The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-06-15
CHAPTER x.
Belle Plain.

Belle Plain.
Now, Tom," said Betty, with a lit
tie air Of excitement as she rose from
the breakfast table that first morn
ing at Belle Plain, Il want you tC
show me everything"
Il reckon you'll notice some
changes" remarked Tom.
He went from the room and down
the hall a step or two in advance OF
her. On the wide porch Betty paused
breathing deep. The house stood on
an emfnence; directly before 1t at the
bottom of the slight descent was a
small bayou, beyond this the forest
stretched away in one unbroken mass
to the Mississippi
What Is 1t you want to see, any
how, Betty?" Tom demanded.
Everything place, Tom-BelIe
Plain! Oh, isn't it beautiful! | had
no idea how lovely 1t was!" cried
Betty. as with her eyes still fixed on
the distant panorama of wood and
water she went down the steps, him
at her heels-he bet she'd get sick OF
1T all soon enough, that was one COM
-forti
Why. Tom! Why does the lawn
look like this?"
Like what?" inquired Tom.
why. this-all weeds and briers,
and the paths overgrown?"
Mr.. Ware rubbed his chin reflective
,ly with the back of his hand.
That sort OF thing looked all right,
Bet" he said. but it kept five or six
of the best hands out OF the fields
right at the busiest time of the year"
Haven't slaves enough?" she
asked.
The dull color crept into Wares
cheeks. He hated her for that IL"
So she was going to come that on
him. was she?
-.D6n't you want to see the crops,
Bet?"
The girl shook her head and moved
swiftly down the path that led from
terrace to terrace to the margin OF
the bayou. At the first terrace she
paused.
Its positively squalid!" cried Bet
ty. with little stamp Of her foot.
Ware glanced about with dull eyes.
"pll tell you, Betty, I'm busy this
morning; you poke about and see
what you want done and we'll do It,"
he said, and made a hasty retreat to
mis- office.
Betty returned to the porch and
seating herself on the top step, with
her elbows on her knees and her chin
sunk in the palms of her hands, gazed
about her miserably enough She was
still there when half an hour later
Charley Norton galloped up the drive
from the highroad. Catching sight OF
her on the porch, he sprang from the
saddle. and. throwing his reins to a
black boy. hurried to her side.
Inspecting your domain, Betty?"
he asked. as he took his place near
her on the step.
why didn't you tell me, Charley
or at least prepare me for thisy" she
asked, almost tearfully.
How was | to know, Betty II
haven't Deen mere since you went
away, dear-what was there to bring
me? Old Tom would make a COW
pasture out Of the Garden of Eden.
wouldn't he-a beautiful. practical.
soriid soul he isl"
Norton spent the day at Belle Plain;
and though he was there on his good
behavior as the result of an agree
ment they had reached on board The
Naiad, he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken in his supposi- |
ton that Betty would soon tire OF |
Belle Plain. She demanded men. and |
teams. and began on the lawns. This
Interested and fascinated her. She
was out az sun-up to direct her labor
ers. She had the advantage of Charley
Norton's presence and advice for the
greater part OF each day in the week.
and Sundays he came to look over
what had been accomplished, and. as
Tom firmly believed, to put that little
tool up to fresh nonsense. He could
have booted him!