The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-21
( ByXAUCHAnkESTER
AzHszR4H0XS nm
~A
Coorenc11 Io>. E,e 6o11, .AeAeus Co-~a~"r


with that later-so will Baden" he
added, significantly. He studied her
out of those deeply sunken eyes OF his
in which no shadow of youth lin
eered, for men such as he reached
their prime early, and 1t was swift
ly passing splendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west Tennessee?"
he said at length.
+. EYES,"
Il know your halfbrother. Tom
Ware-I know him very we'll"
$50 you know, Tom?" she observed,
and frowned slightly. Tom was her
guardian, and her memories OF him
were not satisfactory. A burly, un'
shaven man with a queer streak OF
meanness through his character.
you've spent much of your time
up north?" suggested Murreil.
-Four years. I've been at school,
you know. That's where met Judith
Ferris
Il hope you'll like west Tennessee.
It's still a bit raw compared with
what you've been accustomed to in
the north. You haven't been back in
all those four years?' Betty shook
her head Nor seen Tom-nor any
one from out yonder?" For some rea-
son little tinge OF color had crept
into Betty's cheeks. will you let me
renew our acquaintance at Belle
Plain? I shall be in west Tennessee
before the summer is over; probably
l shall leave here within week. he
said, bending toward her. His glance
dwelt on her face and on the plant
lines of her figure and his senses
swan.
IT imagine you will be welcome at
Belle Plain. You are Toms friend"
Murrell bit his lip, and then laughed
as his mind conjured up a picture of
the cherished Tom. Suddenly he
reached out and rested his hand on
hers.
"Betty-if l might think" he be-
gan, but his tongue stumbled. His
love-making was usually of savage
sort, but some quality in the girl held
him In check. Betty drew away from
him. an angry color on her cheeks
and an angry light in her eyes. For
give me, Betty" murmured Murrell.
but his heart beat against his ribs,
and passion sent its surges through
him. Don't you know what I'm try
ing to tell you?" he whispered. Betty
gathered up her reins. Not yet
he cried, and again he rested heavy
hand on hers.
LET me go-let me go!" cried Bet
ty Indignantly.
"No-not yeti" He urged his horse
still nearer and gathered her close.
You've got to hear me. I've loved
you since the first moment l rested
my eyes on you-and, by God, you
shall love me In return!" He felt her
struggle to free herself from his
grasp with a sense of savage triumph.
Bruce Darlington, on his way back
to Fayetteville from the Forks, came
about turn In the road. Betty saw
tall, handsome fellow in the first
flush of manhood; Darlington, an
angry girl struggling in mans
grasp.
At sight OF the newcomer, Murrell,
with an oath, released Betty. who,
striking her horse with the whip, gal
Hoped down the road toward the
Barony. AS she fled past Darlington
she bent low In her saddle.
Don't let him follow me-" she
gasped, and Darlington, striding for
ward, caught Murrell's horse by the
bit.
LET go!" reared Murrell, and a
murderous light shot from his eyes.
II don't know but should pull you
out of that saddle and twist your
neck!" said Darlington hotly. Muir
rell's face underwent swift change.
you're bold fellow to force your
way into lovers quarrel he said
quietly. Carrington's arm dropped at
his side. Perhaps, after all. it was
that.