The Irish standard., 1914-03-07

or less spoiled, as you'll find, I'm
afraid" She turned the conversation
bluntly. "Had you seen Damory
Court before?''
mo, never"
do you like the general plan Of the
place."
do like it," cried John Valiant.
do like it,"
A quick pleasure glanced across her
face. TITS nice of you to say it that
way. We ask that question SO often
it's become mechanical. You see, it's
our great show-place."
At that moment patter Of foot
steps and shrill shrieks came flying
over the last-year's leaves beyond the
lilac bushes. It's Hickey Snyder" she
said, peering out smilingly as two
children. pursued and pursuer, burst
into view. "Hush!" she whispered;
II wonder what they are up to-
The pair came in whirl through
the bushes. Yhe foremost was
seven.year-old negro girl, in a single
short cottonade garment, wizened.
barelegged and bareheaded, her black
wool parted in little angular patches
and tightly wrapped with bits of cord.
The other was white and as freckled
as turkeys egg, with hair cropped
like a boys. She held carving.
knife cut from a shingle, whose edge
had been deeply ensanguined by poke,
berry juice. The pursued one STUN.
bled over a root and came to earth in
heap, while the other pounced upon
her like a wildcat.
Hold still, you limb of Satan." she
scolded. "How can l do it when you
won't stay still?"
"Oh. lawd," moaned the PROSTATE
one. in simulated terror: "oh, Doctah,
good Doctah Snydah, has All gotter
hab dat operation? Is yo' sho' gwine-
ter, twitter aroun' nah insides wild
dem knives en- saws en- things?"
1T won't hurt" treasured the would.
be operator; mo more than it did Mis-
Poly Clifford. And I'll put your liver
right back again."
wait er minute. All jes' remem-
bahs All fo'got ter make nah will. All
leabs-"
"Nonsense!" objected the other irri.
tably. You made it yesterday. They
always do it beforehand"
mo, sub; All done clean fergot 81.
All leabs nah thimble ter de Mefodis'
church, en- nah black en- wife kitten
ter Hickey Snyder, en-
A twig snapped under Valiant's foot.
Both scrambled to their feet, the black
girl to look at them with wide self
conscious grin. Hickey, tossing her
short hair back from her freckled
face, came toward them.
MY goodness. Miss Shirley" she
said. I'VE didn't see you at ALL" She
looked at Valiant Are you the man
that's going to fix up Damory Court p
she inquired, without any tedious for
malities.
"Yes," said Valiant.
WELL" she said critically, you've
got your job cut out for you. But
should say you're the kind to do It,"
"Rickey!" shirley's voice tried to
be stern, but there was a hint OF
laughter in it.
What did I say now?" inquired
Hickey. I'm sure meant it to be
complimentary"
1T was" said Valiant. II shall try
to deserve your good opinion"
But what CHASTITY playl" ex-
claimed Shirley. Where did you
learn it,"
I'VE were playing Mis- Poly Clifford
In the hospital" Hickey answered.
"she's got whole lot Of little peb-
'bles what they cut out"
"Oh, Rickey!" expostulated Shirley
with a shudder.
They did. She keeps them in q
little pasteboard box like wedding cake
with blue ribbon around 1t. She was
showing it to Miss Matte Sue yester.
day. She was telling her all about it.
She said all the women there showed
each other their cuts and Dragged
about how long they were"
you certainly have highly devel
oped taste for the dramatic" said
Shirley. II wonder what your next
effort will be-
TITS tomorrow" Hickey informed
her. We're going to have the duel
between Valiant and sassoon."
The smile was stricken from John
Valiant's face. A duel-the duel-be-
tween Valiant and sassoonl He felt
his blood beat quickly. Had there
been such thing in his fathers ufel
Was that what had blighted IT.
Only not here where 1t really hap
pened, but in the Meredith orchard.
Greenie's going to be-"
"Ah ain'!" contradicted Greenia
"Ah ain gwineter be dat Valiant. no.
howl"
you are, tool" insisted Hickey
wrathfully. "You needn't be 80 pickety
and choosety-and after she kills Sas
soon, we put the bloodhounds on her
trail"
Greenie Uttered. "Dey aim no daws
aroun' heah'd tech me-" she said. zen
sides"
"But, Hickey" Shirley interposed.
fthat wasn't a murder. That was a
duel between gentlemen. They don't
Il know It," assented Hickey cheer
fully. But it makes it more exciting.
Will you come. Miss Shirley, deed and
double? won't charge you any ad.
mission"
Il can't PROMISE" said Shirley. by
the way, isn't 1t about time Miss Mat
tie Sue had her tea?"
aft corfofn1v ia Mica Qh}rIovSW uald