The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-16

or file from each other. Caught, the
captive becomes part Of the stump,
thereby making the game highlyfuid.
Belleship was reckoned by snapouts,
notwithstanding which fact even the
plainest got at least one chance on
the door. It was the vlctor's priv.
lege, after placing the captive proper
~, to snap thumb and finger at the
next choice, always swapping some
body Of the opposite sex
wild Maybe Dinny duly snapped
young Boice. Though she was nimb-
le as a weasel he caught her in five
rounds, but torebore TO kiss her, as
he might under the rules Of the game
She got white with anger over the
omission, but locked steely fingers
With her laughing partner. Jess, re-
leased, started to wink, but Boyce
snapped her masterfully led her
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 1t
with darkling eyes. He was Jealous
ly 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
Magpte's hands tight enough, but had
eyes only for Jess, dartilg and cir
cling about him, eluding nimbly the
pursuit Of Dan Dinny, Magpie's bach.
elor cousin who was to slow and bash
full he rarely came to party.
Still he played the game-and for
all It was worth. Catching Jess at
last, he gave her a resoundng smack,
saying with a grin: 81 knowed ye
wanted 1t when ye fotched me out
yere. All the gals does-seein' they
CANT git kissed no otherways."
you'll take that back, my friend"
Boyce said through set teeth. Dan
grinned sheepishly. "Meanin' the bus?
don't keer. and she's willin'," he
said, nodding toward Jess, who stood
scarlet and angry.
Next minute Dan lay fat on his
back, seeing stars evoked by the i'm
pact of a scientific fist on the point
Of his jaw. At the same second Boy
ce was in the grip Of giant, Buddy
roaring 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 o whoop he was after them,
brandishing the knife he had whip
ped out of some Kidding place-a muir
derous blade whose handle already
bore two notches. No man moved to-
check him. He had, to their minds,
fair and full cause of quarrel, Boyce,
a rank outsider, had chosen cause
lessly to resent an old familiar priv
iIege of their sport. He deserved to-
pay the penalty of his rashness. All
they would do was to see he had fair
play.
Jess knew what was in their minds.
Her own was suddenly illuminated.
She had been sure she hated Boyce,
but there was no time for 'thoughtH
Outside climbing full moon gave
clear light, weirdly supplemented BY
leaping flames Of smolders Of the cook
ing logs a little beyond. Thus she
saw her brother and Boyce locked in
a wrestler's hug. Mt uneq4lly mat
ched, since for Buddy's brute streng-
tn Boyce had science and condition.
Oblivious of all else, they strained
and heaved. Dan was lurching to-
ward them, knife high, gurglng rath-
err than speaking: Buddy le' go! Lee
20! Lemme send that carbon whar
hit belons-ter the buzzards."
The wrestlers did not hear, or,
hearing. did not head. Buddy had
twice lifted Boyce clear. Intending
to throw him flat. Twice he had
been baked by a catlike twist as he