realized that the moon was rising on Betty Malroy for the last
time.

She liked Charley; she needed some one to take care of her and
her belongings, and he needed her. It was best for them both
that she should marry him. True she might have gone back to
Judith Ferris; that would have been one solution of her
difficulties. Why hadn't she thought of doing this before? Of
course, Charley would have followed her East. Charley met the
ordinary duties and responsibilities of his position somewhat
recklessly; it was only where she was concerned that he became
patiently determined.

"I suppose the end would have been the same there as here,"
thought Betty.

A moment later she found herself wondering if Charley had told
Carrington yet; certainly the Kentuckian would not remain at
Thicket Point when he knew. She was sure she wished him to leave
not Thicket Point merely, but the neighborhood. She did not wish
to see him again--not see him again--not see him again - She
found herself repeating the words over and over; they shaped
themselves into a dreadful refrain. A nameless terror of the
future swept in upon her. She was cold and sick. It was as
though an icy hand was laid upon her heart. The words ran on in
endless repetition--not see him again--they held the very soul of
tragedy for her, yet she was roused to passionate protest. She
must not think of him, he was nothing to her. She was to be
married to another man, even now she was almost a wife--but
battle as she might the struggle went on.