The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13

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 a 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, l tell
you; there amt no time to lose!" The
girl stamped her foot impatiently.
Betty made a 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 will do, Hannibal-wait there
don't go any farther" Betty called
after him when he had reached a
point sufficiently distant to be out OF
hearing of a conversation carried on
in an ordinary tone. Now, what is
it? Speak quickly If you have any
thing to tell mel"
Il got a heap to say" answered the
girl with scowl. Her manner was
still fierce and repellant, and she gave
Betty a certain jealous regard out OF
her black eyes which the latter was
at a loss to explain. where's Mr..
Tom?" she demanded.
Tom? Why, about the place,
suppose-in his Office, perhaps So
it had to do with Tom. Betty
felt sudden disgust with the situation.
NO, 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 to-
night" There was a moment of 81
lence- The girl looked about appre-
hensiVely. 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-I reckon you-aIl
ANT 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; reckon Belle
Plains as good as his If anything
happened to your"
By a great effort Betty gained
measure of control over herself. She
took 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 known" she said
quietly.
Why do you reckon Mr.. Norton
was shot? l can tell you why-it
was all along of you-that was whyl"
The girls furtiye 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 youl" and
she sucked in her breath sharply be-
tween her full red lips.
What do you mean?" faitered
Betty.
III TO4 ACCAQ4 yOA &c safe nCAC IL
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 whyl" and the girl
sank her voice TO q whisper. You
quit Belle Plain now-tonight-just as
soon as you cant"
This is absurd-you are trying to
brighten mel"
Did they stop with trying to fright
en- Charley Nortong7 demanded Bess,
with harsh insistenee.
Whatever the promptings that in
spired this warning. they plainly had
nothing to do with either hiking or
sympathy. Her dominating emotion
seemed to be a sullen sort OF resent
ment which Lit up her glance with a
duh IRE; yet her feelings were so
clearly and 30 keenly personal that
Betty understood the motive that had
brought her there. The explanation,
she found, left her wondering just
where and how her own fate was
linked with that OF this poor white.
You have been waiting some time
to see me7" she asked
Ever since along about noon.
You were afraid to come 70 the