The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05

That's the last of them" Flags knitted her brows dubiously, drawing 6gures on the table with her needle.
 No reg'lar work ?p she questioned. Bell shook her head.
 "IIl treat yer" said Flags, munif- gently, observing the girl looking specu- latively at the coins in her hand.
 Bell turned angrily upon her puny friend, as she shook back her heavy mane and rapped her little brass thimble on the table.
 '' ain't begger yet .' and the dark eyes flashed moment before they were suffused with tears. Then the proud head was lowered.
 ''Tain't charity i, are friendly feel ing I've took likin' to yer. Pm q wonner for seeing through folks. You're the respeciablest girl as has come into this house in many long day. Yer can treat me this day twelvemonth, if yer gets SC, up in line of business. Yer ain, one to si, down a-doin naught. There's ! bad times comes to all on us.' Then l I lags turned her face toward the back i kitchen. giving low whistle 10 at,rac. attention. ..l say. Mother Doc. what $ a-going tonight: No more of that cold ps for me. I'm in mind for something 1 special, and you may make me pay for Il. Bioatefs and bread and butter for twe, If it.s all the same to you
 The royal loiiiness of the order was apparently los; on Mrs. Doc.
 Better keep ,hem stray pence yourn agn l day as work $ slack. Flags. You're too ready io gAe feed to an idle tramp
 If the girl Bell heard that cnn,emptu- ous " tramp she 1id no; vince. Net she lad a hand on the arm of the needle woman wi.h q movement 10 impose silence. But she did not know Flags When did that nlmbIe tongue ever re- strain itself; The only answer she ever go; was large darning- stuck into ,he back of her hand, as though i, were pin-cushion. forolble hint 10 remove Il. The hgh,-brown eyes were cleaning savagely in their deep sockets. Flags lifted her small body ss high as possible, and fierce oath fell from her lips an oath directed towards Mrs. Doo
 '' shant come 10 you when 20 a. begging she screamed. You'd skin . rat If Il dIed ot scuryy.
 Mrs. Doc responded in kind, vocifer- ating curses with grea, ease. The gir called Bell shivered visibly.
 ou don't like our lingo,' sad Flags, with a eontempiuous laugh. = IL ain' | go; no special meaning with us ii kinder makes 'em understand better We've heerd |; rom the tune we was born Don't yer look skcery we don't make no scnmmase. Mrs. Doc and me. we likes 4 bii of a aW | keeps as lively Have yer never bee :: : lodging be- fore
 The girl hesitated, ard in the moment aTy silence steps were heard. She looked round. Al he door leaGing into the lane stood 2 couple of low browed ruff manly vagabonds, apparently riverside loafers. clad Tn Indeserlbable garments indicating satery pursuits They wore oilskln caps and huge boots, and en- elrcling the,r bloated faces voluminous neckerehIefs were apparent they were partly PToiee eiion. partly disguise, for these gentlemen were not partial to recognition outside their own circle. They slouched toward the fire, hands in pockets.
 ' Hullo. Flags. you jade, so you've go, pal. Faint every day we sees yer talk to wimmen. We're very par,ickler, ain, we. as 10 character?
 Flags stretched her thread 10 the ut most, and dahbed her large needle to- ward the man who spoke.
 " Oat of prison, Larry Lord save me, yer've had short bill this time for kick ing d woman. Dan1 O'Flaherty. I'll trouble yer to get ou, of my light, when wants eNtinguisher, II won, be you I'll ask for. Have ye ever heerd i, ain't manners 10 stare at lady: Whats amss with her .'
 The huge rufiiaa was bending over the strange girl with a leering smile of ap- proval. Bell had drawn herself against the wall in shrinking way, with both hands olasped together.
 My stars wha, a beauty~we've got here Mother Doo's in luck 10 ind such a lodger. All the single men in Linnet lane vii! come 10 supper for the pleasure of lookin a, yer, my dear. Whecr does yer hail from. T'other side Q the water I'll % bail. Ne don't grow 'em so gen ieel hereabouts.'
 The girl remained perfectly still, drawn as far from him as the angle Of the wall allowed. Flags watched and waited. feigning 10 be busy over her task of stitching. The man Daniel stretched out his red coarse hand, and essayed to touch the girls head. Probably i, was meant for d caress. At the near ar proach of the rough fingers. the tips of which had no fine touch. Dell stood up from the low stool. and looked with wild appeal toward the needlewoman Flags. instead Of looking m answer, took up her huge scissors, and snapped oti shred with noisy emphasis.
 Wha, . igger-head. . my eyes bla4lns like rocket. lips as red as cher fies, hai. IS black IS coals. Give us | kiss. my beauty. l ain', seen no gal 10 touch you since I've come out of auod "
 The long arms were stretched straigh, out toward her. Bell stopped and lifted the poker wi;h incredible swif,ness. bran- dishins l, above her head with desperate significance.
 1 hantel D'Iiaher,,. ,. ,l. =