The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-04-11
he application Of which schoolboys

Eugene made the torture acute and
was apparently enjoying the work
when suddenly, without any manner
Of warning. he received an astounding
blow upon the left ear. which half
stunned him for the moment and sent
his hat flying and himself reeling. so
great was the surprise and shock Of it.
1t was not slap, not an open handed
push-nothing like it-but n fierce. well
delivered blow from q clinched fist
with the shoulder behind it. and 1t
was the girl who had given it.
Don't you dare to touch Joe" she
cried passionately. Don't you lay q
finger on him.
Furious and red. he staggered round
TO look at her.
You wretched little wildcat. what
do you mean by that?" he broke out.
Don't you touch Joe" she painted.
Don't YOU Her breath caught and
there WIS n break in her voice as she
faced him. She could not finish the
repetition Of that cry. Don't you
touch Joe!''
But there was no break in the spirit,
that passion OF protection which had
dealt the blow. Both boys looked at
her. somewhat aghaSt.
Eugene recovered himself. He swung
round upon his heel. restored his hat to
his head with precision, picked up his
stick and touched his banjo case with
1t.
Garry that into the house." he said
indfferently to his stepbrother.
Don't you do it, said the girl hotly
between her chattering teeth.
Eugene turned toward her. wearing
the sharp edge Of smile. Not re-
moving his eyes from her face. he pro-
duced with deliberation a fiat silver
box from a pocket. TOOK therefrom
cigarette. replaced the box. extracted
q smaller silver r.o1 from another pock-
ct. shook out o. 1t fusee, slowly lit
the cigarette-:his in a splendid ST.
lence. which ne finally broke to say
languidly. but with particular distinct
ness:
Ariel Tabor. 60 home"
The girls teeth stopped chatteri"S
her lips remaining parted; she shooi
the hair out Of her eyes and stared at
him as II she did not understand. but
Joe Louden. who had picked up the
banjo case obed!ently. burst into
cheerful laughter.
That's it. Gene" he cried gayly.
That's the way to talk to herr"
STOW it. you young cub" replied
Eugene. not turning to him. DO you
think I'm trying to be amusing"
Il don't know what you mean by
stow it," Joe began. "but IT,
~ .mean." interrupted the other, not
relaxing his family smiling stare at
the girl mean that Ariel Tabor Is
to GO home. Really we can't have this
kind Of thing occurring upon our front
lawn"
The flush upon her wet cheeks deep
ened and became dark. Even her arm
grew redder as she gazed back at him.
In his eyes was patent his complete
realization Of the figure she cut, OF this
bare arm. Of the strewn hair. OF the
fallen stocking. Of the ragged shoulder
of her blouse. Of her patched short
skirt Of the whole disheveled little fig
ure. He was the master Of the house.
and he was sending her home as Ill be-
Eaved children are sent home by
neighbors.
The immobile. amused superiority OF
this proprietor Of silver boxes. this
wearer Of strange and brilliant gar
ments. became slightly intensified as
he Dointed to the fallen sleeve. L rag
of red and snow. lying near her feet.
You might take that with you:" he
said interrogatively
Her gaze had not wavered In meet
ing his. hut ut this her eyelaShes be-
gan to wink uncontrollably. her chin
TO tremblc. She bent over the sleeve
and picked it up before Joe Lorden.
who had started toward her. could do
It for her. Then turning. her head still
bent so that her face was hidden from
both of them, she ran out OF the gate.
Ariel ran along the fence until she
came to the next gate. which opened
upon a walk leading to n shabby. me-
andering old house Of one story. wfh
very long. low porch. once painted
white. running the full length OF the
front. Ariel sprang upon the porch
and disappeared within the house.
Joe stood looking after her. his eye
lashes winkng as had hers. You
oushtn't to have treated her that way"
he said huskily.
Pick up that banjo case again and
come on" commanded Mr.. Bantry tart
". where's the mater"
Joe stared at him. "Where's whatT
The materw was the frownIng re-
ply.
"Oh, yes, l know said Joe, looking
at his stepbrother curiously. "Tve seen
q &usA 4