The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-11-21
IN The COVE
BY MARTHA M. WILLIAMS.

Observation-Disclosures sssssssssesess8
Half the cove had criticized Jess for
going to the schoOl-the other half had
been too stolid even for scorn. Learn
ing was a name, nothing more-fit for
preachers perhaps, but for real folk a
waste and a WEAKNESS. So, indeed,
she had found the book part-but do
ing things had been pure delight.
Dad and Buddy had expected Jess
to come home high and full of airs.
At first they had been almost sullen
But certain improvements in fare, in
general comfort, conjoined to her COM
radely alertness, had worked on her
side. Nam had died suddenly-of
course it was right that Jess should
care for her menkind. Dad and Buddy
could not help but be proud Of her.
This even before they saw her in
party array. There had been no
thought of mourning-Mam had not
believed in ito the scandal Of the
neighbOrs. "Black's for buryin'-let
the livin' wear rejoicin' Clothes" she
had said. Jess wore them, beautifully.
Her soft, dull red wooden frock with
its creamy lace frills became her mar
velously. Even without the help of it,
she was the handsOmest girl in the
room. Buddy said so to himself, his
eyes the while ranging the throng,
which stared ut her as barnyard fowls
might stare at Il paroquet suddenly
strayed among them.
One did more than stare-yOung
BOyce from over at LumbertOn, strang-
er to the Cove, even to the mountains.
Heretofore he had watched others
play on plea Of ignorance. Now, as
Jess was seized and led out in the
classic game of snap he thrust himself
eagerly forward, hoping also to be
snapped in. The game makes man
and maid stand facing, holding hands,
thus forming ''the stump" around
which another man and maid chase or
flee from each other. Caught, the cap
tive becomes part of the stump, there
by making the game highly fluid. 1t
was the victor's privilege, after plac-
ing the captive properly, to snap thumb
and finger Mt the next choice, always
swapping somebody Of the opposite sex.
Jess started to walk, but Boyce
snapped her masterfully-and led her
a chase, indeed, before she laid hands
on him. "I'll never run from you in
anything else," he whispered, his lips
almost at her ear. Buddy noted it
with darking eyes. He was jealousy
careful Of his sister-Boyce had the
name in Lumberton of being free with
the girls. That shouldn't happen to
Jess. Buddy watched hawklike the
progress of the game. Boyce held
Magpie's hands tight enough, but had
eyes only for Jess; darting and circling
about him, Guiding nimbly the pursuit
Of Dan Dlnny. Magpie's bachelor
cousin, who was so slow and bashful
he rarely came to party. Catching
Jess at last, he gave her a resounding
smack, saying with grin: II knowed
We wanted 1t when We fetched me out
we're. All the gals does-seein' they
can't git kissed no otherways."
"You'll take that back, my friend"
Boyce said through set teeth. Dan
grinned sheepishly. "Meanin' the bus?
l don't keer, and she's willin'."
Next minute Dan lay fiat on his
back, seeing stars evoked by the i'm
pact of q scientific fist on the point Of
his jaw. At the same second Boyce
was in the grip Of giant, Buddy roar
ing out hoarsely: Understand, I'm
the fighter fer our family. You come
outside and let's settle things"
AS they moved to the door Dan got
up heavily, hate distorting his face.
With whoop he was after them
brandishing the knife he had whipped
out Of some hiding place-a murderOus
blade whose handle already bore two
notches. No man moved to check him.
Jess had been sure she hated BOyce,
but there was no time for thought.
She saw her brother and Boyce locked
in a wrestler's hug. Oblivious of all
else, they strained and heaved. Dan
was lurching toward them, knife high, !
gurgling rather than speaking: "Bud-
dy le' go! Lee 60! Lemme send TINT
carrion whar hit belongs-ter the buzz ,
cards."
The wrestlers did not hear, or, hear
ing, did not heed. Buddy had twice
lifted Boyce clear, intending to throw
him fiat. Twice he had been baked
by q catlike twist as he made to re-
lease his adversary. Now Boyce had
got u strangle hold and was using it
cruelty, blood drummings in his ears
shutting out Dams threats. He was
lost unless he heard. Jess darted to-
ward him. Dan thrust out huge foot,
tripping her deftly.. But like a flash
she was up-had thrown herself pro-
tectingly in front of Boyce and thus
caught in her own white shoulder the
thrust Dan aimed for BOyce's throat.
Silence fell like pail over the bab-
BILE. Boyce caught Jess as she was
falling, laid her down and stanched as
best he might the yelling blood. At
ter a look ut it Buddy laid hold on