The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-05-10
CHAPTER V (Continued.l

CHAPTER v. (Contanued.)
When Betty Malroy rode away IRON
Squire Balaam's Murrell galloped after
her. Presently she heard the beat o1
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 reined IN
her horse. Murrell quickly gained
place at her side.
Il suppose Ferris Is at the Barony?'
he said, drawing his horse down to a
walk.
Il believe he L." said Betty with a
curt little air
May l ride with you?" he gave he1
a swift glance. She nodded indif
ferently and would have urged her
horse into gallop again, but he made
a gesture of protest. "Dont-or
shall think you are still running away
from me-" he said with a short laugh
Were you at the trial?" she asked
II am glad they didn't get Hannibal
away from Yancy."
"Oh, Yancy will have HIS hands full
with that later-so will Bladen," 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 as he reached
their prime early, and it was swift
ly passing splendor. Ferris tells me
you are going to west Tennessee?'
he said at length.
Yes"
Il know your half-bTother, Tom
Ware-I know him very Well"
so 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 Murrell.
-Four yeaEs. I've been at school.
Ferris"
Il hope youn 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 III
all those four years." Betty shoe IL
her head Nor seen Tom-nor auy
one from out yonder?" For some rea-
son a little tinge of color had crept
into Betty's cheeks. "Will you let mo
renew our acquaintance at Belle
Plain? | shall be in west Tennessee
before the summer is over.
h1
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 thirk-" he be-
gan, but his tongue stumbled His
love making was usually OF a 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 Murreu,
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 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 a turn in the road.
At sight of the newcomer, Murreu,
with an oath. released Betty. who,
striking her horse with the whip. ax4
lopez down the road toward the
Barony. AS she fed past Darlington
she bent low In her saddle.
Don't let him follow mel" she