The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-10-05

~ HitCA Aihi'' S4ANADy, a4io lin, LILO
small brother, glanced up shrewdly
into his clean cut face.
"Mushy," he said shrewdly, "why
don't you marry her"
"You scamp" began Arthur.
Then he paused. Dick was only
twelve, but more than once the busy
little brain under the thatch of red
hair had helped the big brother
through a tight place.
'I wish I knew her, old chap" he
went on in different voice. 'I'm
not mushy, but-well, you know
how it is yourself. 1 can't very
well force myself on her, and when
we have no women folks to call on
her 1 don't see how we are going to
make it.
"They certainly are hard folks to
get next to-" admitted Dick.
"They've been here a month and
two days now, and even gabby Mrs.
Pitkin can't get in with them. I
guess there isn't any chance for US,
Art, Just the three of us men,"
Arthur smiled at the phrase Gus
men," But, after all, Dick was one
of the three who had been very
lonely in the big house since Mrs.
Lynwood had answered the call of
the great beyond. So, with an af-
fectionate pat on the back and a
brisk "Never mind, old fellow" Ar
thur watched Dick turn into the
school yard.
Dick swung around suddenly aft
er Arthur and tugged at his coat
sleeve. Don't worry until I see
what 1 can do for you," he COM
manded, then turned and sped back
as the last bell was ringing.
The promise cheered Arthur odd
ly. Dick was fertile in invention and
could be trusted to bring about
even this coveted acquaintance if it
could possibly be done.
The Shelbys had kept very much
to themselves since they had come
to 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 a
few weeks more, and the girl-Ar-
thur had discovered that her name
was Irma-had shared her mothers
seclusion.
Despite his confidence in Dick,
Arthur was rather surprised that
evening when Miss Shelby came
running out of the house as he
passed. Evidently she had been
watching for him, and Arthur paus-
ed uncertainty as she reached the
gate.
"You are Mr.. Lynwood?" she
said, with questioning infection.
"And you are Miss Shelby" he
returned. Il am at your service"
'It's about your brother - and
my BROTHER" she began in pretty
embarrassment. 'It seems that
YOUR brother made an entirely un-
provoked attack upon mine after
school this afternoon. Poor Robert
was badly treated. He is not ac-
customed to mixing with boys-and
he knows little about fighting. |
understand that your brother prom
ised him another thrashing tomor-
row."
II shall speak to Dick this even
ing" 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 a boy to shirk responsibilities.
He regarded Irma with mild amuse-
ment as Arthur repeated her state
ment.
"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 pretty boy, and Art amt that.
It's different being just good look
ing"
"Neyer mind that" ordered Ar
thur hastily. "That's no excuse for
you to hit him"
''That wasn't ALL" supplemented
Dick. "He called you a big stiff
and said that if you had any get up
and get about you you'd get 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 any
body was good enough for you, and
then l lammed him a good one, and
there was fight. 1t wasn't much
of , fobt tbouuh " he added. with