The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-06-13

gone your own way alone, with the
town against you because you got a
bad name as boy. and once we'd
given you that, everything you did or
didn't do we had to give you blacker
one. Now it's time some one stood by
YOU. Airie Tabor IL do that with all
her soul and body. She told me once
I thought good deal Of you. She
knew. But I want these three old
friends Of mine to do 1t too. I was
boys with them. and they'll do 1t,
think. They've even stood up fer you
against me sometimes. but mostly fer
the sake Of the argument. | reckon,
but now they must do it when there's
more to stand against than just my
talk. They saw 1t all today-the mean
est thing l ever knew! l could OF
stood it all except that" Before they
could prevent him he had struggled
half upright In bed. lifting clinched
fist at the town beyond the windows.
"But, by God, when they got so low
down they tried to kill your dog
He fell back, choking, in Joe's arms,
and the physician bent over him. but
Eskew was not gone, and Ariel. upon
the other side Of the room, could hear
him whispering again for the restora-
tive. She brought it. and when he had
taken it went quickly out of doors to
the side yard.
She sat upon a workman's bench un-
der the big trees, hidden from the
street shrubbery, and, breathing deep
ly Of the shaded air, began to cry quiet
ly. Through the windows came the
duavering voice Of the old man. lifted
again. insistent, little querulous, but
determined. Responses sounded inter
mittently from the colonel, from Peter
and from Buckalew. and now and then
a sorrOwful, yet almost humorous pro-
test from Joe: and so she made out
that the veteran swore his three COM
rades to friendship with Joseph Lou
den, to lend b. m their countenance in
all matters, to stand by him in veal
and woe. to speak only good Of him
and defend him in the town Of Canaan.
Thus did Eskew Arp on the verge Of
parting this life render justice.
The gate clicked, and Ariel saw Eu-
gene approaching through the shrub
berry. One of his hands was bandaged,
a thin strip Of courtplaster crossed his
forehead from his left eyebrow to his
hair and his thin and agitated face
showed several light scratches.
Il saw you come out" he said. "I've
been waiting to speak to you"
"The doctor told us to let him have
his way in whatever he might ask"
Ariel wiped her eyes. I'm afraid that
means
Il didn't come to talk about Eskew
Arp" interrupted Eugene. I'm not
laboring under any anxiety about him.
You needn't be afraid; he's too sour to
accept his congo so readily"
please lower your voice." she said.
rising quickly and moving away from
him toward the house; but, as he fol-
lowed, insisting sharply that be must
speak with her, she walked out Of ear
shot of the windows and. stopping,
turned toward him. Every WELL" she
said. "Is 1t message from Mamie?'
At this he faltered and hung fire.
"Have you been to see her" she
continued. Il am anxious to know II
her goodness and bravery caused her
sny-any discomfort at home"
you may set your mind at rest about
that" returned Eugene II was there
when the Judge came home to dinner.
I suppose you fear he may have been
rough with her for taking my step
brother into the carriage. He was not
On the contrary. he spoke very quietly
to her and went on out toward the sta
bles. But l haven't come to you to
talk of Judge Pike either"
NO" said Ariel; Il don't care par
ticularly to hear Of him. but Of Ma
nie."
"Nor of her either" he broke out. II
want to talk Of ysu"'
There was no mistaking him, no
possibility Of misunderstanding the
real passion that shook him. and her
startled eyes betrayed her comprehen-
sion.
"Yes, see you understand" he cried
bitterly. That's because you've seen
others the same way. God help me"
be went on. striking his forehead with
his open hand, "that young fool Of q
Bradbury told me you refused him
only yesterday! He was proud Of even
rejection from you! And there's Nor
bert and half a dozen others. perhaps.
already since you've been here" He
flung out his arms in ludicrous, savage
despair. "And here nm r.
"Ah, yes" she cut him of. ut is OF
yourself that you want'to speak after
all, not of me"
Look here" he vociferated. "Are
you going to marry that Joe Louden
I want to know whether you are or
not. He gave me this and this today"
He touched his bandaged hand and
plastered forehead. He ran into me
orar p,a for nothing when I was not