
out Of his eyes.
Il think it's the overseer's niece"
she told Hannibal. and they kept on
toward the boat.
The girl came rapidly up the path.
which closely followed the irregular
line OF the shore in its windings.
back over her shoulder. her attitude
intent and listening. then she hurried
forward again. Just at the boat the
three met.
Good EVENING"" said Betty pleas
antly.
The girl made no reply to this: she
merely regarded Betty with fixed
stare. At length she broke the ST.
lence abruptly.
II got something l want to say to
you-you know who am. reckon?"
She was a girl OF about Betty's own
age. with q certain dark. sullen beau
ty and that physical attraction which
Tom. in spite OF his vexed mood. had
taken note OF earlier in the day.
You are Bess Hicks" said Betty.
Make the boy go back toward the
house SPELL got something want
to say to you" Betty hesitated. She
was offended by the girls manner.
which was rs rude as her speech. Il
amt going to hurt you-you needn't
be afraid OF me. got something i'm
portant to say-send him OF. tell
you: there amt no time to lose!" The
girl stamped her foot impatiently.
Betty made sign to Hannibal and
he passed slowly back along the path.
He went unwillingly. and he kept his
head turned that he might see what
was done. even II he were not to hear
what was said.
don't go any farther!" Betty called
after him when he had reached a
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing OF IA conversation carried on
in an ordinary tone. Nov. what is
It? Speak quickly II you have any
thing to tell me-"
Il got heap to say" answered the
girl with q scowi. Her manner was
still fierce and repellnnt. and she gave
Betty a certain Jealous regard out OF
her black eyes which the latter was
at loss to explain. where's MIR.
Tom?" she demanded.
Tom? Why. about the place. l
suppose-in his office. perhaps" so
It had to do with Tom Betty
felt sudden disgust with the situation.
mo. he amt about the place. eth.
er! He done struck out for Memphis
two hours after sun.up. and what's
more, he amt coming back here "
night" There was a moment OF 81.
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-l reckon you.all
air't forgot that"
Betty felt a pallor steal over her
face. She rested a hand that shook
on the trunk OF a tree to steady her
self. The girl laughed shortly.
Don't be so scared: I reckon Belle
Plains as good as his II anything
happened to you?"
BY great effort Betty gained q
took n 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 know?" she said
quietly.
"Why do you reckon MIR. Norton
was shot? can tell you why-it
was all along OF you-that was why!"
The girls furtive glance. which
searched and watched the gathering
shadows, came back as It always did
to Betty's pale face. You amt no
safer than he was. | tell you!" and
she sucked in hnr breath sharply be-
tween her full red lips.
What do you mean7" faltered
Betty.
DO you reckon you're safe here in
the big house alone? Why do you
reckon Mr.. Tom cleared out for Mem.
phis? 1t was because he couldn't be
around and have anything happen to
you-that was why!" and the girl
sank her voice to a whisper. You
quit Belle Plain now-tonight-1ust as
soon as you cant"
This Is absurd-you are trying to