Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-10-28
Concerning Marty

Mr.. Benson, with his legs stretched
possessively across the threshold OF
his modest home, sat smoking a re-
fective pipe.
Marty, his motherless young daugh-
| ter, was the sun around which his
particular world revolved, and as she
appeared and stood with her lovely
fower-like face tilted expectantly to-
ward him he watched her with Ill
concealed pride.
81 saw Ash Fuller to-day" he re-
marked tentatively.
THAT amt no news" said Marty,
scornfully. ut pears to me Ash Full.
ler can be seen most any time"
well, I reckon you won't be trou-
bled that way any longer. | gave him
his walking papers,
"Why, father what's Ash been do
ing?" Marty's voice expressed blank
dismay.
1T don't make no difference what
he's been doing. All you need know
is that he won't poster you no more"
"But, father, you always set such
store by Ash, and folks is folks, and
their feelings are just as easy hurt as
anybody's," demonstrated Marty, In
coherently.
"Oh, shucks. AS far as feelings go
I reckon Ash has ways and means OF
plasterlng up his'n."
"W-what do you mean?" STAN.
mered Marty.
You amt treating me fair" she
burst out, wrathfully. You've been
throwing Ash at me till | got dead
sick Of him, and now all of a sudden
you turn against him. You've got to
tell me why"
"Me and Ash had some words" Mr..
Benson spoke carefully. Il amt say.
ing what about; but he knows if he
dares come here agin it will be to
take a sQuint down the barrel OF my
shotgun. should think from the
way you've been turning up your
nose at him you'd be glad to get
shunt Of him"
She was completely bewildered by
her fathers sudden change of front,
and unconsciously sided with Ash. Al
though she had driven him almost
desperate, and treated his attention
with mischievous coquetry and snubs,
now that his devotions were forbid
den her they acquired hitherto un'
acknowledged value and had Ash but
known II, the little seed Of love he
had been smothering by over-atten-
ton sprang into vigorous life In Mar
tvs contrary little heart.
AS time passed on she realized this,
and 1t was with feeling Of absolute
thankfulness she received note from
Ash. some weeks later. asking her to
meet him In the nut grove.
She determined to defy her father
and see Ash once more. Yet, strange
to say, the minute Marty caught
sight OF his eager face watching for
her. all her old perverseness returned
and she drew back coyly as he sprang
forward and caught her lands in his.
Marty, you darling. l was afraid
you wouldn't GOMEZ" he cried, JOY.
ously.
Let me go, Ash Fuller" she
painted, breathlessly. I'll tell father
on you."
"You don't need to do no telling"
said an angry voice, and. with a
frightened start, Marty turned and
saw her father, shotgun in hand, glar.
ing at them.
Ash released Marty and faced her
father dehantly.
"Ain't / told you," spluttered Mr..
Benson, lifting his gun threateningly,
IF caught you hanging around my
daughter again I'd lay you out?'
| Don't care IL you did | love Mar.
ty, and I'd rather die than live with
out her.
| "All right, then" The grim deter
mination Of her fathers face threw
| Marty into q panic Of terror. She
spread her arms, with helpless lit
tie gesture of protection, across Ash,
lust as there was flash and sharp
report. When the smoke cleared
away, Mr. Benson and Ash looked at
each other over Martyrs yellow head,
lying motionless on Ash's breast.
81 reckon I've put on the finishing
touches" remarked Mr.. Benson, with
queer little catch in his voice.
1T seems cruel to give her such a
fright" said Ash. looking tenderly
down at Marty's white face.
"Oh, shucks! little scare won't
do her no harm. Some women need
blank cartridge fired at 'em to bring