“You’re too late to stop it, Tom, but you can attend it,” said Norton composedly.

“You—­you—­” Words failed the planter; he sat his horse the picture of a grim and sordid despair.

Mr. Bowen divided a look of reproach between his wife and daughter; his own conscience was clear; he had told no one of the purpose of Norton’s call the night before.

“I’ll tie the horses, Betty,” said Norton.

Ware turned fiercely to Bowen.

“You knew better than to be a party to this, and by God!—­if you go on with it you shall live to regret it!”

The minister made him no answer, he thoroughly disapproved of the planter.  It was well that Betty should have a proper protector, this half-brother was hardly that measured by any standard.

Norton, leading the horses, had reached the edge of the oaks when from the silent depths of the denser woods came the sharp report of a rifle.  The shock of the bullet sent the young fellow staggering back among the mossy and myrtle-covered graves.

For a moment no one grasped what had happened, only there was Norton who seemed to grope strangely among the graves.  Black spots danced before his eyes, the little group by the church merged into the distance—­always receding, always more remote, as he, stumbled helplessly over the moss and the thick dank myrtle and among the round graves that gave him a treacherous footing; and then he heard Betty’s agonized cry.  He had fallen now, and his strength went from him, but he kept his face turned on the group before the church in mute appeal, and even as the shadows deepened he was aware that Betty was coming swiftly toward him.

“I’m shot—­” he said, speaking with difficulty.

“Charley—­Charley—­” she moaned, slipping her strong young arms about him and gathering him to her breast.

He looked up into her face.

“It’s all over—­” he said, but as much in wonder as in fear. 
“But I knew you would come to me—­dear—­” he added in a whisper. 
She felt a shudder pass through him.  He did not speak again. 
His lips opened once, and closed on silence.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE JUDGE OFFERS A REWARD

The news of Charley Norton’s murder spread quickly over the county.  For two or three days bands of armed men scoured the woods and roads, and then this activity quite unproductive of any tangible results ceased, matters were allowed to rest with the constituted authorities, namely Mr. Betts the sheriff, and his deputies.