The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-21

brella in the midst of downpour.
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 NOV
ing through the crowd. 1t was Bruce
Darlington. At tho same NON emit he
saw her, and with 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 boat?''
Its in the last lock now" ex-
planned Darlington, and gathering up
Betty's hand luggage, he helped her
aboard.
BY the time they had reached
Wheeling, Betty had quite parted with
whatever superficial prejudice she
might have had concerning river-men-
This particular one was evidently q
very nice riverman, an exception to
his kind. He made choice of the
steamer on which she should continue
her journey, and thoughtfully chose
The Mazda slow boat.
Il haven't a thing to offer her-thi8
is plain madness of mine!" he kept
telling himself, and then the express
and determined. No more of the river
for him-he'd get hold Of some land
and go to raising cotton; that was the
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 ideas of his class.
The days, like any other days, dw1n-
died. The end of it all was close at
hand. Another twenty-four hours
and Darlington reflected there would
only be good-by to say.
I'VE will reach New Madrid to-
night" he told her. They were
watching the river, under a flood or
yellow moonlight.
Darlington, with his back against 4
stanchion, watched her discontented-
ly.
You'll be mighty glad to have this
over with, Miss Malroy-" he said at
length, with a comprehensive sweep
toward the river.
"Yes-shan't your and she opened
her eyes quest1oningly.
NO." said Darlington with a short
laugh, drawing a chair near hers and
sitting down.
Betty, in surprise, gave him 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 dis
tant headland.
us that New Madrid-Oh, is it, Mir.
Carrington?" she cried eagerly.
Il reckon so,' but he did not alter
his position.
But you're not looking!"
Yes, l amin looking at you. 4
reckon you'll think me crazy, M1sD
Malroy-presumptuo and all that
but l wish Memphis could be wiped
off the map, and that We could go on.
like this for ever!"
you mustn't talk SOL am nothing
to you-"
Yes, you are. You're everything
to me-" said Darlington doggedly4
You shall love me-" She was pow
erless in his embrace. She felt h1a
breath on her cheek, then he kissed
her. Suddenly his arms fell at hiss
side; his face was white. II was 4
brute to do that-Betty, forgive mel
l am sorry-no, can't be sorry!"
They were alongside the New Mad
rid wharf now, and certain young
man who had been impat1ently watch
ing The Maids lights ever since they
became visible crossed the gang-plank
with a bound
"Betty-why in the name of good
ness did you ever choose this tub?'
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 Tom!
He looked this stranger-this Charley
over with a hostile eye, offended BY
his good looks, his confident manner.
in which he thought he detected an
air of ownership, as if-certainiy he
was holding her hands longer than
was necessary. An instant later, when
Betty, remembering, turned to speak
to him, his place by the rail was de-
serted.
4
ITO be cOntinued)