Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-14

you know hed DICK this night out Ot
 hundred"
 ''Let himr' said Bogus, disdainfully,
 and walking back toward the entry
 with the judge following at his heels.
 You kin git ready to dance now ef you want to, fellers," he continued,
 raising his voice so as to be heard
 over tho noise of the wind and tho
 rain. There were some half-hearted responses, and took Polly's arm as
 her father and his companions filed
 out into the entry and on up the stair way.
 '.Isn't this dreadtul,' ,''I whispered. "I couldn't think of dance'n at such a time" Polly started and looked at me with wide-open eyes.
 ''You have heard it, thenr' she al- most gasped.
 Il only knowed it certain this cven- un. But I've ben-''
 "I supposed Buck couldn't help tell ing you all about it. And l wanted this very chance to talk to you. Can't we get somewhere so as not to be bothered with other people all round us? Our rooms arc full of-of those men, of course. But we can get to the loom-house, may be, without getting wet. Did he-did Judge Barks go out with the restp Yes, I know he did. Come on, and we will-but this door is locked and the key gone! Who locked it?" She was in such furry of excitement that she ran here and there about the room in complete be- wilderment.
 Out in the entry could hear the voice of Judge Barks in loud and vehe- ment remonstrancc, and that of Bogus Leatherwood in an angry growl of de- liant reply.
 i've done all uvver agreed to do with you in this theng. Now, that's all I'm a go-un to do, too. You kin settle on that. An theys no use wastun any more words about ut You've gut Ter, haint yuh? I thought sue was all you wawnted? didn't know you wawnted the manage'n uv me, too! I don't n'tlownobody to do sAat, I'll let yuh know. :" was a part of the landlords fierce rejoindcr to some thing urged upon him by Judge Barks. l looked searchingly into Polly's face. She turned crimson, and her large eyes filled with sudden gush of tears
 ''You mustn't blame nue." she sobbed. seizing my arm and pressing it convulsively. 70 you mustn't blame a'ae. l couldn't help it. tried every thing. And you wasn't here to help me. Don't blame mo for it! Don't blame me fo: it!''
 had seen her in many a storm of self-exonerating contrition for some es- capade or other since our engagement. but never so rent and torn by her emo- tions as now.
 'I'm not blame'n you." said, hold ing her about tho waist. For really she seemed so distracted that thought there was danger in allowing her hands breadth away from me. '.Don't go on hathaway. Polly. They's some trouble outside, I know. But rou un your mother kin come right to ar house. l talked to father about ut, un he says come right along. You-''
 70 you don't know, then! You don't know! Have got to tell you all .all-all? Can't somebody else tell him! Can't somebody else tell him?"
 She was in such a frenzy now, so evidently beside herself, with her hands clasped over her heaving bosom and her black hair down over her face like vail, and every word coming as if it were torn from her with hooks of steel! The women crowded about her and carried her into corner where a large rocking chair had been pushed out of the way. There was a great rushing about and such incxtricable confusion that stood dazed. Even the loud and excited altercation going on in the closed and barred entry did not claim my attention until the stun hing report of a pistol, followed by an- other and then three or four together, eliminating in something like fusil- ade, startled me into instant action. ran into the wide entry, fully expect ng to sec Judge Barks or Bogus Leatherwood stretched upon the floor. There were three or four men at the barred entry door with their carbines n their hands. but no sign of any one being hurt. Upstairs I heard the voice in his usual growl giving continuous direction. Judge Barks walked back hastily.
 ''These women must go down into he cellar. Some nv um ull git hurt 1yah! Silkit, why don't you git um put uv the way, sahP"
 ''But what's the matter, judgeP Whats the firing aboutP" l ask, hur- wing back with him into the dining room.
 ''Some infuhnal fool offisus tryun to make some unlawful ahwests. tole am the men would all give themselves lp in the mawnun when I could see theyuh paypus. un see that the wawnts was issued in due fawm by the pwopah awthawties. An, suh! they made a bulge foh the douh. suh! But they 1idn't git in. suh! They didn't git in."
 And then there was such a friuhf-