The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-02-10
this coveted acquaintance If It could
raCCihlxy ho dnno

town. Inquiring busybodies had been
told by the maid that Mrs. Shelby was
too i'll to receive callers as yet.
She begged to be excused for few
weeks more, and the girl-Arthur had
discovered that her name was Irma-
had shared her mothers seclusion.
Despite his confidence in Dick, Ar
thur was rather surprised that even
ing when Miss Shelby came running
out Of the house as he passed. Evi-
IDENTITY she had been watching for him,
and Arthur paused uncertainty as she
reached the gate.
"You are Mr. Lynwood?" she said.
with questioning infection.
"And you are Miss Shelby?" he re-
turned II am at your service"
"Its about your brother = and my
brother" she began in pretty embar-
rassment. ut seems that your brother
made an entirely unprovoked attack
upon mine after school this afternoon.
Poor Robert was badly treated. He
is not accustomed to mixing with boys
and he knows little about fighting.
understand that your brother promised
him another thrashing tomorrow"
II shall speak to Dick this evening""
promised Arthur. but just as he gave
the assurance Dick came tearing out
Of the Lynwood house, and Arthur
called him across the street.
He came promptly, for Dick was not
boy to shirk responsibilities. He re-
garded 1rma with mild amusement as
Arthur repeated her statement.
HE started it." insisted Dick stoutly.
II guess no fellows going to hear his
brother called names. Your brother
said mine was a dude and a prett.
boy, and Art amt that. It's different
being just good. looking"
"Never mind that" ordered Arthur
hastily. "Ihat is no excuse for you to
hit him.
THAT wasn't ALL" supplemented
Dick. HE called you big stiff and
said that if you had any get up and
get about you you'd set married and
give me another mother to keep me
from being lonely. and l told him that
there wasn't anybody good enough for
you. and he said anybody was good
enough for you. ard then l damned
him good one. and there was 4 fight
1t wasn't much Of fight. tho1gh. ne
added, with contempt. Il had to chase
him four blocks to get in one punch"
DO you understand that you will be
thrashei if you lay hands on young
Shelby again. demanded Arthur seri
ously.
"Ill lick him If be talks about YOU
declared Dick truculently. He then
proceeded to address his remarks tC
Miss Shelby.
ARTS just the best ever" be eX
planned. Ever since mother died he's
done everything for me, and | amt go
ing to have any boy call him names
and say that any girl is good enough
for him to marry. When he marrieS
want him to marry top notcher like
you"
The girls face went crimson at the
praise and its suggestion, but she
smiled into the freckled face before
she turned to Arthur.
Il shall see that Robert is punished
if he repeats his offense," she prom
ised. land l don't blame such a loya
little hero worshiper for defending his
big brother. l don't blame him one
Bit" she added, coloring again as she
let her eyes rest for an instant on the
grave, handsome face. 81 shall be glaG
to see you should you care to be neigh
borly, Mr.. Lynwood. Mother is i'm
proving, but she wishes to be stronger
before she faces the influx of the kind
ly and the curious"
Il shall be glad to run in this even
ing if may" was the quick response
and Arthur was too eager for an an
swer to observe the elaborate wink
with which Dick favored him.
The girl gave assent promptly, and
the big and the little brother bowed
II got something to do" he ex
planned reproachfully. "You were late
this evening. You always come home
about 81
"A client came in at the last mo.
ment," explained Arthur. "Were you
waiting to see me?"
"Only about an hour" answered
Dick. 81 figured she would lay for you
at the gate, and l wanted to finish off
the job. I'll be home In about an hour,
Art"
He dashed of down the street and
by a circuitous route reached the rear
OF the Shelby house, where the plump
and somewhat cherubic Robert was
playing by himself.
He started to run when Dick ap-
peared on the scene, but the more
active lad had his victim pinioned by
the arms, while one mittened hand
was clapped over the squirming ones
mouth
Il amt going to hurt you-now,''
promised Dick 81 just want to talk
to you. You told your sister that /
punched you for nothing. didn't you r.