Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-22
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ran to June and put her arms arount
her.
He stepped before them and blocked
their way. Then he pointed a stubby
gray-smirched forefinger at June's
lightly clasped hands.
Not 10 quick!" he repeated sharp
ly. I've got your pedigree, and til
a peach"
Cold fear crept into June's heart
She made a spasmodic attempt to hide
her hands behind her back. San
laughed triumphantly.
who would "a thought it," ht
purred at her. Miss June Travis
prison worker, saver Of souls, a little
angel of the cells-a crook-daughtel
of Circle Jim,' the slickest thing
ever chummed with"
Come to the house with mel" Mary
implored %piteously.
Didn't l tell you not so quick, ole
lady? She amt going to the house
with you and leave me cold. Get me?'
he snarled.
What do you want?" asked June
looking straight into his vicious little
eyes.
"Oh, going to be nasty about it
Ell? Well, now look here, you-cut
it. They're after me. And Circle
Jim's' daughter will get m food and
protection, or I'll squeal good and
plenty and trade her secret to the pc
lice, see?"
June shrank into Mary's arms-all
her bravado gone.
"Oh, maybe ma would like to know
the glad news!" he sneered. well
here goes"
"Stop!" June caught at his dirty
wrinkled coat sleeve. Hide! Hide
quickly, before they see you! To
night I'll leave a basket of food fol-
you at the corner Of our garage-you
know the place! Now. hide!"
Sam cast a last threatening look Al
the two figures in the distance, then
lodged deity behind a convenient
bowlder.
June swayed toward Mary.
"Your mother is coming, lamb" she
warned. "She mustn't know-she
mustn't suspect: Pull yourself togeth
er. And keep your hand hidden"
June nodded YEARLY.
II WILL" she said. She won't know
I won't let her know"
Have you found any trace Of it?'
Mrs. Travis called to her, a minute
later.
""Not a trace. Mary and I have
looked all over this part of the beach
Once inside her room June and Mary
dropped pretense.
"You ought to hate me, DEAR June
said at last. Your life Is a misery
to you now. But you must know that
I wouldn't cause you sorrow or worry
If l could help it-don't you know It
Mary? When these spells come on,
+"
There, there!" interrupted the old
| woman, drawing her into the circle OF
her arms. Hate you? l love you bet
ter than anything in this wide world
And I'm going to stay by and shield
| you as long as there's life in me. Now,
we won't say any more about that
ever. What we've got to think Of now
Is this latest danger. We have to get
away from Surfton, dear-right away.
Tell your mother you want to go back
to the CITY,"
II don't think it will work, but I'll
try" she said meekly.
Her courage etbed wen further
when she entered the library a mo-
ment later and saw the expression of
impotence on her mothers usually
smooth brow. Evidently the irrita'
ton of the stolen lunch had not worn
off.
June went up to her chair and put
| her arms over her mothers shoulders.
Mrs. Travis looked up. The touch
was not that of impetuous June at
| all. It was unnaturally meek and gen.
tie. A look at the wan face alarmed
her.
What is it-what Is 1t, darling?"
she asked hurriedly. do you feel
ill?"
June nodded.
YES" she said, shuddering slightly
as the thought of Smiling Sam came
back to her. Il feel i'll. Mother, ]
want to go home-to the city, mean
I want to go tonight, mother"
June had worked herself up to the
verge of nervous hysteria. Mrs
Travis saw, with alarm, that she was
under some great mental strain.
But I think you will get well sc
much more quickly down here, dear
Her determination was weakening
June felt 1t. It gave her new cour
age.
so many queer things have hap
pened since we've been here" MARY
put in quickly. "The child's nerves
have been upset for several days. She
didn't want to worry you, so she hasn'
said anything about It. But I've
known, and 1t has scared me-"
do you think it's as good for hel
in the city as it is here?" Mrs. Travis
asked. in surprise.