Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-05
THE VALIANTS OF VIRGINIA
HALLE ERMNIE RVES

young 'uns! Know who l am. dom
ye?"
"Greef King" Rickey's lips rather
formed than spoke the name.
Right An | know you, too. Got
les tn same look ez when ye wuzn'i
no hlgher'n my knee. So We amt al
tn Dome no mo-, eh2 Purkle an
fine Inning an a eddication. Hobo
Coin ter make We another ladyess
like the sweet ducky dovey that
rescooed We from tn lovin' embrace
O. yer fond step-parient, eh?"
Rickey's small arm went suddenly
out and her fingers tore at his shirt
band. Don't you," she burst in a
paroxysm of passion; don't you even
speak her name! If you do, I'll kill
you!"
So fierce was her leap that he fell
back a step in sheer surprise. Then
he laughed loudly. Why, .ye little
spittin' wile-cat!" he grinned.
He leaned suddenly, gripped her
wrist and covering her mouth tight
ly with his palm, dragged her behind
clump of dogwood bushes. A
heavy step was coming along
the wood-path. He held her mo-
tionless and GREATNESS in this
cruel grip till the pedestrian
|
spruce white hat on the back of his
head his unsullied waistcoat dappled
with the leaf-shadows. He stepped
out briskly toward Damory Court,
swinging his stick, all unconscious of
the fierce scrutiny bent on him from
behind the dogwoods.
Greet King did not withdraw his
hand till the steps had died in the
distance. When he did he clenched
his fist and shook il in the air. There
he goesi" he said with bitter hatred.
Yer noble friend that sent me up for
six years t break my heart on tn
rock pile! Oh, he's a top-notcher. he
is But he's got Greet King to reckon
with yiti" He looked at her balefully
and shook her
Look a-yere,' he said in a kissing
voice I'VE remember me. I'm a bad
one ter fool with. Yer NAV foun
that out, I reckon. Now yen promise
me yell tell nobody who we've seen.
I'm only tramp; dye hear" He
shook her roughly.
Rickey's fingers and teeth were
clenohed hard, and she said no word
He shook her again viciously, the
blood pouring into his SCARED face.
I'VE snivelin' brat. ye' he snarled.
"Tll show yer" He began to drag her
after him through the bushes. A few
yards and they were on the brink of
the headlong ugly chasm of Lovers
Leap. She cast one desperate look
about her and shut her eyes. Catch
ing her about the waist he leaned
over and held her in midair as if she
had been a kitten. I'VE amt see me,
hev yer? Promise, or over We go. Ye
won't look so pretty when yere layin'
down there on them rocksi"
The child's face was paper white.
and she had begdn to tremble like a
leaf. but her eyes remained closed
"One-two-" he counted DELHI
erately.
Her eyes opened. She turned one
shuddering glance below. then her
resolution broke. She clutched his
arm and broke into wild applications
81 PROMISE | promise!" she cried.
"Oh, don't let go l promised"
He set her on the solid ground and
released her, looking at her with a
sneering laugh. Now we'll see eff we
belong here or up ter Hell's Half
Acre" he said. Fine folks keep
their promises. I've heerd tell
Hickey looked at him moment,
shaking; then she burst into pas
sion of sobs and with her face averted
ran from him like deer through the
bushes.