The record-union., 1895-08-24

natural tnan tnat as they paced beside
the blossoming hedges. the couple should
walk arm in arm? They were proceed
ing very happily indeed, talking a great
deal Of nonsense; and giggling about
nothing at all, when stantOrian voice
on the other side of the hedge made them
start apart and look around.
Drop it," cried the voice. "Yo', Da-
vid Alcock! Drop ii!'
1t was Boggart Bob.
Drop what?" cried David, reddening
and squaring his shoulders.
Drop coortin' O my lass" roared Far
mer Leatherbarrow?
she's none of yo'r gurl," replied Da-
vid, speaking fine in honor of his su-
perlor companion. This young lady is
heepln' company with ME. Bob Leather
barrow. Jest yo' mind your own busi-
ness. if yo' please"
David" responded Bob, ''Pve had
my cen on yo' two-three weeks. Pve
gr en yo' warnin' afore, an now PHI gi' it
again. Yo' leave my wench alone. and
i've leave yo' alone. Coon, it's yo'r last
chance!'
Shall we walk on, Miss Lovelady?"
inquired Alcock, with a transparent as
sumption OF Indifference. II presume
we've no need to stand argufyin' with
him here"
Lets walk on by all means" said
Catty,, little pale but determined.
Good day to you, MIR. Leatherbarrow."
Good day to yo', Catty," said Bob,
with unexpected placidity. "Good day.
David. Dunnot hurry yo'sel'. mon, 1
con bide"
The young pair strolled on with dig
nifled gait, holding their heads high and
talking loudly of Indifferent matters.
but there was certain lack of animation
IN their conversation now, and they were
neither SO light-hearted nor so affection
ato before the encounter.
Ihey went home by another way, but
as they neared Lowton Farm they found
Leather barrow seated on a slile, which
commanded full view Of the premises,
aud ref1ectlyely chewing a straw. He
nodded as they passed.
"Dunnot hurry yo'sel, David. There's
plenty o. time"
II know he means to do you a mis-
chief" cried Catey breathlessly, as soon
as they were out of hearing.
III not afeard of him." retorted David
vallantly. lies great big bully, but L
reckon Pm pretty nigh as good a mon as
he.''
They were now close to the farm door,
anu Catty ran In, eager to procure her
fathers assistance in the event of Bob 8
Offering violence TO her admirer. But
Joe, lying outstretched in his easy chair
before the tire, was hard to rouse, and
even when ne was thoroughly awake it
was difficult to enlist his sympathy.
w hat art talking about, lass? What's
thou to do wiz Alcock? What brought
thee walking VII him, eh? An idle good
for nothing chap as | ever see. Sarve
him rect il Bob does thrash him.
"Oh, but he'll kill hIm!" sobbed Catty.
AN good job. tool" said her father
yawning. "Theer'll be one wastril out
OF the road as how tis."
A great shouting and scuffling without
made Catty shrek and run to the door,
followed by her mother, who came hur-
got out OF his chair and shuffied in his
stocking feet to the open air.
There was Boggart Bob dragging along
his rival by the collar, and pausing at in
tervals to shake MIN as a terrier might
shake q rat.
For shame" cried Catty furiously.
Hes not half your size. Bob Leather
barrow. You're a cowardr'
Leather barrow stood still.
"If he'd bin my size I'd ha' wellv
killed him." he observed; "but seein' as
he's sich a mesh little chap Pm lettin'
him ave it light for this once. COON on.
an we's get il over"
Poor David was hauled on. yainlv
kicking and struggling. to the duck pond
In tie midst of the yard, in the noxious
water OF which Bob ruthlessly plunged
him. Once, twice. three times. Then,
after a final shake. he dung him into the
middle
a little crowd had collected by this
time, and when David emerged. drip
ping. sputtering and covered from head
to foot with green odoriferous mud.
a shout arose OF mingled indignation and
amusement.
David Alcock, are yo' 'arkenin'?"
said Bob, wlplng his hands on his hand
kerchief. II tOwd yo' what to look fur
ifyo' meddled WI me. and if yo' meddle
again yo'll get war, an SOIL ony chap as
thinks to coort my Catty. L tell yo'
plain.'
"Pll ave the law on yo'." whimpered
David, who had been vainly endeayor-
ing to clear the mud from his face
What's thot yo' say?" cried Bob,
wheeling round. II tell y1 what, lad,
if yo' sauce me IN gi' yo' roll i tn
hidden. Well, Catly," he inquired,
turning pleasantly to the girl who stood
by, white and horror-stricken, "what
thinkin' yo' o. yo'r sweetheart now, eh?
He's mono so sweet, l doubt. And I'll
sarve ony other mon the same. and war.
Yo'd better taxi up VII me. Coon,
Catty," he went on tenderly, twill yo'
have me?"
! A perfect shout of laughter rose from
the bystanders. Even Farmer Loyelady
released his daughter from his restrain
ing grip that he might hold his shaking
sides.
Catty, stung by the general merriment
into sudden energy. struck out with all
her might at the hateful face as it ad-
vanced towards her, and caught it fair on
one swarthy cheek; then, pushing
through the now uproariOus crowd, she
fled into the house.
Bob clapped his hands to his tingling
visage.
My word" be cried very admiringly.
"Thot WAS gradely smack! Hoo's very
near the strength OF mon. Theer isn't
another wench in England could hit out
same's thot. Eh, Joe. yo' can be proud o.
yo'r lass. If I'd never fancy fur her
before Pd fancy her now"
With that he moved away slowly,
his hand still mediLatively stroking his
jaw. and a pleased smile on his lips. This
new revelation of Catty's character filled
him with wonderful rapture-to find her
with such spirit of her own was as un-
expected as delightful. The more his
cheek smarted the deeper he fell in love
with her.
Meanwhile poor Catty found herself
in the most humiliatlng and unpleasant
predicament in which girl of her class
and aspirations could be placed.
The young man with whom she felt
most disposed to make friends had been
very efficiently checked, and there was
scarcely any chance OF another gallant
being brave enough or foolish enough
to take his place.
She did, indeed, as last resource, try
the desperate expedient of flirting with
two youths at time, thinking there
would be safety in numbers, and latter
ing herself that she could secretly make
choice of either while apparently encour-
aging both; but Boggart Bob spared her
the anguish of indecision. The very first
Sunday that the lady's brace of admirers
escorted her home from church Bob way
laid them, knocked their heads together
till their ideas were good deal confused,
and then rolled them in the mud-not
only was it damaging to temper and self
rasnact to .cnnrtn Caitu I.nxeiadu: il u q g