Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-04-24


heard might have been only the rust
ling of the wild among the branches
overhead in that shadowy silence, but
Betty's nerves. the placid nerves OF
youth and perfect health. were shat
tered
Didn't you hear something, Han
nibal?" she whispered fearfully.
For answer Hannibal pointed mys-
teriously, and glancing in the direc.
ton he indicated. Betty saw woman
advancing along the path toward |
them. The look OF alarm slowly died /
out of his eyes
Il think it's the overseer's niece"
she told Hannibal, and they kept on
toward the boat
The girl came rapidly up the path.
which closely followed the irregular
line of the shore in its windings.
! Once she was seen to stop and glance
back over her shoulder, her attitude
intent and listening, then she hurried
forward again. Just at the boat the
three met
Good evening"" said Betty pleas
antly.
merely regarded Betty with a fixed
stare. At length she broke the ST.
lence abruptly.
Il got something | want to say to
you-you know who l am. | reckon"
She was girl of about Bettys own
age, with a certain dark, sullen beau
ty and that physical attraction which
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 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 OF, | 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 conversation carried or
in an ordinary tone. Now. what is
it? Speak quickly if you have any
thing TO tell me-"
Il got heap TO say" answered the
girl with scowl. Her manner was
Betty a certain jealous regard out o
her black eyes which the latter wa.
at a loss to explain. Where's MIR
TOM" she demanded.
Tom? Why. about the place,
suppose-in his office. perhaps" 81
Il 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
more, he amt coming back here to
night" There was a moment OF 81
lence The girl looked about appre
hensively. She continued, fixing he
black eyes on Betty: You're her
alone at Belle Plain-you know wha
happened when MIR. Tom started 10
memphis last NlAut-l lSShOh fSN-o'
ART forgot that"
Betty felt a pallor steal over he
face. She rested a hand that SHOOT
on the trunk of tree TO steady her
self The girl laughed shortly
Don't be so scared: reckon Bell,
Plains as good as his If anything
happened to you?"
BY a great effort Betty gained {
measure OF control over herself Sh,
took step nearer and looked the CIR
steadily in the face.
Perhaps you will stop this sort O.
talk. and tell me what is going Il
happen 10 me-if you know" she sale
quietly.
Why do you reckon Mr.. Nortor
was shot? can tell you WHY
was all along of you-that was why!
The girls furtive glance. which
10 searched and watched the gathering
shadows. came back as II always die
v to Bettys pale face. You amt M
"a safer than he was. | tell you" ant
= she sucked in her breath sharply be
lie tween her full red lips.
. What do you mean?" faltere'
:. Betty.
!, DO you reckon you're safe here IL
-. the big house alone? Why do yol
reckon MIR. Tom cleared out for Mem
IN phis? II was because he couldn't b.
around and have anything happen 4
&c you-that was why" and the cir
20 sank her voice to whisper. "fo
II Quit Belle Plain now-tonight-1ust a
NJ soon as you cam"
This is absurd-you are trying I
z, brighten me-"
tn Did they stop with trying 10 fright
en- Charley Norton?" demanded Bess
ig with harsh insistence.
ly CTO BE CONTINUED)