News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1912-05-29

|
Belle Plain" said Darlington.
! There was an interval broken only
by the occasional sweep of the great
| steering oar as Cavendish coaxed the
raft out toward the channel. The
| thought of Charley Nortons murder
rested on Darlington like a pail
| Scarcely a week had elapsed since he
quilted Thicket Point, and in that
week the hand OF death had dealt
with them impartially, and to what
end? Then the miles he had traversed
in his hopeless journey up-river trans
lated themselves into a division of
time as well as space. They were
lust as much further removed from
the past with its blight of tragic ter
for. He turned and glanced at Betty.
He saw that her eyes held their steady
look Of wistful pity that was for the
dead man; yet in spite Of this, and in
spite of the bounds beyond which he
would not let his imagination carry
him, the future, enriched with sudden
promise, unfolded itself. The deep
sense of recovered hope stirred with
in him. He knew there must come a
day when he would dare to speak OF
his love, and she would listen.
cts best We should land at Bates
place-we can get teams there" he
went on to explain. And, Betty,
wherever we go we'll go together,
dear. Cavendish doesn't look as if he
had any very urgent business of his
own, and l reckon the same is true
of Yancy, so am going to keep them
with us. There are some points to be
cleared up when we reach Belle Plain
some folks who'll have a lot to ex-
plain or else quit this part of the
state! And l intend to SEE that you
are not left alone until-untiI | have
the right to take care of you for good
and all-that's what you want me to
do one of these days, isn't it, dar-
fnitely tender, dwelt on her upturned
face.
But Betty shrank from him in in
voluntary agitation.
vi, IOI INV, Ii uNC NV NOW -"O
mustn't speak of that-it's wrong
it's wicked-you mustn't make me
forget him!" she cried bl okenly, in
protest.
Forgive me, Betty, I'll not speak
of it again." he said. Il
Wait, Bruce, and some time-Oh,
don't make me say it," she gasped,
or l shall hate myself" for in his
presence she was feeling the horror
Of her past experience grow strangely
remote, only the dull ache of her
remained, and to these she
chung. They were silent for a mo-
ment. then Darlington said:
After I'm sure you'll be safe here
perhaps I'll go south into the Choctaw
Purchase. I've been thinking of that
but I'll find my way back |
lere-don't misunderstood NELL |
not come too soon for even you. Bet
y. l loved Norton. He was one OF
ny best friends, too" he continued
gently. But you know-and | know
dear, the day will come when no
natter where you are l shall find you
md not lose you!"
Betty made no answer in words,
1ut soft and eloquent little hand
vas slipped into his and allowed to
est there.
Presently light wind stirred the
lead dense atmosphere, the mist lift
ID and enveloped the shore, showing
hem the river between piIed-up
mass of vapor. Apparently it ran
or their raft alone. 1t was just TWEEN
y-four hours since Darlington had
ooked upon such another night. but
his was a different world the gray
og was unmasking-a world of hopes,
nd dreams, and rich content. Then
he thought of Norton-poor Norton
Who had had his world, too, of hopes
nd dreams and rich content
The calm of highly domestic ex-
5tence had resumed it's interrupted
way on the raft. Mr. Cavendish, as
ociated in Betty's memory with GER
ain ear-splittlng manifestations OF
erocious rage, became in the bosom
f his family low-voiced and genial
nd hopelessly impotent to deal with
is five small sons; while Yancy was
gain the Bob Yancy Of Scratch Hill,
iolence of any sort apparently had
c. place in his nature. He was deep
7 absorbed in Hannibal's account of
nose vicissitudes which had befaIlen |
i'm during their separation. They
ere now seated before a cheerful fire
lat blazed on the hearth the boy
cry close to Yancy, with one hand
asped in the Scratch Killers. while
bout them were ranged the six Small
avendishes sedately sharing in the
eunion of uncle and nevvy, toward
hich they felt they had honorabIy
.bored.
And you want dead, Uncle Bob?'' l
aid Hannibal with a deep breath,
ewing Yancy Enthusiastically in the
esh.
Never once. / been floating peace
lily along with these here titled
lends of mine; but was some anx-
us about you, son."
And Mr.. Slosson, Uncle Bob-did
Du smack him like you smacked
ave Blount that day when he tried u
steal me?" asked Hannibal, whose
Of | 1.