The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-07-27

VIII startled exclamation. and Han
ntbal felt her fingers close convuI.
sfvely 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 fearfulIy.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys-
terfously. and glancing in the direc-
ton he indicated. Betty saw 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, I"
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.
Once she was seen to stop and glance
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.
Il got something l want to say to
you-you know who am. l reckon!"
She was a girl OF about Betty's own
age. with 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 as 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 on, 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 If he were not to hear
what was said.
That win do, Hannibal-wait there
don't go any farther!" Betty called
after him when he had reached
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing Of conversation carried on
In an. ordinary tone. Nov, what 10 |
Il? Speak quickly II you have any
thing to tell mel
Il got heap to say" answered the
girl with scowl. Her manner was
still fierce and repellant, and she gave
Betty certain jealous regard out OF
her black eyes which the latter was
at loss to explain. where's Mr..
Tom?" she demanded.
Tom? Why, about the place. |
his Office. perhaps" So
It had to do with Tom. Betty |
cit sudden disgust with the situation.
mo. he amt about the place, eth
sr! He done struck out for Memphis
two hours after sun-up, and what's
more, he amt coming back here to-
night" There was a moment of ST.
ence The girl looked about appre-
,ensively. 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 timeI reckon you-all
lint forgot that"
Betty felt pallor steal over her
ace. She rested a hand that shook
N the trunk of a tree to steady her
elf. The girl laughed shortly.
Don't be 30 scared: / reckon Belle
plains as good as his II anything
happened to your"
BY a great effort Betty gained
oeasure Of control over herself She
ook a step nearer and looked the girl
teadily In the face.
Perhaps you will stop this sort Of
ak, and tell me what is going to
appen to me--if you know" she said
uietly.
why do you reckon Mr.. Norton
1as shot? can tell you why-it
,as all along OF you-that was why!-
he girls furtive glance. which
earched and watched the gathering
hadows, came back as 1t always did
, Betty's pale face. You amt no !
afer than he was, tell you'll" and
10 sucked in her breath sharply be-
veen her full red lips.
What DO you mean" faltered
city. II
DO you reckon you're safe here In {
le big house alone? Why do you !
,ckon Mr.. Tom cleared out for Mem {
his? It was because he couldn't DO {