The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-15
CHAPTER w.
Let4ie- May Dessst+ Weaves Web.
YoTTIE-MAY DoGGETT, her dark

ROTTIE-MAY DOGGETT, her dark
and eager face alight with ex-
citenent, had attended the po-
litical meeting which followed
the Strickland parade. Nearly all
Nineveh indeed, ordinarily SO quiet.
was in public evidence this night,
grateful for a little diversion.
The girl was a witness therefore to
the dire interruption of Colonel Tod
hunters speech and had also seen the
clash of the rival factions, headed by
Tom Strickland and Siam Tucker. Her
eyes shone with expectancy of per-
sonaI encounter between the two
young men.
lord, I'd like to see 'em c1inch!''
she exclaimed, pushing a bit forward
as she spoke. They'd make a good
fight, too, seein' as how there amt
been no love lost between. 'e1n for
some time. I bet they'll get at it!''
Her companion, a girl who envied
Lott1e-M May that partial acceptance by
Nineveh's good families which was
due to her grandfathers honorable
Confederate record, laughed a bit. sig
nif1cantly. at won't be your fault if
they don't fight some day, Lott1e-May
Doggett.'' she charged. 81 hear you've
been settin' your cap at both of 'em
in a mighty dangerous way
'I amt been dom nothin' OF the
sortr' Indignantly denied Lottie-May,
resentment in her face. "It amt my
fault if Siam Tucker sets up to me, is
it? And I reckon Tom Strickland's
got the same right, amt he? You
better mind your own business and
let my affairs alone"
'Land alfvel What a spit cat about
nothin'!' protested the other. E'But
Tom Strickland better leave Siam
Tucker alone. My brother says STAN
always carries pistol and is a dan
gerous man when his blood's up.'
Lottie-May's eyes flashed instant dis
dain. 'T reckon Tom Strickland can
take care of himself" she retorted hot
~. ''I wouldn't be afeared for him In
a difficulty with Siam Tucker
Her companion laughed triumphant
~. 'T caught you that time, Lottie-
MayP' she cried. SCI just wanted to see
which you liked the best, Siam or Tom.
And it's Tom, that's who it isI''
''You think you're smart, don't your"
countered Lottie-May, but blushing an
gr11y. 'fWell, you amt. Neither one
of 'em Is maxim me lay awake of
nights, L can tell you"
It'll be Tom does it, If anybody
does" calmly returned the other. "But
they amt a-goin' to clinch this time,
at any rate. Pete Fanshaw's just call
ed 'em down and put stop to their
foolishness-''
Lottie- May was still Tuning with re-
sentiment of this open bantering con-
corning Tom Strickland and STAIN
Tucker when she started homeward.
Not at all unwilling to accept the Sc
cret wooing of either, she intuitiveIy
shrank from the open coupling of their
names with hers The shadow of her
mothers shame oppressed her, ana it
was only in moments of sudden anger
or other excitement that she surren-
dered to mood OF reckless defiance of
her dark Inheritance.
Even now, however, it gave Lottie-
May a thrill of vainful triumph to re-
member that Siam Tucker was await
ing her somewhat farther along her
lonely homeward way through the
night and that he would accompany
her as near to her suspicious old grand
fathers house as she dared permit
But Tom Strickland himself interviewed
before her meeting with STAN Tucker
this night. He. too, was homeward
bound, encountering the girl at a Sc
/ cluded crossing of their respective
roads. Lottie-M Mays heart gave a great
leap as she recognized him in the dark
ness. A sudden impulse of passionate
enticement possessed her soul.
Goodness me. Tom Strickland she
cried. You skeered me most to death!
1 took you for one of them Black Bot
fonas men from the traDDin' camp