The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-01-31


lacking In appearance he was richest
in substance. He carried scars hon
orably earned in those differences he
had been prone TO cultivate with less
generous natures; for his scheme OF
life did not embrace the millennium.
Thank God you got here when
you did" said Darlington.
I'VE was some pushed TO time, but
we done It," responded the earl mod
estly. He added, What nov?-do We
make landing?"
"No-unless IL interferes with your
plans not to. | want TO get around
the next bend before we tie up. Later
Wen all go back. Can | count on
your"
You shorely can. | consider this
here as sociable neighborhood as
ever struck II pleases me well.
Folks are up and doing hereabout."
Darlington looked eagerly around in
search OF Betty. She was sitting on
an upturned tub, a pathetic enough
figure as she dropped against the wall
OF one OF the shanties with all her
NOuldSb Aullt BOHt htls iic
made his way quickly to her side.
La" whispered Polly In Chills and
Fevers ear. IF that pore young thing
yonder keeps a widow IL won't be be-
cause of any encouragement she gets
from Mr.. Darlington. If | ever seen
marriage in a mans eye l seen 1t In
his this minute!"
"Bruce!" cried Betty, starting up az
Darlington approached. "Oh, Bruce,
| am so glad you have come-you are
not hurt?" She accepted his presence
without question.
I'VE are none OF us hurt, Betty" he
said gently, as he took her hand.
He saw that the suffering she had
undergone during the preceding
twenty-four hours had left its record
on her tired face and In her heavy
eyes. She retained shuddering con-
sciousness of the unchecked savagery
of those last moments on the keel
boat; she was still hearing the oaths
of the men as they struggled together,
the sound OF blows, and the dreadful
silences that had followed them. She
turned from him. and there came the
relief OF tears.
There, Betty, the danger is over
now and you were so brave while 1t
lasted. | can't bear to have you cry!"
Il was wild with fear-all that time
on the boat, Bruce" she faltered be-
tween her sobs. IL didn't know but
they would find you out. l could only
wait and hope-and pray"
Il was in no danger, dear. Didn't
the girl tell you | was TO take the
place OF a man Slosson was expect
ing? He never doubted that | was
that man until a light-a signal it
must have been-on the shore at the
head OF the bayou betrayed me-"
Where are we going now, Bruce?
Not the way they went" and Betty
glanced out into the black void where
the keel boat had merged into the
gloom.
No no-but we can't get the raft
back upstream against the current,
so the best thing is TO land at the
Bates plantation below here; then as
soon as you are able We can return to
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 impartlally. and to what
end? Then the miles he had traversed
I'm his hopeless journey up-river trans
/ lated themselves into a division OF
/ time as we'll as space. They were
/ Just as much further removed from
\ the past with its blight OF tragic ter.
ror. He turned and glanced at Betty.
/ lie saw that her eyes held their steady
look OF wistful pity that was for the
dead man; yet I'm 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 10 speak OF
his love. and she would listen.
ITS best We should land at Bates
place-we can get teams there" he
went on to explain. And. Betty,
wherever we go Wen go together,
dear. Cavendish doesn't look as II he
had any very urgent business OF his
own. and | reckon the same Is true
OF Yancy. so am going to keep them
with us. There are some points 20 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 | intend 20 see that you
are not left alone until-until have
the right 20 take care of you for good
and all-tAats what you want me tc
do one of these days. isn't Il. dar
ling?" and his eyes. glowing and IN
anitsiy tender. dwelt on her upturnec
face.
cTo BE coNTINuEDl