The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-18
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CHAPTER VII.

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r CHAPTER VII.
Betty gteo1 under = lriDoing ~
brellA II III midst q Aewnpoaf.
Just arrived ~ the f0gf<horDe
coach That pltsd regularly between
WashiAttpn and 0eofgetown, she
had found the long board platform
beside the canal crowded with her
fellow paabengefs. Suddenly she
became s4aee Of . tall. familiar
Ayurs nosing through ths crowd.
It was Bruce Casfmgtpn. At the
same mCmsnt he nv her, and with
. casual air that quite deceived her,
approached.
You're leaving toaishtr he
asked.
~Yss-isAt Il miserable the way
It rains! And Why are they 90
slow-xhy don't they hurry with
that boat!"
.It's in the last lock now" ex-
planned Darlington. and gathering
up Betty's hand luggage, he helped
her aboard.
By the time they had reached
Wheeling. Betty had quite parted
with whatever superficial pre5udice
she might have had Concerning
rivermen. This particular one was
evidently . very nice fiSefman, an
exception to his kind. He made
choice Of the steamer on which she
should continue her journey. and
thoughtfully chose The Naiad-a
slow boat
II haven't a thing to offer her
this is plain madness Of NINE" he
kept telling himself. and then the
expression Of his face would be-
come grim and determined. No
more Of the river for him-he'd get
hold Of some land and 90 to rails
ing cotton; that was the way money
was made.
| Slow as The Naiad Was, the days
passed much too swiftly for him
When Memphis was reached theil
friendly intercourse would come tC
an end. There would be hel
brother. Of whom she had occa.
sionally spoken-he would b
! pretty certain to have the ideas Of
his class.
The days, like any other days
dwindled. The end Of it all wa
close at hand. Another "a hour
and Darlington reflected there
would only Be good-by to say.
I'VE will reach New Madrid to
night" he told her. They were
Watching the river, under . loot
of yellow moonlight.
Darlington, with his back agains
! a stanchion, watched her discon
tentedly.
I You'll be mighty glad to havt
this over with, Miss Malro*-" b,
said At length, with = comprehen
| sive sweep toward the river.
/ "Yes-shan't you" and she open
ed her eyes questioningly. X
/ NO. said sCarfingtoh with ,
short laugh, drawing . chair nea
| hers and sitting down.
i Betty. in surprise, gave him |
quick look, and then a quickl.
| glanced away from what she en-
!. countered in his eyes. AS she le9k
. ed, suddenly pale points Of likh
: appeared on q distant headland.
. rs that New Madrid-Oh, is il
. Mr.. Carrinkton r she cried eagefl,
II reckon So. but he did no
/ alter his position
But you're not looking"
yes, AMIN looking at you.
reckon you'll think me crazy. Mis-
Mairoy-pfesumptuous and all ths
but wish Memphis could b
wiped OF the map, and that y
could 60 on like this for evet!"
You mustn't talk sol am moth
ing to you
yes. you are. You're everythin
to me-" said Darlington doggedl.
You shall love me" he was pow
eriess in his embrace. She felt hi
breath on her cheek, then he kisse
her. Suddenly his arms fell at hi
side; his face was white. Il was
, brute to do that-Betty, fofgiv
me. I an sorry-no, can't b
sorry"
They were alongside the Ne
Madrid wharf now, and . certai
young man who had been imps
tiently watching The Maids light
ever since they became visibl
crossed the gang-plank with
: bound.
"Betty-why in the name of good
ness did you ever choose this TUB!
said the newcomer.
'Charley!s
j Darlington stepped back. Tn
must be the brother who had CON
up the river from Memphis to me,
her-but her brothers name wa
Tom! He looked this stranger
this Charley-over with a hostil
eye, offended by his good looks, b
. | confident manner in which b
|, thought he detected an air Of owl
| srship, - if-ceftainly he was holt
|, ing her hands longer than va
!. necessary. An instant later, whe
Betty, remembering. turned
! speak to him. his place by the "a
D was Deserted.
4 All that day Hannibal was haun