The new era., 1912-04-25
CHAPTER v, (contInued.)

CHAPTER v. (contInued.)
When Betty Malroy rode away from
Squire Balaam's Murrell galloped after
her. Presently she heard the beat OF
his horses hoofs as he came pound
ing along the sandy road, and glanced
back over her shoulder With an ex.
clamation OF displeasure she refined In
her horse. Murrell quickly gained q
place at her side.
Il suppose Ferris Is at the Barony?"
he said, drawing his horse down to a
walk.
II believe he is" said Betty with q
curt little air.
May ride with you?" he gave her
a swift glance. She nodded indif-
ierently and would have urged her
horse Into gallop again. but he made
q gesture OF protest. "Don't-or l
shall think you are still running away
from me-" he said with short laugh.
Were you at the trial?" she asked.
y am glad they didn't get Hannibal
away from Yancy."
"Oh. Yancy will have his hands full
with that later-so will Biaden." he
added. significantly. He studied her
out Of those deeply sunken eyes OF his
in which no shadow OF youth lin.
gered. for men such rs he reached
their prime early. and, It was swift.
ly passing spleudor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west TennesseeY"
he said at length.
Yes"
Il know your haif.brother, Tom
Warc-l know him very WELL"
80 you know Tom?" she observed.
and frowued slightly. Tom was her
guardian. and her memories OF him
were not satisfactory. A burly. un.
shaven man with n queer streak OF
meanness through his character.
You've spent much OF your time
mp north?" suggested Murreli.
-Four years. I've been at school.
you know. That's where l met Judith
Ferris"
Il hope you'll like west Tennessee.
It's still n bit raw compared with
the north. You haven't been back in
all those four years." Betty shook
her head. Nor seen Tom-nor any
one from out yondcr?" For some rea.
son a little tinge OF color had crept
into Betty's cheeks. will you let me
renew our acquaintance at Belle
Plain! l shall be in west Tennessee
before the summer is over: probably
! shall leave here within week." he
said. bending toward her. His glance
dwclt on her face and on the plant
lines Of her figure. and his senses
swan.
Il imagine you will DO welcome at
Belle Plain. You are Toms friend"
Murreli 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 I might think" he be.
gan. but his tongue stumbled. His
lovc-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 Murreli,
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 a heavy
hand on hers.
Let me go-let me co." cried Bet.
~ Indignantly.
"No-not yeti" lie urged his horse
still! nearer and gathered her close.
you've got to hear me. I've loved
you since the first moment | rested
my eyes on you-and. by God. you
shall love me In return!" lie 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
nush 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.
loped down the road toward the
Barony. As she ned past Darlington
she bent low in her saddle.
Don't let him follow mel" she
sasped. and Darlington, stridins for.
ward, caught Murrell's horse BY the
BIT
Let go!" roared Murrell. ana .
nurderous light shot from his eyes.
= don't know but should pull you