. Just now I feel sure it would be unwise to tell them; for
mother is unusually weak and nervous this fall, and father is so
harassed over this church trouble that he is irritable and
unreasonable, even with mother and me. We can't very well be married
before spring, anyway; and long before then father'll be as cordial as
ever with you; and he and mother will be fully reconciled to your new
name, too. I'm your promised wife, and--and--I love you with all my
heart. Isn't that happiness enough for you for awhile?"

"But, dearest, I think your parents should be told at once that you are
my betrothed wife. I don't like any appearance of secrecy. I'm too
proud of my love for that."

"No," Betsy still urged, "I know father better than you do. Please be
guided by me in this, and say nothing to him for awhile."

"But I can not delay much longer to make public that my name is Logan,
and about my newly acquired property. There's business to be transacted
in regard to this Henderson County land; and your father must
inevitably soon hear of my name, from some one; and it would be better
from me than from an outsider."

However, Abner finally yielded to Betsy's pleadings, and agreed that
they should take no one into their confidence at present in regard to
their engagement; and that he should tell the Rogerses and James Drane
about his real name, and of the inheritance left him by the will of the
late Colonel Hite.

"And you mustn't even come to see me," said Betty. "In father's present
mood it would only irritate him to have you come. Besides, if you did
come, they'd be sure to find us out; for we couldn't act toward each
other just in the old, quiet, friendly way--at least, I couldn't
and--and--oh, I know it will be hard, this restraint, this secrecy; not
to see you, and not to let every one know that we are pledged to each
other. But for my sake, and because it is for the best, you will be
patient, won't you?"

"I will try; but Heaven send your father a speedy change of heart
toward your poor lover!" Abner fervently exclaimed as he kissed Betty
good-by.

CHAPTER XX.

THE LONE GRAVE IN THE MOUNTAINS

That same evening, Abner took Mr. and Mrs. Rogers into his confidence
concerning his name, and the business which had called him to Virginia.
The good couple were greatly excited, and they could not have been more
delighted had the inheritance fallen to one of their own children.

A few days later, Abner went to s