The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-11-17
a bill at the store and purchased


apprehended without a moments de-
lay.
1t was well done, that ridiculous
caricature upon the blackboard. The
logging administered to the reckless
and ambitious author of the sketch
was very we'll done, also-albeit
Anthony was one of the larger bows
and fighter.
HIS aspect. when Rosemary's final
hold relaxed, was not indicative alone
OF bruises and rent apparel. There
were more than suggestions of gore.
There was also tomb-like hush over
the entire school
Rosemary dismissed it in an awful
voice; glazing at the clock. Only
quarter past two of the afternoon,
but much had been crowded into fit,
teen minutes-sufficien to render the
rest OF the session an educational
farce. The teacher knew it. The
children knew it. They filed out
into the soft August day on tiptoe.
All but Tony. who stamped and swore
distance.
Alone, Rosemary glowered in hor-
ror at the representation on the
blackboard. The chalky eyes stared
back in mockery. Wilton and she
Wilton and she-in all the exagger-
alton OF their innocent efforts for a
mutual height. If the children SO
viewed them, what must their elders
think?
The girl sank her head on her tired
arms and sobbed. weeping bitterly and
long. That very afternoon he was
to call for her at the school The
drive they had planned. 1t was to
have been so happy.
With sudden determination Rose
mary sat up. She would wait At
four o'clock he would come. There,
with that hideous object lesson before
them, they must decide to so in sepa-
rate ways-he would see-oh, he
could not help seeing that it must
be best
A long agony, those crawling min
utes. while the purr of the drowsy
insect voices, floating from the fields,
brought painful visions of loved
hooks where they had sauntered hand
in hand.
His step at last. No, It was a
heavier tread-Ichabod Shillaber-the
neiShborhood terror, the father of
Tony. Mr.. Shillaber was exceeding
ly irate. and wOrse-in a state OF
savage stimulation. This condition
was habitual of late to Ichabod
There had been talk of confining him
recently, as a matter of precaution.
The drawing caught his attention
as he stumbled in He laughed
coarsely. Jest like yer!" came his
snarl. "Say. will ye lick my boy
nigh ter death fer a little thing like
that-say, will yer? Come here.
I'll pinch them claws of yourn fer
what We done. A-ah. We would. hey?"
Exhausted and wild with fear the
girl endeavored to dart under the out
stretched arms. The brute seized
her roughly and she screamed just
as shadow darkened the doorway.
1t was Mr.. Pepper in full regalia.
He paused one second to wrench at
his foot Another moment. with a
leap like hunting spider. he pounced
on the burly shoulders of the startled
Ichabod, and his arm flew up
Something very exciting was oc-
curing in the tiny schoolroom A
perfect rattle of clips and thuds from
a unique weapon cut and battered |
the head of Mr.. Shillaber, while he
vainly tried to shake off his adyer-
sary.
At last he sank down, groaning for
mercy. Mr. Pepper was not in a mer-
ciful mood. Posing himself on one
stockinged foot. he deliberately and
with violence kicked Ichabod square,
~ in the point of the jaw with a very
hard, pointed and well-polished boot
tip. Mr.. Shillaber lay still.
Mr.. Pepper picked up his tall hat.
It was a ruin. Then he put on his
shoe. Come, Rosemary" he said
coolly. I'll drag this rascal out and
ay him on the grass Then, if you're
ready we'll take our drive Scared
you, didn't he? Well, you're all right
now. Bless me. Who drew that
picture?"
Stepping to the board, he erased
he direful tracings with an angry
;cowl, kicked his dilapitated tile un-
Ter desk, grabbed the unconscious
chabOd by the collar and hauled him
outside with an amazing
display of strength.
My team is down by the corner"
lie announced. ''Ill have to drive
)areheaded. II guess | won't wear
nat style of hat any more, and I'm
sick of these shoes Come on"
But Rosemary stood still with her |