The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-05-16
By BOOTH HARRINGTON,

/ llumOVdUly upOu aIiei pIonic. Cu'
gene, also apparently determined not
to move, sat throughout the afternoon
at her left, but as he was thin others
who came and went were able to ap-
proach upon that side and hold speech
with her.
The conversation Of the gallants con-
sisted for the greater part Of With
cisms at one another's expense, which,
though evoked for Ariels benefit tall
eyes furtively reverting to her as each
shaft was loosedD, she found more or
less enigmatical. The young men, how.
ever, laughed at each other loudly and
seemed content II now and then she
smiled. You must be frightfully en-
uuied with all this" Eugene said to
her. ''You see how provincial we still
are"
She did not answer. She had not
heard him. The shadows were stretch.
ing themselves over the grass long and
attenuated. The sunlight upon the trees
and houses was like a thin, rosy pig.
ment, blackbirds were calling each 9th.
er home to beech and elm, and Ariers
eyes were fixed upon the western dis.
lance Of the street where gold dust was
beginning to quiver in the air. She did
not hear Eugene, but she started
moment later when the name Joe Lou"
den was pronounced by young man,
the poetic Bradbury, on the step below
Eugene. Some one Immediately said,
"Shr' But she leaned over and ad-
dressed Mr.. Bradbury, who, shut out,
not only from the group about her, but
from the other centering upon Miss
Pike as we'll, was holding private
conversation with friend in like mis-
fortune.
What were you saying Of Mr.. Lou
den3" she asked, smiling down upon
the young man. Qt was this smile
which inspired his description Of her
ag "a revelation and dreamy
"Oh, nothing particular. was his en-
barrassed reply. II only mentioned I'd
beard there was some talk among
tie He paused awkwardly, remem-
bering that Ariel had walked with
Joseph Louden In the face Of Canaan
that very day. THAT Is. mean to say,
there's some talk Of his running for
mayor"
"What?"
There was q general exclamation,
followed BY an uncomfortable moment
or two Of silence. No one present was
unaware Of that noon walk, though
there was prevalent q pleasing notion
that 1t would not happen again, found
ell on the idea that Ariel, having only
arrived the previous evening, had prob
ably met Joe on the street by accident
and, remembering him as playmate
Of her childhood and uninformed as to
his reputation. had, naturally enough.
permitted him to walk home with her.
Mr.. Flitcroft broke the silence. rush.
ing into words with a derisive laugh:
Eyes. he's talked Of for mayor-by
the saloon people and the niggers! |
expect the Beaver Beach crowd would
be for him, and II tramps could vote
be might
What is Beaver Beach," asked Ariel
not turning.
What is Beaver Beachw he repeat
ed and cast bis eyes to the sky, shak.
ing his head awesomely. ITS place"
be said, with abysmal solemnity-"a
place / shouldn't have mentioned in
your presence, Miss Tabor"
What has 1t to do with Mr.. Lou
den"
The predestined Norbert conceived
the present to be heaven sent oppor-
tunity to enlighten her concerning Joe's
character, since the Pixies appeared to
have been derelct in the performance
Of this Kindness.
HE goe, therew be proceeded heav-
fly. HE lived there for awhile when
he first came back from running away,
and he's a friend of Mike Sheehan's
that runs II. He's friend Of all the
riffraff that hang around there"
How dc you know he goes there"
why, it was ir the paper the day
after he came back" He appealed for
corroboration. Wasn't it. EugeneT
mo, no." she persisted. "Newspa-
pers are sometimes mistaken, aren't
they? Have you ever met any one
who has seen him there?'
"I've seen him there myself! The
words skipped out Of Norberts mouth
like so many .;t.le devils the instant
he opened t. She had spoken so quick