The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-05-23


met Cory again. They amt after him.
but he may not know 1t. They haven't
heard of the trouble. reckon. or
they'd of run Cory in. He's around
town today. drinkin' heavy, and |
guess he's lookin' fer Mr.. Fear about
as hard as Mr.. Louden is" She rose
to her feet. lifted her coarse hands and
dropped them deSparingly. "Oh. I'm
scared" she said. Mr.. Fears ben
mighty good to me"
\ slow and tired footstep was heard
upoa the stairs. and Joe's dog ran into
the room droopingly. wagged his tail
with no energy and crept under the
desk. Mrs Fear wheeled towfsd the
door and stooL. rigid. her hands c.Ich-
ed tight. her whole body still ezcCst
her lreast. which rose and fell With
her tumu,tuouS breathing. She could
not wait til the la==ard ste? reached
the landing.
MIR. Loudon," size called suddenly
Joe's voice came from the stairway.
IT'S al right. Clludiae. Its all fixed
up. Don't worry"
Mrs. Fear -:vc i thick cry Of relief
and saaS o.C.i II her chair Us Joe en
tered the room. He came IN sham
blingly. with his hand over his eyes
as if they we're very tired and the
light hurt them. 50 that for moment
or two lie did not perceive the second
visitor. Then lie let his hand fall, re
veaing face Whit and Worn.
Its all right. Claudine." he repeated.
Its all right"
He was moving to lay his hat on the
desk when his eye caught first the
roses. then fell upon Ariel. and ne stop
ped stock st.l! with one arm out
stretched. remaining for perhaps ten
seconds in that attitude. while she. her
lips parted, her eyes lustrous. returned
his gaze with look that was as in
scrutable as it was kind.
Yes" she said. as if in answer to n
question. Il have come here twice to-
day." She nodded slightly toward Mrs.
Fear. Il can wait. am very glad
you bring good news"
Joe turned dazedly toward the other.
"Claudine." he said. you've been tell
ing Miss Tabor"
II certnly havew Mrs. Fears ex-
preston had cleared, and her tone was
cheerful. Il don't see no harm in
that. I'm sure she's good friend OF
yours, Mr.. Louden.'
Joe glanced at Ariel with q faint,
troubled smile and turned again to
Mrs. Fear. "I've had long talk with
Happy"
"Tm awful glad. Is he ready to lis
ten to reason:" she asked with litter.
Hes waiting for you"
"WhereT She rose quickly.
STOP" said Joe sharply. You must
be very careful with him
Don't you s'pose I'm goin' to be'
she interrupted. with catch In her
voice. Don't you s'pose I've had
trouble enough?"
NO." said Joe deliberately and im-
personally, Il don't. Unless you keep
remembering to be careful all the
time you'll follow tie first impulse
you have, as you did yesterday. and
your excuse will be that you never
thought any harm would come OF 1t.
He's in a queer mood, but he will for
give you IL you ask him
"Well. ain't that what ! want 10
do?" she exclaimed.
81 know, l know" he said, dropping
into the desk chair and passing his
hand over his eyes with q gesture Of
infinite WEAKNESS. But you must he
very careful. | hunted for him most
of the night and all day. He was try
ing to keep out Of my way because lie
didn't want me to find him until he
had met this fellow Nashville. Happy
is q hard man to come at WHEN he
doesn't care to be found, and he kept
shifting from place to place until ]
ran him down. Then l got him In q
corner and told him that you hadn't
meant any barm-which Is always
true Of you, poor woman-and ! didn't
leave him till he had promised me to
forgive you II you would come and
ask him. And you must keep him out
Of Cory's way until l can arrange tt
! have him-Cory. mean-sent out OF
! town. Will you?"
why. cert'nly." she answered
smiling. THAT Nashville's the vurry
last person l ever want to see again
the fresh thing" Mrs. Fears burden
had fallen: her relief was perfect. and
she beamed vapidly. But Joe marked
her renewed irresponsibility with an
anxious eye.
! "You mustn't make any mistakes.
he said. rising stiffiy with fatigue.
mot me- l don't take no more
chances" she responded. tittering hap,
PLY; mot after yesterday. My. but
it's a load OF my shoulders! do hate
1t to have gentlemen quarrellng over
me. especially Mr.. Fear. ! never did
like to start anything. ! like to see
people laugh and be friendly. and I'm
mighty glad it's all blown over. !
kind O. thought 1t would all along.